The Sun.
London, England, 1865-03-31 00:00:00

THE LAHORE BISHOPRIC.

Mr. H. SEYMOUR asked the Secretary of State for
India if he would undertake not to bring on the second
reading of the Lahore Bishopric Bill at a later hour than
ten o'clock ?

Sir C. WOOD said he proposed bringing forward tho bill
on Monday next.
CHAPLAINS' REPORTS.

Mr. HANBURY asked the Secretary to the Admiralty
whether it was true that the chaplains' quarterly report
had been abolished ; and if so, what had been substituted
in lieu ?

Mr. CHILDERS said, as he had already stated, the
chaplains' quarterly report had been abolished. All the
information they contained was now to be found in the
inspectors' returns and the annual reports.
THE PUBLIC-HOUSES BILL.

Mr. COX said, seeing the Secretary for the Home De-
partment in his place, he wished to ask him if he could
state the course he proposed with respect to this bill. A
number of deputations had waited on the right hon. gen-
tleman, and it would be very convenient if he would
state the course the Government intend to take.

Sir G. GREY said he had received a number of depu-
tations on the matter, and he had every desire to give
their representations the best consideration. Ho was
anxious to see how he could meet their wishes, and there-
fore he hoped the hon. gentleman would abstain pressing
for an answer to his question that evening.
Mr. COX said he would repeat his question on Monday
next.

COURTS OF JUSTICE CONCENTRATION (SITE)

BILL.

Mr. LYGON resumed the on going into com-
mittee on this bill, and moved that the bill be re-com-
mitted, with instructions to the committee that they inquire
into the capabilities of the Thames Embankment, as
the site for the proposed Law Courts. The
Government had proposed to expend £670,000 on a site
which was entirely inadequate for the purpose.
Sir J. SHELLE Y seconded the motion.
Sir H. CAIRNS hoped the proposal of his hon. friend
would not meet with the approbation of the house, be-
cause the carrying of the motion would be tantamount to
a defeat of the measure as far as the present session was
concerned. He considered the site selected as the very best
one, and he felt that the convenience of the public would
be sacrificed if it was altered.
Mr. H. SEYMOUR considered they were about to make
another blunder with respect to the erection of their public
buildings. He thought that if the plan‘now accepted was
adhered to they would have a large block of buildings in
the place where there was no easy means of access, while by
moving a little more towards the south the best effect, and
utmost convenience, would be secured.

Mr. MALINS hoped the plan would be strictly adhered
to, and that the present motion would be ejected. He con-
tended that if the Essex site was to be accepted it would
cost a great deal more than £670,000. He therefore
felt the public i convenience 'would be best served by
carrying out the Carey-street site. He would rather
things remain as they were than accept the Essex-street
site.

Mr. W. COWPER said that he naturally felt the greatest
interest in the carrying out of the Thames Embank-
ment in a manner that would add to the beauty
of the metropolis. It would be quite impossible
to place the courts of justice there. (Hear, hear.) The
site selected, he felt, WAS the best that could be had, as
there was ample space for every purpose, and if in after
years it was found necessary to take more land, then
property adjoining the new law courts could be readily pur-
chased. As a matter of convenience the Carey-street site
was all that could be desired. It was close to the Inns of
Court, the law offices, and chambers of the leading members
of the bar, in addition to which a number of close
thoroughfares would be removed, and in their stead, wide
and handsome streets would bo substituted. The value
of the property alone to be taken by Essex-street site would
cost over £300,000 in compensation, and thus an additional
cost of £700,000 would be incurred.
After a few words from Mr. CRAWFORD,
The amendment was negatived without a division.
The SPEAKER then left the chair, and the house went
into committee on the bill.
The whole of the clauses were agreed to, and the bill
was reported without amendment.
COURT OP CHANCERYIRELAND) BILL.
The ATTORNEY-GENERA, in moving the com-
mittal of this bill, explained that, the measure had been pre-
pared to carry out the recommendations of the English and
Irish commission, the object of which was to simplify the
law and assimilate as far as possible equity proceedings and
practice in Ireland to the system in this country.
Mr. WHITESIDE moved as an amendment that this
bill, together with the two measures of Chancery reform
which he himself had introduced, should be referred to a
select committee. It was not his desire to defeat a good
bill, but to make a good one, and the proposal of the Go-
vernment would restore in their most objectionable form
the old abuses which were condemned by recent legislation,
and impose a serious annual burden upon the public.
When Mr. Whiteside had finished his speech there were
only eight members present, and it was moved that the
house be counted. The three-minute glass was turned,

