H.—l.

Begisteation of New Bules. 6. Begistration of a complete amendment of rules— i.e., of a complete set of new rules—was made in respect of the under-mentioned societies and branches: — M.U.1.0.0.F. —Gisborne, Whangarei, Franklin, Parnell, Good Intent, Warkworth, and Howick Lodges (Auckland District) ; Benevolent Lodge (North Canterbury District); Ashburton District; Otago District; Awarua and Lumsden Lodges (Invercargill District). I.O.O.F.—Grand Lodge. A.O.F. —Taranaki District; Hawke's Bay District; Wellington District; Courts Woodford and Thistle of the Forest (Canterbury United District). U.A.O.D. —District Grand Lodge of the North Island of New Zealand. W.M.C.—Sydenham and Addington, and Bichmond Clubs. I.S.S.—Dunedin United Friendly Societies' Dispensary. Begisteation of Paetial Amendment of Bules. 7. Begistration of a partial amendment of rules was made in respect of the under-mentioned societies and branches :— M.U.l.O.O.F.—Auckland District; Hawke's Bay District; Nelson District; Nelson Lodge, twice, (Nelson District) ; Motueka District; North Canterbury District ; Cromwell Lodge (Otago District); Invercargill District. I.O.O.F.—Grand Lodge. N.l.O.O.F.—District. A.O.F.—Nelson District, Court Perseverance (Nelson District). U.A.O.D.—Star of the West Lodge. S.D.T.—Grand Division. I.F.S.—Grey Valley Accident Belief Fund, Denniston Colliery Medical and Accident Belief Association. I.S.S.—New Zealand Foresters' Guarantee Association. Statistics foe 1897. 8. The number of lodges* whose returns are tabulated is 388, and of central bodies 34, distributed according to orders thus :—

9. In Tables 1., V., and VI., attached to this report, the respective district totals include the funds of the central bodies. 10. In the final column of Table I. is entered the average surplus or deficiency per member, as shown at the last valuation of the society. 11. In the monetary tables, except the first, shillings and pence have been omitted, there being no apparent advantage in publishing the values more accurately than as shown by the nearest pound. 12. The number of members of these lodges at the end of the year was 32,670. 13. The following balance-sheet gives their total funds (including those of the central bodies) as on the 31st December, 1897: — Funds. £ Assets. £ Sick and Funeral Funds .. .. .. 583,924 Investments at interest .. .. .. 480,631 Medical and Management Funds, goods, &c. .. 53,087 Value of land and buildings .. .. .. 117,511 Cash not bearing interest .. .. .. 26,486 Value of goods .. .. .. .. 10,634 Other assets .. .. .. .. 1,749 £637,011 £637,011 14. The following summary shows the disposition of the various investments at interest, together with the respective average rates per cent. : —

2

Society. Central Bodies. Lodges. Society. Central Bodies. Lodges. M.U.I.O.O.F. :.o.o.f. .. SJ.O.O.F... 3.U.O.O.F. ' V.O.F. V.O.S. 16 1 1 1 8 137 24 2 1 100 1 U.A.O.D. .. I.O.R. S.D.T. H.A.C.B.S. P.A.F.S.A. R.E.B.S. .. 2 2 1 1 1 54 32 10 13 12 2

Mode of Investment. Amount. | Bate per Cent. On deposit with the Post-Office Savings-Bank On deposit with other banks On mortgage of freehold property In Government and municipal debentures Other investments i £ 13,674 38,884 55,529 355,272 10,456 6,816 3-5 3-0 3-5 6-4 5-5 5-3 480,631 5-6 *. The word "lodge," when applied to all societies, is to be " court," " tent," &c, as used in the various Orders, mderstood as embracing the synonymous terms