The Press.
London, England, 1857-02-21 00:00:00

FIRE DEPARTMENT.

The growing importance of the Fire business cannot fail to
prove gratifying to the Proprietors. Last year the premiums
reached 186,2711. 16s. 11d., indicating pretty clearly the estima-
tion in which the Company is held; but this year they have
attained the much greater sum of 222,2791. 108. 6d. Any aug-
mentation of liability, however, the Proprietors will be glad to
know, does not arise from an indiscriminate increase in the
amount taken on individual buildings, but is caused by a
multiplication in the number of such insurances, which adds
materially and obviously to the security of the reAult. The
losses amount to 108,3061. 15s. 10d.; and, in illustration of the
last remark, but without wishing it to be understood that a
more serious casualty cannot occur, it may be mentioned that
6,0001. will cover the largest loss by one tire.

LIFE DEPARTMENT.
The new business of the past year has again surpassed that of
its predecessor. The number of policies issued is 534, insuring
418,8661., on which the premium is 12,7701. 14s. 11d. The total
income from premiums is 72,7811. 15s. 10d., and, in fr,dition to
that sum, 17,3381. 10s. 10d. have been sunk with the Company in
purchase of Annuities. The claims under Life Policies have
amounted to 28,8551.45., and the Annuities paid to 11,9931. 2s. 6d.
Of the recipients, nine have died, to whom 2091. 12s. 9d. were
annually payable. The balance at the credit of the account is
339,4501. ss. 10d.

BRANCH ESTABLISHMENTS AND AGENCIES.
In the course of the year opportunity presented itself of placing
the business in Scotland under the management of a board, whose
great personal weight and valuable local knowledge were es-
teemed most important elements in the chances of success.
The advantages anticipated from the arrangements thus made
have, to a considerable extent, developed themselves already.
In other quarters much benefit has been derived from the influ-
ence and supervision which boards have exercised, and the
directors appreciate very highly the assistance so given in pro-
moting the interests of the Company. The increase in the
number of agents, and the services they severally render, should
not pass unacknowledged, for there is no part of the establish-
ment which has a stronger claim to be remembered than the
agent who exerts himself to work efficiently the town or district
committed to his charge.
RESERVED SURPLUS FUND.

The premium received on the shares issued during the year
has he.n carried to the credit of this fund, which now amounts
to 180,2621.105.
PROFIT AND LOSS.

The balance of this account is 174,6551. lls. 3d. On a full
consideration of all the circumstances of the Company, the
Board have determined to declare, subject to the approval of
this meeting, that a dividend of 12s. a share, less income tax,
be paid to the proprietors, according to their respective shares
in the Company. After payment of the dividend, the balance at
the credit of the account will be 125,6531. Cs. bd.
It may be convenient to the proprietors to have presented to
them in one view the additions which have been made to the
various funds, and thus to see the extent of advance actually
made in the year

1856. 1657.
Increased by Is now
The Capital .4170,858 0 0 .. £4,150 0 0 ...C175,008 0 0
The Reserved

Fund
The Life Fund 293,557 4 5 .. 45,893 1 5 389,450 5 10
The Fire Re-

insrnce.Fud. 82,526 17 5 .. 43,126 9 0 125,653 6 5

£710,092 110 £104,282 0 5 £820,374 2 3
The New Buildings are rapidly progressing, and it is the con-
fident expectation of the Board that the next Annual Meeting of
the Proprietors will be held within its walls.
.

It is with much regret that the Directors have to record the
death of Mr. T. B. Blackburne, who for so many years has filled
the office of one of the Auditors of the Company. That pro-
tracted connection is the best evidence of the respect in which
he was held, and of the value of those services which are now
lost to the Proprietors.
THOMAS BROCKLEBANK, Chairman.
At the Annual Meeting, to which the foregoing was submitted,
It was Resolved—That the Dividend of 12s. a share, less in-
come tax, and 5 per cent. on such portion of the capital as has
been called up, but is not yet paid, as determined upon and de-
clared by the Directors, for the year ending 81st December,
1856, be approved and confirm ed.
By Order of the

SWINTON BOULT, Secretary.
Liverpool, February, 12,1857.

Date of Amount of Addition made Sum Payable
Additions to as on
Insurance. Feb. 1, 1851. Feb. 1, 1856. after Death.
A s. d. A a. d. A s. d.
1820 323 16 0 114 5 0 1638 1 0
1825 382 14 0 103 14 0 1486 8 0
1830,
1835 lB5 3 0 88 17 0 1274 0 0
1810 l2B 15 0 84 13 0 1213 8 0
1815 6B 15 0 79 18 0 1145 13 0
1850 lO 0 0 75 15 0 1085 15 0
1855 - 15 0 0 1015 0 0