Friendly Societies.

44. Friendly Societies in Victoria have for years past been much patronised by the industrial classes, many of whom have derived great benefit from their connection therewith. So far as their relations with the State are concerned, they are under the supervision of the Government Statist and Registrar; and there are also public auditors and valuers. Thirty-four parent institutions, having 756 branches, furnished returns to the Government Statist for 1878. The number of members was 45,660, of whom 8207 received sick pay during the year for periods extending over 55,289 weeks, the total amount of sick pay being £45,141. The number of members who died was 467, and the number of wives who died was 291, the funeral donations paid on account of which deaths amounted to £11,412. The total income during the year was £161,880, and the total expenditure was £140,050. The amount to the credit of the funds at the end of the year, after deducting debts, was £392,562, or an average of £8 11s. 11d. to each member.