H.—l.

Increases. —The forward trend in membership and funds that was remarked upon in the last report has been maintained, the net increase in members being the largest so far recorded.

Per Capita Funds. —As in the previous year, the substantial increase in membership has been responsible for a reduction in the average capital per member, which now stands at £45 7s. Id. Interest— Net interest credited to the Sick and Funeral Funds amounted to £177,761, equal to a rate of £4 6s. lid. per cent., as compared with £4 lis, sd. per cent, during 1936. Sick and Funeral Funds. —The average contributions and interest per member credited to the Sick and Funeral Funds decreased from £3 lis. sd. to £3 9s. 7d., and the cost of sickness and funeral benefits from £1 19s. 2d. to £1 19s. when compared with the previous year. The total net gains in these particular funds for the year amounted to £1 3s. sd. per member. Deaths. —The number of deaths was 1,007, equal to 9-07 per thousand members at risk, as against 951 and 8-95 respectively during 1936. Registrations. There were registered during the past year twenty new branches, as follows—M.U.l.O.O.F. : Loyal Taneatua Lodge, Loyal Taipuha Lodge, Loyal Te Puke Lodge, Loyal Opotiki Lodge, and Loyal Moerewa Lodge (Auckland District). 1.0.0. F. : Waverley Lodge, Hiwa Rebekah Lodge,' Rose of Waikare Rebekah Lodge, and Mountain Spa Lodge. A.O.F. : Court Te Toa and Court Pride of Raglan (Auckland District), Court Lindsay, Juvenile (Hawke's Bay District). H.A.C.8.5.: St. Therese of the Little Flower's Branch (Ngaruawahia), St. Peter's Branch (Beckenham), St. Francis' Branch (Marton), St. Teresa's Branch (Riccarton), Sacred Heart Branch (Eketahuna), St. Denis's Branch (Woolston-Sumner), and St. Patrick's Branch (Fairlie) (New Zealand District). G.U.0.0.F. : Loyal Coronation Branch. There were registered also four isolated friendly societies—Buller Medical Association, Lewis Pass Maruia Road Medical Association, The Public Service Emergency Aid Society, and The New Zealand Medical Benevolent Society. The following registrations were cancelled by request —1.0.0. F.: Southern Star Lodge. 1.F.5.: Inangahua Miners' Accident Relief Association. The following amalgamation was registered—P.A.F.S.A. : St. Albans Lodge with Alexandra Lodge. The following change of name was approved—H.A.C.B.S. : " St. Joseph's Branch " to " St. Joseph's Branch, No. 881, Te Aroha " (Northern (N.Z.) District). The position of the Orders in respect of registrations is shown by the following summary as at the beginning and end of 1937.

2

1936. 1937. Net Increase. Increase per Cent. Membership .. .. .. 108,059 112,888 4,829 4-47 Accumulated funds .. .. .. £4,956,948 £5,120,125 £163,177 3-29

Registrations Registrations Name °' 0rder - 1st January, Established. dosed. 1937. 1937. Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows .. 262 5 .. 267 Independent Order of Odd Fellows .. .. .. 218 4 1 221 National lndependent Order of Oddfellows .. .. 3 .. .. 3 British United Order of Oddfellows .. .. . . 1 .. j Ancient Order of Foresters .. .. .. .. 162 3 . jgg United Ancient Order of Druids .. .. .. .. 148 .. 148 Independent Order of Rechabites .. .. .. 68 .. . , 68 Order of Sons of Temperance .. .. .. .. 10 .. .. 10 Sons and Daughters of Temperance .. .. .. 1 .. f j Hibernian-Australasian Catholic Benefit Society .. .. 88 7 .. 95 Protestant Alliance Friendly Society of Australasia .. 15 .. 1 14 Grand United Order of Oddfellows .. .. .. 13 1 14 Isolated friendly societies .. .. .. .. 73 4 ] 76 Working-men's clubs .. .. .. .. . . 13 .. _ 13 International Order of Good Templars .. .. .. 11 .. ., H Specially authorized societies .. .. .. .. 15 .. .. Jg Totals .. .. .. .. 1,101 24 3 1,122