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Sess. 11.—1897. NEW ZEALAND.

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES (TWENTIETH ANNUAL REPORT BY THE REGISTRAR OF).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly pursuant to " The Friendly Societies Act, 1882," Section 5, Subsection (8).

TEANSACTIONS DUEING THE YEAE 1896. Begistbation op Societies and Beanches. l.The total number of registrations during the year 1896 was 15, distributed thus; M.U.1.0.0.F.,* 3 lodges; A.0.F., 6 courts; U.A.0.D., 5 lodges; P.A.F.S.A., 1 lodge. 2. In the following table the progress of registration during the year is shown by a comparison of the number of societies on the register as at the beginning and end of the year respectively.

3. A complete list of societies and branches on the register as at the end of 1896 is given in Appendix 11. Cancellation op Eegisthy. 4. The registry of the under-mentioned society and branches, which had ceased to exist, was cancelled during the year : — M.U.1.0.0.F. —National and Mercury Bay Lodges (Auckland District). I.g.S.—Palmerston North Go-operative Money Club. Conversion of Bechstey. 5. Bight lodges, registered as separate societies, applied for conversion of registry, and were registered as branches of the District Grand Lodge of the North Island of New Zealand—viz., Bishop, Turanganui, Auckland, Pacific, Blenheim Mistletoe, Totara, Star of Bgmont, and Morgan Lodges.

* LIST OP ABBREVIATIONS MADE USE OF IN THIS REPORT. A.0.F., Ancient Order of Foresters. A.0.5., Ancient Order of Shepherds. 8.U.0.0.F., British United Order of Odd Fellows. H.A.C.8.5., Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society. 1.F.5., Isolated Friendly Society. 1.0. G.T., Independent Order of Good Templars. 1.0.0. F., Independent Order of Odd Fellows (American Constitution). 1.0.X., Independent Order of Rechabites. 1.5.5., Isolated Specially-authorised Society. M.U.1.0.0.F., Manchester Unity Independent Order of Odd Fellows. N.1.0.0.F., National Independent Order of Odd Fellows. P.A.F.S.A., Protestant Alliance Friendly Society of Australasia. R.E.8.5., Railway Employes' Benefit Society. S.D.T., Sons and Daughters of Temperance. U.A.0.D., United Ancient Order of Druids. W.M.C., Working-men's Club.

I—H. 1.

Name or Class of Society. : Statement as on the 1st January, Statement as on the 31st December, 1896. 1896. Statement as on the 1st January, 1896. Statement as on the 31st December, 1896. M.U.I.O.O.F. .. I.O.O.F. N.I.O.O.F. .. B.U.O.O.F. .. A.O.F. A.O.S. U.A.O.D. I.O.R. S.D.T. H.A.C.B.S. .. P.A.F.S.A. .. R.E.B.S. I.F.S. W.M.C. I.O.G.T. I.S.S. 16 districts, 137 lodges, and 1 widow and 16 districts, 138 lodges, and 1 widow and orphan society orphan society. 1 grand lodge and 30 subordinate lodges .. >. 1 grand lodge and 30 subordinate lodges. 1 district and 2 lodges .. .. .. 1 district and 2 lodges. .. ] 1 district and 1 lodge .. .. .. 1 district and 1 lodge. .. ' 8 districts, 106 courts, 2 juvenile courts, and 8 districts, 112 courts, 2 juvenile courts, and 1 widow and orphan society 1 widow and orphan society. 1 sanctuary .. .. .. .. 1 sanctuary. 2 grand lodges and 49 subordinate lodges .. 2 grand lodges and 54 subordinate lodges. 2 districts and 37 tents .. .. .. 2 districts and 37 tents. 1 grand division and 11 subordinate divisions 1 grand division and 11 subordinate divisions. .. . 1 district and 22 branches .. .. 1 district and 22 branches. .. : 1 grand lodge and 11 subordinate lodges .. 1 grand lodge and 12 subordinate lodges. .. | 2 societies .. .. .. .. 2 societies. .. i 8 societies .. .. .. ...18 societies. .. : 13 clubs .. .. .. .. I 13 clubs. 1 grand lodge, 53 subordinate lodges, and 2 1 grand lodge, 53 subordinate lodges, and 2 temples temples. 26 societies .. .. .. 25 societies.