H.—lB.

1902. NEW ZEALAND.

OLD-AGE PENSIONS: REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED THE 31st MARCH, 1902.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly pursuant to Section 62 of " The Old-age Pensions Act, 1898."

The Begistbab of Old-age Pensions to the Eight Hon. the Colonial Teeasueeb. Sib, — Oid-age Pensions Office, Wellington, 17th July, 1902. I have the honour to furnish the following statement of particulars required for presentation to Parliament in terms of section 62 of " The Old-age Pensions Act, 1898," for the year ended the 31st March, 1902 :— The number of pensions in force on the 31st March, 1902, inclusive of 1,055 granted to •Maoris, was 12,776, representing a yearly payment of £217,192. During the year ended the 31st March, 1902, 1,694 new pensions were granted, of which 167 were granted to Maoris ; 935 pensioners died, of whom 99 were Maoris; 206 pension-certificates, of which 48 were held by Maoris, were cancelled ; and 182 pensions, of which 76 were granted to Maoris, lapsed through non-application for renewal. The cancelled certificates include 118 renewal claims by Europeans and 34 by Maoris which were refused. The total amount paid in respect of pensions during the year was £207,468 Bs. sd. This amount includes £41 os. sd. charged to a vote provided for the purpose of paying forfeited instalments in special cases, and portions of instalments accruing up to date of death. The total amount of absolutely forfeited instalments during the year was £2,998 10s. During the year 510 pension-cartificates, of which 58 were held by Maoris, were transferred from one old-age pension district to another. The cost of administration was £2,535 14s. 2d. Tables are attached showing —(1) Number and annual value of pensions granted to Europeans and Maoris in force on the 31st March, 1902, in each old-age pension district; (2) number of oldage pensioners maintained by charitable institutions throughout the colony as at the 31st March, 1902, together with amounts paid to each pensioner after deduction of maintenance ; (3) number of pensions granted since Act came into operation, number of deaths, certificates cancelled, and pensions lapsed during each year, and number of pensions in force at end of each year. J. Eman Smith, Eegistrar Old-age Pensions.