H.—la

II

4. The secretary of Court Star of Helensville was convicted of embezzlement of the court funds, and sentenced to six months' imprisonment. This is the only case of loss of societies' funds through fraud reported for the year. 5. As a matter of interest to members of friendly societies it may be mentioned that in January of the current year was issued the first number of "The Australasian Odd Fellow and Friendly Societies' Record," which ought to prove a convenient and useful medium for the interchange of opinions among the various societies established in these colonies, as well as for the circulation of valuable information specially bearing upon their well-being, for promoting unity of action among them, and for creating and sustaining a general interest in friendly societies' work. REGISTRATION OP SOCIETIES AND BRANCHES. 6. The total number of registrations during the year was 25, distributed as follows: — Manchester Unity Independent Order of Odd Fellows ... ... 2 Lodges. Independent Order of Odd Fellows (American)... ... ... 1 Lodge. Ancient Order of Foresters ... ... ... ... ... 9 Courts. United Ancient Order of Druids ... ... 4 Lodges. Independent Order of Eechabites ... ... ... ... 2 Tents. Sons and Daughters of Temperance ... ... ... ... 2 Divisions. Isolated friendly society ... ... ... ... ... 1. Working-Men's Club ... ... ... ... ... 1. Independent Order of Good Templars... ... ... ... 1 Lodge. Isolated specially-authorized societies ... ... ... 2. A detailed list of societies and branches at the end of 1885 is given in Schedule 1., appended to this report. CONVERSION OP REGISTERED SOCIETIES INTO BRANCHES. 7. During the year 1885 the undermentioned, which had been on the register as distinct societies, were re-registered as branches of their respective districts : — Manchester Unity Independent Order of Odd Felloios. Egmont Lodge (New Plymouth District). City of Norwich Lodge (Lyttelton District). Antipodean Lodge (Wellington District). Good Intent Lodge (Lyttelton District). Ancient Order of Foresters. Court Pride of Parnell (Auckland District). | Court Perseverance (Nelson District). At the end of 1881 there were 40 branches of registered societies which retained the independent registry accorded under the Acts of 1856 and 1867. At the end of 1885 there were 19 only. CANCELLATIONS OP REGISTRY. 8. The registry of the undermentioned societies and branches was cancelled on the ground that they had ceased to exist: — Alexandra Lodge, Manchester Unity Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Pride of the Valley Lodge, Manchester Unity Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Southbridge Lodge, Manchester Unity Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Doyleston Lodge, Manchester Unity Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Tai Tapu Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Court Star of Ashburton, Ancient Order of Foresters. Court Springfield, Ancient Order of Foresters. Oxford Lodge, United Ancient Order of Druids. Ocean Pride Tent, Independent Order of Eechabites. Helpmeet Tent, Independent Order of Eechabites. Eoyal Victoria Lodge, Protestant Alliance Friendly Society of Australasia. Invercargill Working-Men's Club. East Eoad Working-Men's Club. 9. Instruments of dissolution were registered in respect of— Court Waimea, Ancient Order of Foresters. Kaeo and Whangaroa Friendly Society. Southland Working-Men's Union. 10. The following amalgamations were registered : — Halswell Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, with Addington Lodge,* Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Lodges Athelstan, Campbell, and Dunstan, United Ancient Order of Druids, with Pioneer Lodge, United Ancient Order of Druids. St. Joseph's Branch (Christchurch), Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society, with St. Patrick's Branch (Christchurch), Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society. REGISTRATION OP NEW RULES. 11. Complete amendments of rules were registered on the application of the following :— Manchester Unity Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Egmont Lodge (New Plymouth District). St. George Lodge (Wellington District). Antipodean Lodge (Wellington District), City of Norwich Lodgo (Lyttelton District). Petone Lodge (Wellington District). Good Intent Lodge (Lyttelton District).

* Name since changed; now registered as the Washington Lodge.