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1928. NE W ZEAL A N D.

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES AND TRADE-UNIONS. FIFTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT BY THE REGISTRAR OF FRIENDLY SOCIETIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER, 1927.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly pursuant to the Friendly Societies Act, 1909, Section 9. and the Trade-unions Act, 1908, Section 16.

The Registrar or Friendly Societies to the Hon. the Minister. Sir, — Wellington, Ist July, 1928. I have the honour to submit the annual report of this Office for the year ended 31st December, 1927, in accordance with the provisions of the Friendly Societies Act, 1909, section 9, and the Tradeunions Act, 1908, section 16. I have, &c., R. WITHEFORI), Registrar of Friendly Societies. General. The membership of friendly societies shows an increase of 2,868 during the year, equal to 3-01 per cent., the number of members at 31st December being 98,251. The total accumulated funds of the societies increased from £3,337,683 to £3,526,717, a gain of £189,034, and the average capital per member from £35 6s. Bd. to £35 17s. lid. The total net interest credited to the Sick and Funeral Funds was £168,4.47, equal to a rate of £5 16s. 7d. per cent., as compared with £5 16s. 3d. per cent, during the previous year. The average contributions and interest per member credited to the Sick and Funeral Funds increased from £3 lis. 4d. to £3 lis. Bd.; the cost of sickness and funeral benefits per member was the same as in 1926 —viz., £1 12s. 9d. ; while the total net gain in these funds for the year amounted to £1 6s. 4d. per member. The number of members who died during the year was 776, equal to 7-98 per thousand members at risk, as against 8-02 per thousand in 1926. Registrations. There were registered during the past year twenty-three new branches, as follows : —M.U.1.0.0.F. : Omihi Lodge (Ashley District), Takapau Lodge, Hastings Juvenile Lodge (Hawke's Bay District), and Victoria Lodge (Otago District). 1.0.0. F. : Rangatoto Lodge, Hui Mai Rebekah Lodge, Kiwi Rebekah Lodge, Tutanekai Rebekah Lodge, Ngatoa Rebekah Lodge, Tui Rebekah Lodge, Lily of the Valley Rebekah Lodge, Harmony Rebekah Lodge, Ngatitoa Lodge, Arlington Rebekah Lodge, Golden West Rebekah Lodge, Hauraki Lodge, and Star of Hobsonville Lodge. U.A.O.D. : Acorn Lodge and Gonville Lodge (Grand Lodge of the North Island of New Zealand). 1.0. R. : Harmony Tent (New Zealand Central District). H.A.C.B.S. : St. Anthony's Branch (Huntly). P.A.F.S.A. : Light of Winton Lodge and Gilchrist Lodge. There were also four isolated friendly societies registered. The following registrations were cancelled by request : —1.0.0.F. : Te Kaponga- Rebekah Lodge. 1.0. R. : Rescue Tent (New Zealand Central District). H.A.C.B.S. : Waipawa Branch. The following changes of name were approved : —A.O.F. : " Court Richard Stephens " to " Court Star of Greendale " (Canterbury United District). W.M.C. : " Napier Working-men's Club " to " Cosmopolitan Club."

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