H.—2

4

20. The following balance-sheet gives their total funds (including those of the central bodies) as at the 31st December, 1888: — Funds. £ s. d. Assets. £ s. d. Sick and funeral funds .. .. 355,979 6 1 Investments at interest .. .. 260,267 0 0 Medical and management funds, goods, Value of land and buildings .. .. 110,063 0 0 &c. .. .. .. .. 47,775 2 3 Cash not bearing interest .. .. 21,130 5 3 Value of goods .. .. .. 11,015 6 1 Other assets .. .. .. .. 1,278 17 0 Total .. .. .. £403,754 8 4 Total .. .. .. £403,754 8 4 21. The following summary shows the disposition of the various investments at interest) together with the respective average rates per cent: —

22. Averages and percentages deduced from the tabulated returns for the years 1880-88 are given in Appendix I. 23. It has been represented to the Eegistrar that the addition of a table showing the membership and funds of societies as at the end of the year immediately preceding the date of issue of the annual report is desirable. Although, owing to the fact that some returns are not supplied punctually, and that some contain errors which cannot be corrected in time for publication, it is not possible to compile such a table in a complete and accurate form, it has been decided to comply with the request as far as possible. It must therefore be understood that the table (Appendix IX.) is issued subject to correction. For the same reason totals have been omitted. If the annual returns were furnished with promptness and accuracy it would be possible to append to each report complete tables of statistics for the year ended the 31st day of December last past. It may, however, be observed that the general interest and value attaching to the statistics of mortality and sickness is not diminished by the fact that their issue is somewhat delayed. Although each additional year's experience is an important link in the chain of evidence which is being collected, yet the annual extension of the area of observation is too slight to render its tabulation a matter of special urgency. Valuations. 24. The valuations of the under-mentioned societies were made as at the 31st December, 1888 :— M.U.l.O.O.F.—Hokitika District, Invercargill District. U.A.O.D.—Lodges Star of Ashburton, Bishop, Brunner. I.O.E.—Star of Hope Tent. New Zealand E.E.B.S. 25. Summaries of the results of the valuations are given in two tables (Appendix VI.). Table A shows— 1. Number of members at the date of valuation ; 2. Present value of benefits; 3. Present value of contributions to benefit funds; 4. Value of accumulated benefit funds ; 5. Surplus or deficiency; 6. Average surplus or deficiency per member; 7. Average age of members ; 8. Average annual contribution, per member, to benefit funds ; 9. Average value, per member, of accumulated benefit funds ; 10. Eate of interest, per annum, credited to benefit funds (average for quinquennium); 11. Surplus or deficiency at previous valuation (average per member). Table B shows— 1. Eatio to liabilities of— (a) Present value of contributions to benefit funds ; (b) Value of accumulated benefit funds; (c) Total assets ; (d) Surplus or deficiency ; 2. Causes of surplus or deficiency. For convenience of publication the causes assigned for the surplus or deficiency disclosed by valuation are indicated in Table B by means of letters referring to a list prefixed to the table. Trade Unions. Begistration. 26. The Southland Fishermen's, Oystermen's, and Lumpers' Union, the Oamaru Operative Bakers' Association, and the Grey District Trades and Labour Union of the Colony of New Zealand were registered under "The Trade Union Act, 1878," during the year 1889. Amendment of Bules. 27. Complete amendments of rules were registered on the application of the Federated Seamen's Union of New Zealand, the Wellington Operative Bootmakers' Society, and the New Zealand Federated Bootmakers' Unions; also a partial amendment of the rules of the Operative Bakers' Association of Dunedin. 28. A list of registered trade unions as at the 31st December, 1889, is given in Appendix VII. 29. Statistics relating to trade unions, extracted from the latest returns received, are given in Appendix VIII. Edmund Mason, June, 1890, Eegistrar of Friendly Societies and Trade Unions.

Mode of Investment. Amount. Kate per Cent. )n deposit with the Post-Office Savings-bank )n deposit with other banks _>n mortgage of freehold property !n Government and municipal debentures )ther investments f £ 10,035 6,932 41,284 1.79,803 10,744 11,469 4-5 4-0* 4-7 7-6 6-2 0-8 Total £200,207 6-8 * Interest on sums exceeding £-200 in the P.O.S.B. is at the rate ot 4 per cent.