FRIENDLY SOCIETIES REPORT.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2268, 9 July 1881, Page 3

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES REPORT.

[By Telegraph.] [from the own cobbbbpondbht op the “ PRESS.”! WELLINGTON, July 8. The following are some of the matter* dealt with in the report of the Registrar of Friendly Societies : —Twelve new societies were registered during the six months ; these comprise 6 lodges of the United Ancient Order of Druid*, 2 lodge* of tho English National Independent Order of Oddfellows, 1 Railway Benefit Society, the Sickness and Accident Mutual Insurance Association of New Zealand, 1 Working Man’s Olub, and 1 specially authorised society, the Independent Order of Good Templars, with 84 subordinate lodges scattered over the length and breadth of the colony. The progress of registration is very satisfactory, as the highest number of registrations made since the first half-year of 1878 was only 6, as compared with the 12 juit mentioned. The following is a statement of the various affiliated orders represented in the register : —Manchester Unity of Oddfellow*, 11 districts and62lodges; Independent Order of Oddfellows, X grand lodge and 15 subordinate lodges; national Independent Order of Oddfellows, 1 district and 2 lodges; Ancient Order of Foresters, 6 districts and 45 courts; Ancient Order of Shepherds, 1 sanctuary; Ancient Order of Druids, 8 lodges; Loyal Friends Benefit Society, 1 lodge; Koohabites, 1 district and 3 tents ; Sons and Daughters of Temperance, 5 subordinate divisions ; Hibernian Catholic Benefit Society, 7 branches ; Good Templars, 1 grand lodge and 84 lodges. As regards the complete amendment of rules of the Wellington District Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows, the Registrar reports that it includes a new scale of contributions based upon the standard recommended by the Government actuary. Unfortunately however its adoption is left optional in regard to existing lodges, except so far as new members are concerned, in the case of whom it is made compulsory. This option is regretted, as in the case of the two city lodges at leeet of this district it needs no valuation to see that actuarial insolvency is already almost a certain fact. Although amongst the oldest, these lodges, at the time of making tho report, had respectively 358 and 315 members while their sick funds amounted respectively to only £2421 and £2462. In the case of the former, although established since 1845, the amount represents only £6 15s 3d per member. Seven societies have had their registration cancelled for the purpose of being registered as branches of the registered districts. Four other cancellations have also registered. A lengthy and instructive reference is made to the valuation of the Otago district of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows, the results of which were published at tho end of last session, _ The report on the subject brings out a deficiency in the case of all tho lodges but one, tho amount of the deficiency ranging from 2s 5d per member to £ls 15s Bd, the average being 6s 6J in the £. In the case where a surplus was reported it has been found that it was entirely _ due to the large number of secessions which had taken place. The basis upon which the calculations are made will be seen from rule 13, introductory to the new scale of fees given in that part of the report which refers to the Wellington lodges. Contribution* —At twenty years, 2a 9i; at thirty years, 3s 6d; at forty years, 5s 6d. Against these are set benefits of £1 per week during tho first six months of sickness, 10« per week during the next six months, and 7s 6d per week during the remainder of tho illness ; £2O at death of a member, and £lO at the death of a member’s wife. The numerical strength of lodges ranges from 529 (Star of South Canterbury, A.O.F) to 2 (Court Patea, A.0.F.) The total number of members is estimated at 20.000. Out of a mean number of 16,000 members 113 died and 52 members’ wives died during tho same period, tho rate of mortality per 1000 members being respectively 7.06 and 3 25. About 1900 members were in receipt of sick pay during the year. Tho 232 lodges which furnished complete returns bad benefit funds amounting in the aggregate to £150,450 17s 2!d, or on an average £613 9s lid per lodge, and £29 2s s]d per member The nine lodges established prior to 1850 have an average of £l6 4s 2Jd per member. The total receipts of the sick and funeral funds for 1879 were £27,317 4s 51d, or an average of £223 ISs 3d per lodge. During tho same year the expenditure on tho sick fund amounted to £8748 Os Bid, and of funeral benefits, £1387 10s. Medical expenses amounted to £10,429 5s 3d, management to £7562 15s BJd, and incidental expenses to £2380 5s SJ-i. Tho assets and liabilities are thus mmnarised :—Liabilities: Amount owing, £3938 14s 3d ; sick and funeral funds £126,356 11s s£d ; management funds, £BB7O 7s BJd. Total, £142,864 2s B£d, Assets— Deposits in Post Office Savings Bank, £2872 14s lid ; deposits in other bankt, £22,364 14: 2d ; mortgages on freehold, £52,413 16s lid ; other investments at in terest, £6267 11s 5d ; land and bouse pro party, £45,653 10s 31d ; cash not bearing in terest, £BOOO 15s 83 d; furniture, regalia, &r, £3566 10s 8d ; other assets, £1621 3s sd. Total, £142,864 15s 0(1.