The Sun.
London, England, 1864-02-04 00:00:00

directors. (Hear, hear.) The board was ably seconded by
their secretary, Mr. Linford, and an efficient s'aff, and aided
by their united efforts nothing but success co follow,

(Hoar, hear.)
The motion was carried enthusiastically.
The CHAIR:1111i, on the part of himself a . colleagues,
returned thanks. He was going to say i ald stimulate
him to further exertions, but he just recolle d that ho was
out of office as chairman. (Laughter.)
Mr. J. W. WELCH said that would be for a very short
time. lie thought their great prosperity was mainly owing
to the unanimity that prevailed amongst the directors ; in
fact, it might be called a board of harmony, over which the
chairman wielded his baton, so as to ensure the highest
admiration. He had much pleasure in moving that Richd.
Henry Jones, Esq., be re-elected director of the asso-
ciation.
Mr. PRICE seconded the motion, which was put to the
meeting, and carried unanimously.
Mr. JoxEs, in resuming the chair, said his re-election
had followed so sharply upon his retirement that he cauld
scarcely recollect the temporary circumstance. (Laughter.)
He begged most sincerely to thank them for the compli-
ment, One good turn certainly deserved another—(laughter)
—therefore be had great pleasure in moving the re-election
of his excellent friend, Mr. John White Welch. (Hear,
hear.)

The motion, having been seconded, was carried unani4
mously
Mr. WELCH sail he was exceedingly pleased with the
hearty manner in which he had been re-elected. He con-
sidered it a strong mark of confidence iu the board; and
one of the most important circumstances that could
exist in a life assurance office was, that the utmost con-
fidence should exist between the executive board and the
whole of the members. Nothing should ever be allowed
to arise to disturb an arrangement once made by a
husband or a father to provide for those near and
dear to him; nor should any mere technical objection
be urged against an honest and bona fide claim.
Nothing was more important than that in a mutual office
there should be mutual co-operation. (Hear, hear.) The
increase of business had been highly satisfactory, but he
must award a portion of that success to the admirable
pamphlet their able secretary had found time to write and
circulate. He was certain many had been induced
to insure their lives in consequence of it. Mr. Lin-
ford was the author of sending the book out
and therefore he was entitled to the credit.
Mr. J. S. Leigh was also re-elected a director.
The retiring auditors having been re-elected,
Mr. F. TOOLE returned thanks, but at the same time he
must bear testimony to the Efficiency of their staff, They

were all gentlemen animated with one desire. (Hear, hear.)
He could not refrain from paying his tribute to their excel-
lent secretary for the good he had done by the publication of

his pamphlet. He had experienced the greatest pleasure in
its perusal, and he had no doubt every person who had read
these tiny pages had experienced the same gratification. He
therefore had the greatest pleasure in moving a vote of
thanks to their talented secretary and their staff.
Mr. MINTON seconded the motion.
The CHAIRMAN said Mr. Toole had but anticipated him
in moving a vote of thanks to the staff, As he was pre-
cluded from seconding the motion he would third it.
(Laughter.)
The resolution was carried unanimously.
Mr. LINPORD, in returning thanks, said he felt very
gratified at the manner in which this resolution had been
received; especially at the kind remarks of the chairman and
deputy-chairman. This was the tenth year he had had
the honour of receiving these flattering marks of their
approval, and on behalf of the gentlemen associated with
him he had much pleasure in saying that he believed
they had a most able and efficient body or officers, each of
whom did his best for the association wherever he might
be, He was glad to have the opportunity of saying this on
their behalf. Mr. Linford then adverted to the numerous
life offices which had disappeared, saying that although 299
offices had been established since 1811 no less than 268 had
come to grief," in one way or another. The real increase
in 20 years being only 22 offices. It was a source of great
satisfaction to him to see that while so manywere going down
the Provident Clerks office was constantly and steadily going
up, and it must continue to do so. No office in England, he
believed, had before it a more solid and enduring future.
Its funds were so ample, and its risks so widely and equally
distributed, that nothing in the ordinary course of nature
could disturb its claim account. (Cheers.) Mr. Linford then
referred in very kind terms to the actuary, Mr. Ratray, who
was absent for the first time, and whose illness he, in common
with all, much regretted. They had experienced so much
kindness and benefited so much by Mr. Ratray's care and
attention that he could not refrain from saying these few
words expressive of their feeling towards him, and their
hope that they might soon see him back among them in
health and strength. (Cheers.)
Mr. LLOYD rose to propose a vote of thanks to the
Chairman, and in doing so, ho also expressed his acknow-
ledgments for his own re- election as Auditor. He said if
every member could see as he did, the way in which the
office was worked, the energy in every department, and the
terms on which the directors and the stall were, they would
see with him that their affairs were well and ably managed.
He regretted that the Chairman should have thought
it necessary to say one word as to the honesty of purpose
and good faith of the board. No one who knew them would
believe they could be guilty of a fraudulent or unfair transac •
tion. He thought the very fact that:the other office refused
to abide the result of an open trial at law, and applied to
Chancery for relief on a technical point, showed how
weak was their case. He was much pleased to hear the
facts stated by the Secretary. The provident clerks of this
country were a large and intelligent body. He had
always said they would found a great office, and
they had done eo. If any proof of the good
management of the office were wanting, let them look at the
investments so large and so well placed. Ho was sure they
would feel the same pleasure as himself in giving the chair-
man a hearty vote of thanks.
The motion having been seconded, was carried with
acclamation.
The CHAIRMAN returned thanks, urging upon the mem-
bers the advantages that would accrue if each would exert
himself to bring only one member during the year. He
would like to get a pledge to that effect from all present.
(cheers.)
The meeting then broke up, members appearing greatly
pleased at the favourable statements laid before them.