H.—l.

Complete Amendments of Rules registered. Complete amendments of the rules of the following societies and branches were registered during the year, viz :— M.U.1.0.0.F. —New Zealand Branch, Heart of Oak and Rose of Sharon Lodges (Wellington District), Hawke's Bay District, Southland District, Wellington District Widow and Orphan Society. I.O.O.F.—Southern Cross Lodge. U.A.O.D.—Grand Lodge of Canterbury. 1.0.R.—-Hope of Wellington Tent (New Zealand Central District). I.F.S.—United Fire Brigades Accident Assurance Society of New Zealand. W.M.C. —Wellington Working Men's Club, South Wairarapa Working Men's Club. Partial Amendments of Rules registered. Partial amendments for the following were made : — M.U.l.O.O.F.—Britannia Lodge (2) (Wellington District), Nelson Lodge (Nelson District), Auckland District, Fountain of Friendship and Matamata Lodges (Auckland District), Renwick Lodge (Marlborough District), North Canterbury District,'" Otago*District (2), Southland District, St. George Lodge (Southland District). I.O.O.F.—Grand Lodge of New Zealand. A.O.F.—Court Stratford (Taranaki District), Canterbury United District, United Otago District, Star of Canterbury (Canterbury United District). A.O.S.—Sanctuary Epuni. U.A.O.D.—Grand Lodge of Canterbury. I.O.R.—New Zealand District. I.F.S. —Denniston Collieries Medical and Accident Relief Association (2), Waikato Medical and Accident Society, Millerton Colliery Medical and Accident Relief Association, Waihi United Friendly Societies Hospital Conference, Auckland United Friendly Societies Dispensary, Auckland United Friendly Societies Medical Institute. S.A.S.— Sydenham and Suburban Co-operative Money Club. Cancellation by Dissolution, Etc. Registration of the following were cancelled :— M.U.I.O.O.F.—South Rakaia Lodge of the Ashburton District. I.O.R.—Oroua Tent of the New Zealand Central District. S.A.S.—Auckland Caledonian Society. Conversions. A.O.F.—Court Waireka was converted into a branch of the Taranaki District. Annual Returns. The number of returns received for the year 1908 is about equal to the previous year—that is, he number has not increased in proportion to the increased number of societies and branches required by law to furnish the statement. Several societies have, however, improved, particularly the Grand Lodge of the North Island of New Zealand, U.A.0.D., and I am pleased to note that the returns generally show signs of more careful preparation and checking than has hitherto been the practice. The tables were closed very early this year, and include the returns of 505 lodges as compared with 516 the previous year, but on that occasion a month longer grace was allowed. The tables include the statistics of 577 societies and lodges, there being altogether 670 due. The returns outstanding on the 30th April, one month after due date, were as follows :—

During the year I had to proceed under section 12 (6) of " The Friendly Societies Act, 1882," against the secretary of the Timaru Friendly Societies Dispensary for failure to furnish the annual return as required by the Act, A fine of £3, with costs £2 11s., was imposed.

2

Name of Society. Xd™. 1 B ™» cb - Name of Society. Central Body. Branches. M.U.I.O.O.F.— New Plymouth District Motueka District.. Ashley District North Canterbury District I.O.O.F. of New Zealand A.O.F.— Auckland District Hawke's Bay District Wellington District U.A.O.D.— Grand Lodge of North Island of New. Zealand Grand Lodge of Otago and Southland 1 1 1 1 5 21 I.O.E.— New Zealand District New Zealand Central District S.D.T.— Progress Division H.A.C.B.S.— New Zealand District Isolated Friendly Societies .. Working Men's Clubs Specially Authorised Societies 1 1 1 6 1 17 4 4 5 1 8 3 5 4 2 Total 4 89