FT.—l

4

At the same date these funds were disposed of as follows: —

Sickness. The number of members sick during the year was 8,285, equal to 20-47 per 100 members at risk ; the sickness experienced was 63,774 weeks 4 days, equal to 7 weeks 4 days per sick member, and 1 week 3 days 11 hours for each member at risk. The ratio to the total of the sickness in the first six months was 60 per cent., in the second six months 8 per cent., and after twelve months 32 per cent. These averages and percentages are compared with those for previous years in Appendix I. Owing in great measure to differences in the proportion of members at the several ages, the averages in the several districts differ considerably; also in the several societies or Orders. The figures for the five larger Orders are found to be as follows: —

From the above it will be seen that the percentage of members sick for the year 1902 was highest in the A.0.F., while the average sickness per member at risk was highest in the M.U.1.0.0.F. In both cases it was lowest in the 1.0.0. F. In 1901 the percentage of members sick was 21-40, the average sickness per member sick was 7-35 weeks, and the average sickness per member at risk 1 week 4 days. Deaths. The number of members who died during 1902 was 319, equal to 7-88 per 1,000 members at risk, as against 7-20 in 1901 and 7-00 in 1900. The number of wives who died was 146, equal to 3-61 per 1,000 members, as against 3-94 for 1901 and 3-42 for 1900. Sick and Funeeal Funds. The contributions and entrance fees paid to Sick and Funeral Funds were £61,956 ; and, dividing by the mean number of members, the average is found to be £1 9s. Id., as against £1 Bs. 10d. for 1901. The interest and rent received by the lodges and central bodies amounted to £31,042, equal to 14s. 7d. per member, as against 15s. Id. per member for 1901. The amount of sickness benefit paid was £46,912, equal to £5 13s. 3d. per member sick, and an average of £1 2s. per member, as against £5 7s. Id. and £1 Is. 9d. respectively for 1901. Viewing the amount paid in relation to the weeks of sickness the average benefit per week is found to be 14s. 9d.; in 1901 the average was 2d. less. The funeral benefit paid amounted to £9,082 ; this is equal to 4s. 3d. per member, and is 6d. greater than the average for 1901. The total worth of the Sick and Funeral Funds at the beginning of 1902 being £718,475, and at the end of the year £755,300, the balance of gam on the transactions of the year was £36,825, or 17s. 3d. per member, as against £1 os. Id. in 1901.

At 31st Deoem! ier, 1902. Disposition of Funds. Percentage of Total Assets. Amount. On mortgage of freehold property .. .. . . Land and buildings In Post Office Savings-Bank In other banks on deposit Cash not bearing interest In Government and municipal debentures Other investments (including £1,476 over expenditure for management) Furniture, goods, &c. .. Other assets £ 536,723 129,265 51,686 43,800 32,877 22,928 10,742 63-42 15-27 611 5-18 3-88 2-71 • 1-27 10,702 7,592 1-26 090 846,315 100-00

Percentage Sick. Sicknei ss per Member. Katio (per Cent.) to Toti Sickness. Order. Sick. At Bisk. I First ; , Second 6 Months. 6 Months. After 12 Months. tf.U.I.O.O.F. :.o.o.f LO.F. J.A.O.D. .. :.o.B. 20-68 15-67 21-32 19-55 1948 Weeks. 8-58 6-32 7-55 5-37 7-10 Wks. dys. hrs. 1 4 16 0 5 23 i 1 8 Iβ 10 7 12 7 52 70 63 74 73 9 11 8 9 S 39 19 29 17 19 All Societies 8 32 20-47 7-67 1 3 11 60