strangers withdrew, and the Government " whips" rushed
into the library and tea-rooms to discharge their duty by
summoning the ministerial adherents. The sand-glass had
run down, yet no more than 15 or 20 recruits had arrived,
but the Speaker steadily retained his seat for some time
longer, until a regular posse appeared, followed by Mr.
Brand. Eventually, and after a second "count"—by which
time, nearly five minutes instead of three, had elapsed—" a
house" was made, and the whips retired, Mr. Hugessen
waving his hat exultantly at the success of the manoeuvre.
The debate that succeeded, and which was carried on until
after midnight, was conducted entirely by the professional
members of the house, and like all discussions upon sub-
jects involving dry legal technicalities and details, was lis-
tened to with a painful sense of weariness, and in some
instances absolute exhaustion, as the prostrate and somno-
lent attitudes of more than one hon. gentleman sufficiently
indicated. It need only be stated that Sir C. O'Loghlen,
Mr. Scully, Mr. Walpole, Mr. Mains, and Sir H. Cairns
opposed, and Mr. George, Sir G. Bowyer, and Mr. Whalley.
supported, the proposal to send the bill to a select com-
mittee.

The ATTORNEY GENERAL having briefly replied, the
house divided, and the amendment of Mr. Whiteide was
negatived by 68 to 30. The bill was then committed pro
farina, and progress immediately reporced.
Several bills were forwarded a stage, and the house then
adjourned.

Briton MedicA and General Life
Association.

170

The eleventh annual meeting of this society was held
yesterday, at the offices of the company, 429, Strand.

G. H. BA.RLOW, Esq., chairman of the Board, presided.

The directors' report was as follows—

The directors of the Briton Medical and General Life
Association beg to submit to the shareholders and mem-
bers a report of the transactions of the association for the
year ending December 31st, 1864.
The proposals for new assurances have been 3,280 in
number, and the amount proposed £BlB,BBB. Of these
212 for £42,540 have been absolutely declined, 390 for
£91,188 have not been carried into effect, and 224 for
£56,275 were in course of progress at the close of the
year. The remaining 2,454 have been completed, and
that number of policies issued, assuring .E 621,885 and
producing in new annual premiums the sum of £20,060,
14s. 3d.

Four annuities have been granted, and £650 received as
the purchase-money for the same.
The annually-increasing business of the association for
the past seven years will be best exhibited by the following
tabular statement :

No. of Amount No. of Amount Annual
Year' Proposals Proposed Policies. Assured. Premiums.
8. d.
1858 1,976 395,515 1,342 26?,815 8,323 14 8
18.59 2,370 430,265 1,751 314,240 9,751 16 7
1860 2,405 466,783 1,505 343,160 10,023 12 6
1861 2,512 482,950 1,839 349,990 10,081 15 3
1862 2,81 C 653,238 2,023 459,540 15,275 13 6
1863 3,147 746,425 2,328 167,453 18, .73 2 0
1864 3,250 818,883 2,451 621,845 20,060 14 3

It is a source of much gratification to the directors to be
enabled again to report a continuance of that remarkable
progress which has ever been the distinguishing charac-
teristic of their annual statements. Every year has exhi-
bited a considerable increase of business over that of its
predecessor. Large, however, as is the number of new
policies issued, it would have been much larger but for the
great caution exercised by the directors and their officers
in the selection of the lives submitted, and the many pro-
posals which that caution has prevented from being carried
into effect. This will be seen from the figures given in
this report. Assisted by the able advice of their very
efficient medical staff, and taking advantage of the expe-
rience derived from their numerous transactions, the risks
of the association have been selected with every advantage
in the company's favour. At the same time the share-
hOlders and members may rest assured that the directors
lose no opportunity of entertaining every available
business transaction likely to be of a profitable character to
the office.

The directors beg further to report that the gross income
of the association has increased to the sum of £124,091
7s. 4d., and that after the payment of all out-goings the
balance of income over expenditure for the year is
£30,560 108. 10d.

