H.-l

4

Sickness. The number of members sick during L 907 was 10,896, equal to 21-29 per 1(K) members at risk. The sickness experienced during 1907 was 81,199 weeks 2 days, equal to 7 weeks 3 days per sick member, and 1 week 4 days 2 hours for each member at risk. 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 largei orders for 1907 are found to be as follows : —

The percentage of members sick for the year 1907 was therefore highest in the A.0.F., while the average sickness per member at risk was highest in the M.U.1.0.0.F., and lowest in the 1.0.0. F. In 190(1 the percentage of member- sick was 18-84, the average sickness per member sick was 8-06 weeks, and the average sickness per member at risk 1 week 3 days 15 hours.

Mortality.

Sick and Funeral Funds. The contributions and entrance fees paid to Sick and Funeral Funds in 1907 amounted to £80,769. Divided by the mean number of members, the average was £1 9s. 6d., as against £1 9s. Bd. for 1906. The interest and tent received by the lodges and central bodies amounted to £44,645 in 1907, equal to 16s. 3d. per member, as compared with Mis. 7d. for 1906. The amount of sickness benefit paid was £58,939 in 1907, equal to £5 Bs. 2d. per member sick, and £1 Is. 6d. per member, as against £5 14s. 4d. and £1 os. 3d. respectively for 1906. Viewing the amounts paid in relation to the weeks of sickness, the average benefit per week is found to be 14s. 6d. in 1907, as compared with 14s. 2d. in 1906. The funeral benefit paid amounted to £11,085 in 1907, equal to 4s. Id. per member, as compared with 3s. Bd. for 1906. The total worth of the Sick and Funeral Funds at the beginning of 1907 of 516 lodges was £946,831, and at tl nd of the year £1,005.084, as compared with 500 lodges, worth £886,819 and £946,281, at the beginning and end of 1906. The balance of gain f6r the year was £58,253, or £1 Is. 3d. per member in 1907, as compared with £59,462, or £1 2s. 9d., in 1906. The averages for the five leading orders and for all societies are given in the following table for the year 1907 :—

Investment of Funds. The. total income from investments, less depredation, credited to the Sick and Funeral Funds for 1906 amounted to £43,279, which is Found to yield an average rate oi iM-Hl percent, (say, U 16s. lid)., as against £4 13s. sd. in 1905.

Sickuei is per Member. Katio (per Cent.) to To Sickness. Order. Percentage Sick. First Second 6 Months. 6 Months. After 13 Mouths. Sick. At Kisk. M.U.I.O.O.F. I.O.O.F. A.O.F. U.A.O.D I.O.R. 21-33 1858 21-66 21-03 19-99 Weeks. 8-43 5-4'J 768 508 7-39 Wks. clys. hre. 1 5 13 10 3 1 4 15 1 C 11 1 3 8 52 71 58 Tβ 67 8 7 7 6 8 40 19 35 18 25 All societies ■7-45 8 34 21-29 1 4 68

Year. Members. Wives. Niimhcr who rtird Number per 1,000 v llmh . r ..,,,, ,,;,.,, Number per 1.00C dumber who Med. Members at RUk. «l... .lnd M «inbere at RUk. 347 793 155 354 351 7-53 174 8-78 348 7-08 162 330 385 7-52 217 4 24 .904 .905 .006 9,17

Order. Income per K Jontrilmti'ms. [ember from Interest. Outgo per Member for Sickness. Funerals. Sick-beuefU per Member sick. Average Sickpay per Week Gain per Member. M I: I.O.O.F. l.O.O.K. .. A.O.F. U.A.O.I). .. I.O.R. £ s. d. 1 1-2 6 1 "J 8 1 7 6 17 8 15 4 £ s. fl. : 10 4 0 12 11 0 17 3 0 8 0 1 5 11 ! £ s. d. I l. il. 15 2 0 8 7 0 II -1 0 8 8 1 1 11 0 5 10 0 15 4 0 2 4' 112 0 3 7 ( s. d. (i 8 7 4 8 4 5 (i \ « S 7 s ia 7 I a. d. 0 14 8 0 16 1 0 19 10 0 16 3 0 15 3 £ 8. d, 14 6 16 6 0 19 3 0 19 1 1 6 6 All societies 1 'J 6 0 16 3 1 1 6 0 4 1 5 8 2 Oil 6 1 1 3