H.-17

2

Eegisteation op New Eules. 5. Eegistration of a complete amendment of rules — i.e., of a complete set of new rules—was made in respect of the undermentioned societies and branches : — M.U.l.O.O.F.—Petone Lodge and Widow and Orphan Fund (Wellington District), Kaiapoi Lodge (North Canterbury District). A.O.F.—Auckland District, Court Eobin Hood (Nelson District), and Canterbury United District. I.O.E.—Unity Tent, New Plymouth (New Zealand Central District). S.D.T.—Grand Division. H.A.C.B.S.—New Zealand District. I.F.S.—Grey Valley Accident Belief Fund. Eegisteation op Paetial Amendment op Eules. 6. Eegistration of a partial amendment of rules was made in respect of the under-mentioned societies and branches :— M.U.l.O.O.F.—Gisborne Lodge (Auckland District), Napier Lodge (Hawke'sßay District), Manaia Lodge (New Plymouth District), Wellington District, Nelson District, Nelson Lodge (Nelson District), Ashley District, Otago District. I.O.O.F.—Pioneer of Southland Lodge. A.O.F.—Hawke's Bay District, Taranaki District, Nelson District, Court Inangahua (Nelson District), Court Southern Cross (South Canterbury District), United Otago District. I.S.S.—Sydenham and Suburban Co-operative Money Club.

Statistics for 1891. 7. The number of lodges whose returns are tabulated is 365, and of central bodies 31, distributed according to orders as follows:—

* The word "lodge," when applied to all societies, is to be understood as embracing the synonymous terms " court," " tent," &c, as used in the various orders. 8. In Tables 1., V., and VI, attached to this report, the respective district totals include the funds of the central bodies. 9. In the final column of Table I. is entered the average surplus or deficiency per member, as shown at the last valuation of the society. 10. In the monetary tables, except the first, shillings and pence have been omitted, there being no apparent advantage in publishing the values more accurately than as shown by the nearest pound. 11. The number of members of these lodges at the end of the year was 27,372. 12. The following balance-sheet gives their total funds (including those of the central bodies) as at the 31st December, 1891:— Funds. £ Assets. £ Sick and Funeral Funds .. .. .. 425,070 Investments at interest .. .. .. 329,359 Medical and Management Funds, goods, &c. .. 51,063 Value of land and buildings .. .. .. 116,423 Cash not bearing interest .. .. .. 18,878 Value of goods .. .. .. .. 10,163 Other assets .. .. .. .. 1,310 £476,133 ' £476,133

13. The following summary shows the disposition of the various investments at interest, together with the respective average rates per cent.:—

* Interest on sums exceeding £200 in the P. 0.5.8. is at the rate of 4 per cent.

Society. Central Bodies. Lodges. Society. Central Bodies. Lodges. M.U.I.O.O.F. I.O.O.F. .. N.I.O.O.F... B.U.O.O.F. A.O.F. A.O.S. 15 1 1 1 8 131 22 2 1 100 1 U.A.O.D. .. I.O.E. S.D.T. .. H.A.C.B.S. P.A.F.S.A. E.E.B.S... 2 1 1 1 37 31 12 14 12 2

Mode of Investment. Amount. Rate per Cent. Dn deposit with the Post-Office Savings-Bank }n deposit with other banks }n mortgage of freehold property in Government and municipal debentures Dther investments .. .. .. ( £ 9,150 19,701 57,253 221,585 12,320 9,350 4'5 4-0* 4-8 7-7 6'4 6-6 £329,359 6'5