The assets of the association now amount to £247,503
Bs. 3d., or within a trifle of a quarter of a million of money.
The accounts have been duly audited by the four audi-
tors, who, in accordance with the custom of this associa-
tion, have met quarterly for that purpose. Their opinion
on the result of their labours will be best gathered from
the following report :
To the Board of Directors of the Briton Medical and

General Life Association,

Gentlemen,—We beg to report to you that during the
past year we have made the usual quarterly investigations
into the accounts of the association, and have much plea-
sure in reporting to you that we have found the same cor-
rect and satisfactory. All the mortgage-deeds, bonds, and
other securities, comprising the investments, have been
duly inspected, and are in perfect order. We have very
great pleasure in again bearing testimony to the efficient
manner in which the books and accounts are kept, and to
the excellent system adopted by the association. We note,
with much satisfaction, the increasing business and prospe-
rous position of the company, and we are, gentlemen, your
obedient servants,

HENRY ALCOCE,
WILLIAM BROOKS,
Audit ors.
JOHN BROWN,
March 24, 1865. C. R. ROWLAND.
In common with most assurance companies, this associa-
tion has suffered somewhat heavily from the highly-
increased rate of mortality experienced in the past year.
The claims have been 200 in number, and amount to
£60,810 Bs. 6d. This sum includes 35 claims for £10,227
14s. 7d., which, although ascertained, were not due for
payment at the closing of the books. Although the claims
of the year 1864 have been heavy as compared with these
of former years, it is a subject of some congratulation to
the directors thati the association has been the means of
giving so excellent and practical an illustration of the ad-
vantages derived from the adoption of the principles of
assurance, as the distribution in one year of so large a sum
as £60,000 amongst the families of those members who
have unhappily succumbed to the unhealthiness of the past
season.

The directors regret much to have to report the death o
Mr. William Manton, who was for many years a director
of the association, and whose removal from a sphere of
action in which he was so eminently useful, the directors
feel sure will be equally deplored by the share and policy
holders as by, themselves. To the vacancy in the board
thus created, the directors have elected Edward H. Sieve-.
king, M.P., physician to their Royal Highnesses the Prince
and Princess of Wales, and they beg now to submit such
election for confirmation.

Three of the directors, viz., Dr. Tyler Smith, Mr. T. B.
Jones, and Mr. Francis Webb, retire by rotation, according
to the provisions of the Deed of Settlement, but, being
eligible, offer themselves for re-election. The auditors,
viz., Messrs. Henry Alcock, John Brown, William Brooks,
and C. R. Rowland, also retire, but offer themselves again
for tho suffrages of the proprietors.
The directors recommend that a dividend at the rate of
6 per cent. per annum, free of income-tax, be declared.
The directors cannot conclude their report without again
offering to the proprietors and members their hearty con-
gratulation on the progress and position of the association.
Although the past and each preceding year have clearly
demonstrated a great suceess which it has been the good
fortune of the directors to obtain, yet, considering the many
circumstances which have occurred in the year 1864, cal-
culated to retard rather than to advance the progress of all
provident institutions, and the very excellent present
prospects of this association, the directors confidently an-
ticipate that continued and increasing success will attend
their efforts in the year 1865. They again urgently solicit
the assistance and co-operation of the share and policy-
holders in those efforts, in order that, at the occasion of the
next annual meeting, it may be the pleasing duty of the
directors to report results to which the present, satisfactory
as they are, will bear but an unfavourable comparison.
The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report,
said it was of such a satisfactory nature that he need not
detain them by any lengthened statement. The new
business had increased by 20,000 over that done last year,
which he thought was a very handsome figure for an
offige of their age and standing. Many older
offices have not fared so well, although the
utmost endeavours have been made to secure business
atany risk. That had not been their case, and indeed had
the directors felt disposed, they could have added £7,000
more to that figure ; but they had adopted a safe and
prudent course, and he felt satisfied they were better with-
out it. A growing success attended their efforts for many
years, and he felt convinced that the Briton Life
stood so high in the estimation of the public that that
success would go on increasing and increasing. (Cheers.)
The chairman then alluded to the various topics men-
tioned in the report, and resumed his seat by moving the
formal resolution for the adoption of the report from the
chair, and carried unanimously.
Tho retiring directors having been re-elected, and thanks
awarded to the directors, the proceedings terminated.

Bank of England Return,--Last Evening.

An Account, pursuant to t]
cap. 32, for the week ending

;he Act 7th and Bth Victoria,
Wednesday, March 29, 1865.
P A.8.T51 EN T.

Government Debt .£11,015,1(0
Other Securities .. 3,634,900
G old Coin di Bullion 14,574,100
Silver Bullion ....

Z 29,224,100

,EPARTMZNT.
Government Secu-
rities (including
Dead WeightAn-

nuity) £11,023,211
Other Securities 21,150,813
Notes
Gold and Silver 781,b93
Coln

£12,234733
C MILLER, Chief Cashier.