5

H.—l

RULES.

The rules of -IT societies and branches came under revision in one form or another for amendment during 1910, and with the passing of new legislation it is to be expected that this branch of the office will be kept fully engaged for the next few years. Complete amendments were registered during the year, viz.: — M.U.1.0.0.F. —Eketahuna Lodge (Wellington District); Nelson District; Ash burton District ; Wanganui District ; Westport Lodge (North Westland District). 1.0.0.F.—1.0.0.F. of New Zealand ; Leith Lodge. A.O.F.—Court Waireka (Taranaki District) ; Court Sir George Bowen (Wellington District) ; Court Pride of the Forest (Nelson District). I.O.R.—New Zealand District. I.F.S. —Millerton Colliery Medical and Accident Relief Association. W.M.C. — South Wairarapa Working-men's Club; Auckland Working-men's' Club and Mechanics' Institute. PARTIAL AMENDMENTS OF RULES REGISTERED. Partial amendments for the following were made: — M.U.I.O.O.F.—New Zealand Branch (2); Nelson Lodge (Nelson District); Abbotsford and Napier Lodges (Hawke's Bay District) ; Auckland District; Good Intent and Parnell Lodges (Auckland District); Ashburton District; Wanganui District; Marlborough District; North Canterbury District; City of Norwich Lodge (Lyttelton District) ; Heart of Friendship Lodge (South Canterbury District) ; Otago District. 1.0.0.F. —Pioneer of Southland and Aroatea Lodges. A.O.F.—Hawke's Bay District; Court Taranaki (Taranaki District); Wellington District : Courts Robin Hood, Sir George Bowen, and Sir George Grey (Wellington District) ; Court Star of Waihao (South Canterbury District) ; Court Enterprise and Court Excelsior (United Otago District). U.A.O.D. —Grand Lodge of Canterbury District; Grand Lodge of Otago and Southland District. H.A.C.B.S.—New Zealand District. P.A.F.S.A.—The P.A.F.S.A. l.F.S.—Denniston Collieries Medical and Accident Relief Association ; Auckland United Friendly Societies Medical Institute ; Nightcaps Collieries Medical, Sick, and Accident Relief Association (2). W.M.C---Wellington Working-men's Club and Literary Institute; Ashburton Club and Mutual School of Arts ; Napier Working-men's Club (2). S.A.S.— Sydenham and Suburban Co-operative Money Club. CHANGE OF NAME. The following changes of name were registered : — 1.0.0.F. —Prebbleton Lodge to Templeton Lodge. S.A.S.—Westport City Band Society to Westport Garrison Artillery Volunteer Band Society. CONVERSION. The following conversions were registered : — M.U.l.O.O.F.—Marlborough District to a branch of the New Zealand Branch M.U.1.0.0.F. ; North Canterbury District to a branch of the New Zealand Branch M.U.1.0.0.F. FRIENDLY SOCIETIES ACT. The first year's operations under the new A.t show that the new provisions arc likely to prove of considerable benefit to societies, and, in particular, the powers of checking the adoption of imperfect or retrograde financial schemes must ultimately raise the general standard of stability in the societies. A full resume of the measure was given in my last year's report, but it is not clear that the officers of societies have yet fully grasped the effect of several amendments. The returns for 1910 have disclosed investments in halls and buildings which are only permissible under certain conditions, and it is also doubtful if the meaning of section 49, subsection-(3), relating to the investment of funds, is fully understood by trustees. Copies of the Act in booklet form, with a full analysis and index, are now obtainable on application to this office. OFFICE-WORK. As will be seen by the tables in this report, some eight hundred societies and branches are required by law to furnish each year financial returns and statements of membership, sickness, and mortality. These returns comprise about three thousand sheets, which have to be minutely examined and checked against previous balances and statements. The work thus entailed on the staff, apart from the registrations, is considerable, and, although the secretaries of societies are decidedly improving in their methods, still, the fact that a great number of errors and irregularities have to be annually written about is evidence that the keeping of the societies' accounts in order requires strict scrutiny and continuous supervision on the part of this office. The bringing into operation of the newly established National Provident Fund has brought additional work on the staff during the current year, and it is only fair to place on record the loyal and efficient service they have rendered on all occasions. VALUATIONS. The reform adopted by this office in circulating a number of spare copies of valuation reports for the information of members of societies has been much appreciated, and has moreover proved to be