27. (1) In case of the absence or illness of the president, the vice-president shall have the rights and powers of the president, and may sign all notes, bills, debentures and other instruments, and perform all acts which, by the regulations and by-laws of the company, or by its charter, must be signed, performed and done by the president.
(2) The directors may, at any meeting, require the secretary to enter such absence or illness among the proceedings of such meeting.
(3) A certificate thereof, signed by the secretary, shall be delivered to any person requiring the same, on payment to the treasurer of $1, and such certificate shall be evidence of such absence or illness, at and during the period in the said certificate mentioned.