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1904. NEW ZEALAND.

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES (TWENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT BY THE REGISTRAR OF).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly pursuant to " The Friendly Societies Act, 1882," Section 5, Subsection (8).

By the statute above mentioned the Eegistrar is required every year to " lay before the General Assembly a report of his proceedings and of the principal matters transacted by him, and of the valuations returned to or caused to be made by the Eegistrar during the year preceding." TRANSACTIONS DUEING THE YBAE 1903. Begistration op Societies and Branches. The total number of registrations during the year 1903 was 15, distributed as follows : M.U.1.0.0.F.,* 1 society; U.A.0.D., 7 lodges; H.A.C.8.5., 3 branches; 1.F.5., 2 societies; Juvenile Friendly Societies, 1; W.M.C, 2 clubs. In the following table the progress of registration during the year is shown by a comparison of the number of societies and branches on the register as at the beginning and end of the year respectively.

A complete list of societies and branches on the register as at the end of 1903 is given in Appendix 11. Complete Amendments of Eules Eegisteeed. The following societies and branches registered complete amendments of their rules during the year, viz. : — M.U.1.0.0.F. —North Westland District and Reefton Lodge, South Canterbury District and Tiinaru Lodge ; Ashburton District. A.O.F.—Court Sir Geoge Grey, Wellington. W.M.C. —Wellington Working-men's Club and Literary Institute, and Ashburton Club and Mutual School of Arts. S.A.S.—lvy of Linwood Co-operative Money Club, and Westport City Band.

• LIST OP ABBREVIATIONS MADE USE OP IN THIS REPORT. A.0.P., Ancient Order of Foresters. A.0.5., Ancient Order of Shepherds. 8.U.0.0.P., British United Order of Odd Fellows. H.A.C.8.y., Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society. 1.F.5., Isolated Friendly Society. 1.0. G.T., Independent Order of Good Templars. 1.0.0. F., Independent Order of Odd Fellows (American Constitution). 1.0. R., Independent Order of Rechabices. M.U.1.0.0.F., Manchester Unity Independent Order of Odd Fellows. N.1.0.0.F., National Independent Order of Odd Fellows. P.A.F.S'a., Protestant Allianoe Friendly Society of Australasia. R.E.8.5., Railway Employees' Benefit Society. S.A.S., Specially Authorised Society. S.D.T., Sons and Daughters of Temperanoe. U.A.0.D., United Ancient Order of Druids W.M.C, Working-men's Club.

I—H. 1.

Name or Class of Society. Statement as on the 1st January, 1903. Statement as on the Slst December, 1903. M.U.I.O.O.P. I.O.O.P. N.I.O.O.F. .. B.U.O.O.F. .. A.O.P. A.O.S. U.A.O.D. I.O.R. S.D.T. H.A.G.B.S. .. P.A.P.S.A. .. R.E.B.S. I.P.S. W.M.C. I.O.G.T. 1 society, 16 districts, 167 lodges, 1 juvenile lodge, and 1 widow and orphan society 1 grand lodge and 39 lodges 1 district and 2 lodges 1 lodge 8 districts, 123 courts, and 2 juvenile courts 1 sanctuary 3 grand lodges and 70 lodges 2 districts and 41 tents 1 grand division and 10 divisions 1 district and 22 branches 1 grand lodge and 10 lodges I society II societies 15 clubs 1 grand lodge, 53 subordinate lodges, and 2 temples 24 societies 1 society, 17 districts, 167 lodges, 1 juvenile lodge, and 1 widow and orphan society. 1 grand lodge and 39 lodges. 1 district and 2 lodges. 1 lodge. 8 districts, 121 courts, and 3 juvenile courts. 1 sanctuary. 3 grand lodges and 77 lodges. 2 districts and 41 tents. 1 grand division and 10 divisions. 1 district and 25 branches. 1 grand lodge and 10 lodges. 1 society. 12 societies. 17 clubs. 1 grand lodge, 53 subordinate lodges, and 2 temples. 23 societies. S.A.S.