H.—l.

warded after the 31st December, the Department would be in a position to effect the reform. The result has been most satisfactory, and the tables for 1906 will be found with those for 1905 in the appendices. At the end of April the number of returns received for 1906 was 529, and at the end of May 560, out of a possible total of 634. The tables were closed with 574 returns furnished for five months, against 586 included in the 1905 tables furnished in fifteen months. The promptitude of district secretaries in forwarding the branch returns to the Department during January, February, and March assured the success of the undertaking, and with the improving accounting methods of the leading societies the difficulties should be lessened in future. The following societies forwarded all returns in time for inclusion in the report:— M.U.1.0.0.F.— Otago District. A.O.S.— Auckland District. Southland District. Sanctuary Sir George Grey. Hawke's Bay Distriot. N.1.0.0F.— U.A.O D.— New Plymouth District. Auckland Provincial Distriot. Grand Lodge of Canterbury. Wanganui DUtriot. 8.U.0.0.F. — Lodges separately registered. Wellington District. Aorangi Lodge. 1.0.R.— Maryborough Distriot. A.O.F.— New Z»aland Distriot. Nelson Distriot. Hawke's Bay District. Star of Hope Tent. Motueka District. Taranaki District. S.D.T.— North Westland Distriot. Nelson District. National Division. Hokitika District. Canterbury United District. Divisions separately registered. Ashley District. South Canterbury District. R.E.B.S.— Lyttelton District. - United Otago Distriot. Otago Railway Employees' Benefit Aehburton District. Court Coromandel. Sooiety. South Canterbury District. The first return to hand was received on 2nd January from Court Robin Hood, A.0.F., Nelson District. On the 31st May, two months after due date, the following societies' returns were outstanding:—

Membership and Funds. The following table shows the increased membership in 501 lodges which furnished returns for 1905, and the increase in 500 lodges during 1906: —

The increase during 1905 was almost 6 per cent., and during 1906 it was 6'ol, as compared with 4J per cent, for 1904. The total funds of the societies and branches as on the 31st December, 1906, amounted to £1,057,821 7s. 2d., made up as follows: Sick and Funeral Funds (inclusive of amounts transferred to special funds out of surplus), £975,137 os. 2d.; Medical and Management Funds, goods, &c, £82,884 7s. Dividing the total funds by the number of members at the end of the year, it is found the average capital per member is now £19 13s. 6d. ,

* The word " lodge," when applied to all societies, is to be understood as embracing the synonymous terms court," " tent," &0., as used in the various orders.

3

M.U.I.O.O.P.— Auckland District North Canterbury District I.O.O.F. of New Zealand A.O.F.— Auckland District Hawke's Bay District Taranaki District WellinRton District Court Star of Tuapeka, U.A.O.D.— Grand Lodge of North Island Grand Lodge of Canterbury Society. Central Bodies. B rancBes - :: I 7 1 1 1 2 1 Society. Grand Lodge of Otago and Southland I.O.B.New Zealand Central District H.A.C.B.S.— New Zealand District P.A.F.S.A.— Grand Oounoil of New Zealand .. Isolated Friendly Societies Working-men's Cluba Specially Authorised Societies Central Bodies. Branches. 2 5 1 16 1 8 4 10 15 1 Total 1 73

Number of members, 1st January Number admitted by— Initiation, &c. Clearance 6,352 402 1905. 48,230 1905. ■ 6,564 425 191 Hi. 50,710 6,989 54,984 57,699 Number who died Number left by — Clearance Arrears, &o. .. . ■ Number of members at 31st December 351 307 3,223 d : 3,881 51,103 348 414 3,178 3,940 53,759