The Sun.
London, England, 1854-09-01 00:00:00

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lieved it never woug; for the directors meant to progress
until the San itself wou:d not be able to nutebine them.
(Laughter.) Another motto applicable 'to -the society
was that of Viscount Sydney, "Itig-ht and fOrward."
The principle of the col-ripens-wag a right' erie. • A mutual
,stmiety did not want to take more inoriey from the pub-
lic for fire insurance than was essential. -- It •took the
money from the insurers, managed their business, and
then handed back •whatever surplus Lremained. He
trusted that the company would' successfully pursue
the saute course for many years,'.ltviii .increasing
benefit to all connected witlift. • Mr. Pratt concluded
by moving:—
"That this meeting congrattilatesihe public on•the sig-
nal success which has attended the formation of The
British Empire Fire Assurance Company on the' mutual
principle ; that it views with approbation the steady and
economical,•yet diligent, manner in which its isueinese has
been conducted, and calls upou all its numerous fellow-
insurers to co-operete zealously with the directors in mak-
ing known the merits and advantages of the company."
Mr. W. GROSER seconded the resolution, and said he
thought when Mr. Pratt set up his carriage and his coat
of arms, he should adopt as his motto, " Never at a loss."
(Laughter.)
Mr. WATSON recommended the members to make
known to their friends the advantages of, the society,
and induce them to support it, for the greater the
amount of business transacted the greater would he the
profits to each member, the expenses of management
not increasing proportionately with the increase of busi-
ness. The increase had already been very rapid, especi-
ally considering the competition existing among the dif-
ferent societies ; but he hoped that the increase of the
past year would be far outstripped in suceeethegyea.rs.
A. conversation then arose on the best means of an-
no,Treing the annual meeting, after which
Tire resolution way unanimously adopted.
Mr. JAS. ELACiZETT said, that considering the very
and subsequent exertions of
ehxacellent.results of the society, and the advantages that
• d accrued to the members from the original concep-
tionsdirectors, it
mg in the meeting not to
tender them its best thanks.:
the the chairman and
cular the members .wereanerks. • 'To themhairman in pauti-
pnneiplew.e.-eatly indebted. (dear, hear.)
the only difficulty wouldashean
first enunciited,`..ergry matt
must have seen that it 'w
admirable one, and that
gentleman who told the chairman.kincartriyialutgbeit
wouldout: give
e
subject ; but it had been abundantlyean unusual view of the
him a twelvemonth, did nott•
They had not only
tlje gone
htd on liking to the
in the wrong. shown that ho was
business for twelvemonths, but been bound ap-
prentice, and had nearly served theirF tit
they had attained to their majorityoebt that
the excellence of the principle would be urn
aversally ac-
knowledged, and that. the society would be most bene-
ficial and extensive in its operations 11
move— • 0 begged to
he had
no doubt
when

That the cordial thanks of the meeting be given to•
the chairman and board of directors for the skill, ability,
and integrity with which they had managed the busi-
ness of the society." (Applause.)
Mr. LINDSST, in seconding the motion, said he was
deeply sensible of the importance of the direptors' la.
hours. When he first joined the society, he did not do
so as a matter of business alone —though he had sense
enough to see that it was wrong to pay into a proprie-
tary company and get nothing, while a company co-ex-
isted which would return him a portion of his premium
—but he had pleasure also in associating himself with
men whose principles he esteemed and respected.
Mr. ISAAC DOXSICY said, he wished to support the re-
solution, and to express his entire confidence in the
directors, and in the chairman in particular. His (Mr.
Doxsey's) continued acqUaintance with the Society had
only strengthened his conviction that they had the right
men to conduct their business. (Hear, hear.) There
was a point to which be wished to call the attention of
tile meeting and of the directors. An idea had gt•ne
forth into society (and he had himself met with it in
recommending persons to insure with the company),
that there was considerable risk in insuring in a
mutual society. The objection had been perse.
veringly put forward by proprietary companies in
this way : "You can insure with us without taking any
risk, because we are not mutual," leaving it to be in-
ferred by a logical deduction, that insurance with a
mutual society was attended with risk. Now, he (Mr.
Doxsey) thought it would be advisable to put it promi-
nently forward that there is no such risk, as a standing
denial of the covert insinuations which were constantly
being made as to the unsoundness of their principles.
The motion having been unanimously adopted. •
The CHAIRMAN thanked the meeting fir its kind
expression of confidence and good feeling. He con.
gratulated the meeting on the excellent temper which it
displayed ; though he did not see bow it could biother-
wise than good tempered, seeing that there was nothing
to find fault with. It was only a proof that they were
sensible men, and, being such, the directors appreciated
the more highly the vote of thanks which they had
passsed, as they were able to form a correct 3udg-
rnent respecting the conduct of the business. The
directors would endeavour to pursue the same course
which they had hitherto adopted with a view to ex-
tend the business of the society. The success
of the company, however, must rest mainly with the
members. He should like to see them in frequent
communication with the agente, and doing their best to
bring business to the company. The subject of agency
was a most important one. The society had 600 or 100
agents distributing all over the country ; and it Wonla
be difficult to estimate their value. He (the chairman)
had the highest expectations from the efforts of agents so
carefully selected in future years.
The proceedings then terminated.