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Rules. The rules of 52 societies and branches came under revision in one form or another for amendment during 1913. Complete amendments were registered during the year, viz. : — M.U.l.O.O.F.—Mastertoii (Wellington District); Otago District. I.O.O.F.—Unity, Wynyard. A.O.F. —Hawke's Bay District; Taranaki District; Star of Belfast (Canterbury United District). H.A.C.B.S.—St. Patrick's (Wellington), St. Aloysius, St. Da's. Sts. Peter and Paul's (Hutt), Sacred Heart (Thorndon), (New Zealand District). I.F.S.—Christchurch United Friendly Societies' Dispensary Partial Amendment of Rules registered. Partial amendments for the following were made : — M.U.l.O.O.F. —Wellington District*; Antipodean and Martinborough (Wellington District); Ashley District; Nelson District; Auckland District (2); Matamata (Auckland District); Ashburton District (2); Wanganui (Wanganui District); Perseverance (North Canterbury District); Lyttelton District; City of Norwich (Lyttelton District); South Canterbury District (3); Pleasant Point, Timaru, and Makikihi (South Canterbury District); Dunback (Otago District); Southland District ; Balfour (Southland District). B.U.O.O.F.—Aorangi Lodge. A.O.F.—Hawke's Bay District; Pride of Eltham (Taranaki District); Wellington District; Canterbury United District. U.A.O.l).—Grand Lodge of the North Island of New Zealand (3); Grand Lodge of Canterbury. I.O.R.—New Zealand District: New Zealand Central District. W.M.C.—Petone Working-men's Club and Literary Institute (2); Napier Working-men's Club. S.A.S. —Wellington United Friendly Societies' Dispensary. I.F.S. —Wellington Corporation Tramways and Electric Lighting Friendly Society. Annual Returns. I am pleased to report that the annual returns for the year ended 31st December, 1913, have reached this office in greater numbers and more promptly than hitherto. The tables contain a record number of returns. Many societies, however, failed to strictly comply with the Act, which requires the returns to reach me on or before the 31st March. The number outstanding at that, date in each society was as follows : — Annual Returits Outstanding at 31st March, 1914Name of Society. Central „ , MU.1.0.0.F.— Body. Branches. Auckland District ... ... ... ... ... ... 7 New Plymouth District ... ... ... ... ... 0 Wanganui District ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 North Westland District ... ... ... ... 1 North Canterbury District ... ... ... ... 1 G South Canterbury District ... ... ... ... ... 1 Otago District ... ... ... ... ... . 4 1.0.0. F. ol' New Zealand ... ... ... ... ... 1 42 N.1.0.0.F. ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 A.O.F.— Hawke's Bayi District ... ... ... ... 1 Taranaki District ... ... ... ... ... 2 Wellington* District ... ... ... ... 4 Nelson District ... ... ... ... ... 2" South Canterbury District ... ... ... ... 2 ■** United Otago District ... ... ... ... 2 Courts separately registered ... ... ... ] U.A.O.D.— Grand Lodge of the North Island of New Zealand ... 7 Grand Lodge of Canterbury ... ... ... ... 2 Grand Lodge of Otago and Southland ... ... 4 1.0.R.— New Zealand District ... ... ... ... 1 New Zealand Central District... ... .., ... ... :j S.D.T. —Divisions separately registered ... ... 1 H.A.C.B.S. ... ... ... ... ... 1 24 P.A.F.S.A. ... ... ... ... ... 1 1.F.5., &c. ... ... ... ... ... ... 21 4 146 150 If these returns had been sent forward as promptly as those which conformed to the Act it would have been possible to present this report on the first day of the session,