H.—l9a.

1880. NEW ZEALAND.

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES. (VALUATION OF THE OTAGO DISTRICT, M.U., I.O.O.F.)

Laid on the Table iy the Hon. Mr. Dick, with leave of the Souse.

The Begisteab, of Feiendlt Societies to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet. Sib, — Eegistrar-General's Office, Wellington, 27th August, 1880. A short report on the valuation of the OtagoDistrict M.U., 1.0.0.]?., has been received; and, from its great importance, I recommend that it be laid before Parliament. It will be observed that there is an actuarial deficiency in the funds of all the lodges but one. This fact is the more significant when it is borne in mind that it was from certain lodges of this District that a petition emanated for an alteration of the Act prohibiting societies from using for management purposes any of the interest accruing on the investment of benefit funds. The state of matters disclosed is certainly very serious, and proves the insufficiency of the scale of contributions adopted by this District. I have, &c, ¥m. E. E. Beoww, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Eegistrar of Friendly Societies.