FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 163, 11 July 1881, Page 4

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

["New Zealand Timer.''] The fourth report of the Registrar of Friendly Societies, a voluminous paper, and full of very interesting facte, bss been 'aid before Parliament. As it has been decided to make the period embraced in the annual report terminable with the ordinary year, the document before us deals only with the cix months ended December 31st, 1880. * Tbe report complains that the returns which are required by the ITrieUdly Societies Act are nofc always complied witb, and that three prosecutions have been necessitated by neglect to furnish tbe required information, after repeated application. Twelve new societies have been registered during the six months. These comprise six lodges of the "United Ancient Order of Druidp, two lodges of the English National Independent Order of Odd-Fellow?, one Railways Benefit Society, tbe Sicknesß and Accident Mutual Insurance Association of N.Z , j one Wording Men's Club, and one ' specially authorised guild — the Independent Order of Good Templars, with 84 ! subordinate lodges scattered over tbe length and breadth of '-he colony. The progress of registration is very satisfactory, as the highest number oi registrations made since ihe first halfyear of 187S was only six, as compared with the twelve juat mentioned. The following is a statement of the various affiliated orders represented iv tbe register :— Manchester Unity of Odd bellows, 11 districts and G2 lodges ; Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 1 Grand Lodge and 15 subordinate lodges ; National Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 1 district and 2 lodges ; Ancient Order of Foresters, 0 districts and 45 courts ; Ancient Oi der of Shepherds, 1 sanctuary ; Ancient Order of Druids, 8 lodges ; Loyal .Friends Benefit Society, 1 lodge ; j Becbnbitee, 1 district add 3 tents ; £ons and Daughters ot 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, tbe Begistrar is pleased to report that it includes a new seal a of contributions based upou tbe standard recommended by the Government Actuary. Unfortunately, however, its adoption is left optional in regard to existing lodges, except so fares new members are eon. earned, in the case of whom ifc is made compulsory. This option, is regretted as in the case of the two city lodges at least of this district it needs no valuation to see that acturial insolvency is already almost certainly a fact. Although amougsfc the oldest, these lodges at tbe time of making the report had respectively 358 and 215 members, while their sick fund* amounted respectively to only £2421 and £2462. In the case of tbe former, although established since 1845, the amount represents only £6 15s 3d. per member. Seven societies hed tbeir registration cancelled 1 for the purpose of being registered as branches of the registered districts. Fonr other cancellations were also registered. A lengthy and instructive reference is made to the valuation of the Otago District, of the Manchester Unity of Odd Fellows, the results of which were published afc the end of last session. The report on the subject brings oht a deficiency ia tbe case -of all tbe lodges but one, the amount of the deficiency ranging, from 2s. sd. per member to £15 15 s . sd., i tbe Average being 63. 6d. in the £. In thecase where a surplus waß reported, \ it has been found that it was entirdy due *° the large number ot successions which had taken place. The basis upon which the calculations are made will be seen from rule 13 introductory to the new scale ol fees given in that part of the report which refers to the Wellington Lodges. Contributions at 20 years, 2s. 9d. • at 30 years 3s. 7d. ; at 40 years ss. Id. Against these- are set benefits, £1 per week duriDg the first six months of sickness, 10s.- per week during the next six months, and 7s. 6d. per week during the remainder ofJUness, £20 at death of a member, and £10 at death of a member's wife. The numerical strength of lodges range from 429 (Stair of Soutb Canterbury t A.0.F.) to 2 (Court Patea, A.6.F.) The total, nnmber of members is estimated at 20,000. Out of a mean number of 16,000 members 113 died, 52 members' wives died during the same period, the Tate of mortality for 1000 members being respectively, 7.06 and 3.25. About 1900 members were in the receipt of sick pay during*" the year. . The 232 lodges which furnished complete returns had benefit funds amounting in the aggregrate to £150,450 17s. 2|d., or on an average £648 9s. lld. per lodge, and £9 2s. s£d. per member. Tbe nine lodges established prior to 1850, have an average, of £1614s 2%&. per^eipber. The total receipts o_\ihe flick and funeral funds, 79 were £27,317 4s. 5£(L, or on an average £223 18s. 3d. per lodge; During the game year the expenditure on the sick fund amounted to £8748 os.,B£d;, and of funeral benefits £1387 10s. Medical expenses amounted to £10,429 ss. 3d., management to £7562 15s. B£d. and incidental expenres to £2389 ss. B|d. The assets andiliabilities are thns summarised : — Liabilities — Amount owing, £3938 15s. 2d. ; sick and funeral funds, £126,356 lis. s|d.; management fnnds, £8879 7s. l^d. ; other funds and property,' £369o 2s. B|d. ; total, £142, | 6 i'j2f- aW- Assets — Deposits in -P.O. Sayings Bank, £2872 14s lld. ; do in other banks, £22,394 14 2d.; mortgages on freehold, £52,413 16s. ili^t ether inve8 taents at interest, £6267 lis. sd. ; land and honse property, £45,653 19s. 3£d. ; cash not bearing interest, £8099 15s. 81d. • furniture, regalia, &c, £3566 19s, Bd. \ other ; assefs, £1624 3s. sd, ; total' £1*2,864 15s. s|d.