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

lieved it never would ; for the directors meant to progrese
until the Sun itself would not be able to outshine them.
(Laughter.) Another motto applicable to the society
was that of Viscount Sydney, "Right and forward."
The principle of the company was aright one. A mutual
society did not want to take more money 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 remained. Ho
trusted that the company would successfully pursue
the same course, for many years, with increasing
benefit to all connected with it. Mr. Pratt concluded
by moving :

"That this meeting congratulates the 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 business has
been conducted, and calls upon all its numerous fellow-
insurers to co-operate zealously with the directors in mak-
ing known the merits and advantages of the company."
Mr. W. GnosEß 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 be 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, especie
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 succeeding years.
A conversation then arose on the best means of ans
nouncing the annual meeting, after which
The resolution was unanimously adopted.
Mr. JAS. BLACKETT said, that considering the very
excellent results of the society, and the advantages that
had accrued to the members from the original concep-
tions and subsequent exertions of the chairman and
directors, it would be
wanting in the meeting not to
tender them its best thanks.
When the principle was first parti-
cular the Members were'an".
must have seen that itenunciated,
chairman. in
graeghatly indebted. (Hear, hear.)
wemhoonttohl,ddtidh the
octh an-
admuniracrbalteedo,nee,vaernyd snort
the only difficulty wouldu
:iin carrying it out. The
gentleman
alemtnwaenlv an that he would give
subject ; but it had been abundantly take an unusual view of the
They had not shown that he w
gone on liking to the
ihnustihneeswsrfoonrgt.weivetuonths, but onlyth
ap-
prentice, and had nearly served their time; abnedunwdhet
they .had attained to their majority he had no doubt that
polcei e would uwl do
would
kthe o
we xi :deal leedn, c
and
nodf
tt
hh
ae t p
thein society
ed
buenimveorsastlibyena:- ficial and extensive in its operations. TT
—(3 begged to
move—

" 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 bad managed the busi-
ness of the society." (Applause.)
Mr. LINDS&T, in seconding the motion, said he was
deeply sensible of the importance of the directors' la-
bours. When he first joined the society, he did not do
so as a matter of business alone —though he bad 80080
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 DOXSEY 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 he wished to call the attention of
the meeting and of the directors. An idea had gone
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 principhis.
The motion having been unanimously adopted.
The CHAIRMAN thanked the meeting far its kind
expression of confidence and good feeling. He con-
gratulated the meeting on the excellent temper which it
displayed ; though he not see how it could be other-
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
paused, as they were able to form a correct judg.
ment 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-
or the company, however, must rest mainly with the
members. He should like to se them in frequent
communication with the agents, and doing their best to
bring business to the company. The subject of agency
was a most important one. The society had 600 or 700
agents distributing all over the country ; and it would
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.