H.— s.

In Table VI. the total sickness experience and also the sickness protracted beyond six months is shown for the societies grouped in respect of localities. In respect of the ages under 50 there is no considerable variation among these groups in the averages for the decade, and that which appears is probably due as much to other causes as to the influence of locality. As yet the statistics of the New Zealand friendly societies are not sufficiently extensive to justify their adoption as a basis of calculation in determining the relative proportion which ought to be maintained in the colony between contributions and benefits, and, until the time arrives when the experience of the past may be safely regarded as a guide for the future, societies will do well not to over-estimate the value of the advantages which they undoubtedly enjoy, but to act upon the advice of those who, possessing actuarial knowledge, are from time to time intrusted by them with the investigation[of their financial position, and who, when they utter warnings, are prompted solely by the desire to protect members from the grievous suffering which would result from the inability at any time on the part of a society to fulfil its engagements. TRADE UNIONS. During the year 1884 the Christchurch Operative Bootmakers' Society and the Dunedin Operative Bootmakers' Union were registered under "The Trade Union Act, 1878," and the registration of the Wellington Licensed Victuallers' Trade Union Association was cancelled at its own request, on the ground that the number of its members had fallen below the minimum number required under the rules. Edmund Mason, Friendly Societies' Registry Office, Registrar of Friendly Societies. 13th August, 1885.

SCHEDULES. SCHEDULE I. List of Registeeed Societies, with theie Registebed Beanches, as on the 31st Decembeb, 1884. I. Manchester Unity Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Beg. No. Beg. No. 13. Auckland District —Auckland. 77. Marlborough District —Blenheim. 1. Howick Lodge, Howick. 1. Marlborough Lodge, Blenheim. 2. Charles Bruce Lodge, Thames. 2. Renwick Lodge, Renwick. 3. Good Intent Lodge, Auckland. 4. Waikato Lodge, Thames. 25. Nelson District —Nelson. 5. Gisborne Lodge, Gisborne. 1. Howard Lodge, Nelson. 6. Whangarei Lodge, Whangarei. 2. General Cameron Lodge, Brightwater. 7. Franklin Lodge, Otahuhu. 3. Evening Star Lodge, Waimea West. 8. Ponsonby Lodge, Ponsonby. 4. Mansion of Peace Lodge, Wakefield. 9. Parnell Lodge, Parnell. 5. Travellers' Rest Lodge, Richmond. 19. Fountain of Friendship Lodge—Auckland. 41. Nelson Lodge—Nelson. 79. Alexandra Lodge—Alexandra. 81. Duke of Cambridge Lodge—Cambridge. 92. North Westland District —Reefton. 1. Reefton Lodge, Reefton. 196. Eawlce's Bay District —Napier, 2. Westport Lodge, Westport. 1. Meanee Lodge, Taradale. 3. Charleston Lodge, Charleston. 2. Abbotsford Lodge, Waipawa. 4. Alpine Lodge, Lyell. 3. Clive Lodge, Clive. 4. Hastings Lodge, Hastings. 40. Solcitilca District —Hokitika. 5. Victoria Lodge, Porangahau. 1. Hokitika Lodge, Hokitika. 6. Tavistock Lodge, Waipukurau. 2. Albert Lodge, Kumara. 7. Woodville Lodge, Woodville. 3. Waimea Lodge, Stafford. 8. Napier Lodge, Napier. 27. Greymouth Lodge—Greymouth. 45. Ross Lodge—Ross. 93. New Plymouth District —New Plymouth, 1. Excelsior Lodge, New Plymouth. 170a. Ashley District. 2. Waitara Lodge, Waitara. I. Leithfield Lodge, Leithfield. 3. Union Lodge, Hawera. 2. Cust Lodge, Oust. 125. Egmont Lodge—New Plymouth. 3. Woodend Lodge, Woodend. 4. Ohoka Lodge, Ohoka. 138. Wanganui Lodge—Wanganui. 5. Oxford Lodge, Oxford. 6. Amberley Lodge, Amberley. 7. Wellington District —Wellington. 7. Sefton Lodge, Sefton. 1. Combination Lodge, Johnsonville. 8. Waikari Lodge, Waikari. 2. Masterton Lodge, Masterton. 9. Rangiora Lodge, Rangiora. 3. Heart of Oak Lodge, Carterton. 10. Nil Desperandum Lodge, East Oxford. 4. Greytown Lodge, Greytown. 5. Unity Lodge, Featherston. 18. North Canterbury District —Christchurch. 6. St. George Lodge, Pahautanui. 1. Volunteer Lodge, Sydenham. 7. Kinapoura Lodge, Tawa Flat. 2. Perseverance Lodge, Woolston. 8. Petone Lodge, Petone. 3. Ashburton Lodge, Ashburton. 9. United Brethren Lodge, Kaikoura. 4. Benevolent Lodge, Christchurch. 10. Rose of Sharon Lodge, Upper Hutt. 5. Star of Waltham Lodge, Sydenham. 11. Britannia Lodge, Wellington. 6. Waterton Lodge, Waterton. 22. Antipodean Lodge—Wellington. 7. South Rakaia Lodge, South Rakaia. 63. Rose of the Valley Lodge—Lower Hutt. 8. Kaiapoi Lodge, Kaiapoi.

XI