H.—l

7

The self-help afforded to the members of these societies by their voluntary combination is obtained by adding the sums disbursed in providing the three chief benefits assured—namely, sickpay, funeral benefits, and medical attendance and medicine. The total sum is found to be £89,387, and the receipt thereof, instead of lowering the independence or self-respect of any member as charitable donations would do, is felt to be but the honestly earned reward of the member's own prudence and forethought. Valuations. The Friendly Societies Act is based on the assumption that men who combine for mutual aid may be trusted voluntarily to take such action as may be found necessary to secure the solvency and permanence of their institutions. By means of periodical investigation the State has provided that, if any loss is suffered through errors in finance, members shall not be able to plead ignorance of their society's unsound position. The values of the prospective assets and liabilities have been calculated on the general mortality experience of the colony, on the sickness experience of New Zealand friendly societies up to age 70, and on English sickness-rates (Sutton's Friendly Societies, 1876-80) above that age, the rate of interest assumed being 4 per cent. But in the future it may be found necessary to modify this rate, for reasons stated in the paragraph relating to rate of interest realised. Valuations were made of the following societies : — M.U.I.O.O.F.—Wellington District: Wellington District Widow and Orphans Fund; Marlborough District. U.A.O.D.— Bud of Hope Lodge. Summarised results of the valuations are given in two tables A and B (Appendix V.). Societies, on application to the Eegistrar, may have their valuations made free of cost. The experience of the societies valued in the office during the year represents 7,752-5 years of life at risk. This experience has been grouped with that published in tabular form in last year's report, and the combined results are exhibited hereunder.

Sickness and Mortality Experience of Societies valued in the Office (Men Members only).

The following table shows the ratio to the total of the sickness in the first six months, in the second six months, and after twelve months respectively, in quinquennial age-periods : —

Averages and percentages deduced from the tabulated returns for 1881-1901 are given in Appendix I. Information as to the forms kept in the Eegistry Office for the convenience of societies, and sent free on application, is to be found in Appendix IV,

Sickness (Weeks). Number of Deaths. Nil! Age of Members. Years of Life at Risk. First Six Months. Second Six After Twelve Months. Months. • Total. ° f b^r|ofWi V es. Under 25 25-30 30-35 35-40 40-45 45-50 50-55 55-60 60-65 65-70 .. 70 and upwards .. 33,244-0 34,783-0 31,949-5 28,199-0 23,124-0 17,773-0 13,764-5 9,024-5 4,886-5 2,063-5 993-5 23,337 22,066 21,063 19,693 19,343 18,608 18,278 14,359 9,192 4,876 2,897 2,051 2,243 1,722 2,730 1,674 3,616 1,734 4,028 2,379 6,778 2,348 8,605 3,244 11,734 2,887 14,937 2,275 17,152 1,539 13,907 1,197 13,918 2,243 2,730 3,616 4,028 6,778 8,605 11,734 14,937 17,152 13,907 13,918 27,631 26,518 26,353 25,455 28,500 29,561 33,256 32,183 28,619 20,322 18,012 27,631 26,518 26,353 25,455 28,500 29,561 33,256 32,183 28,619 20,322 18,012 144 150 159 132 134 154 192 163 118 82 71 16 64 93 113 107 86 95 . 72 41 22 19 All ages 1,499 728 199,805-0 173,712 23,050 99,648 296,410

Ratio (per Cent.) to Total Sickness. Age. First Six Months. Second Six Months. After Twelve Months. Under 25 25-30 30-35 35-40 40-45 45-50 50-55 55-60 60-65 65-70 70 and upwards .. 85 83 80 77 68 63 55 45 32 24 16 7 7 6 7 8 8 10 9 8 8 7 8 10 14 16 24 29 35 46 60 68 77