The Sun.
London, England, 1853-12-15 00:00:00

N NEW S. PROVIDENT CLERKS' MUTUAL LIFEASSOCIATION.
ASSURANCE ASSOCIATION.

A special general meeting of the members of this
society was held at the Loudon Tavern, last evening
for the election of two auditors ; Mr. R. H. Jones, the
chairman of the board, presiding.
The names of the candidates who offered themselves
for election were—Mr. Wm. Fabian, Mr. John Hooper,
Mr. Rich. Wm. Dennis Legg, Mr. James ]Rich. Lloyd,
and Mr. Francis Frederick Toole.
The CHAIRMAN said the present election was rendered
necessary in consequence of the two former auditors
having become managers of the association, by which
they were disqualified to act any longer as auditors.
The members having already heard the names of the •
candidates read, he would only observe, that they had
all been nominated in the ordinary manner, and were
qualified to stand for the vacant posts. Unless any
gentleman had some observations to make, the directors
would at once proceed to issue the balloting papers.
Mr. BATHURST said before the election took plaee, he
was desirous of putting two questions to the chairman
but he begged to observe that he took this course en-
tirely on principle, being one of the oldest members of
the association, and one who assisted at the election of
the auditors when those officers were first appointed.
It would be admitted he thought by the members gene-
rally that it was advisable that the office of auditor
should be filled by an individual who was perfectly inde-
nendent of the board of management. He did not mesa
by this observation to cast any imputation on the board
of management, in whom he had perfect confidence ; but
it was impossible to tell who might follow them. He
did not think that any person ought to fill an office of
such responsibility who was receiving remuneration
From the office in the shape of commission. He wished,
.herefore, to ask whether the managers elected at the
iast special meeting of the Provident Clerks' Mutual
Assurance were agents in the receipt of commission from
the association ; and, if so, whether their commission
eeased from their election ; and secondly, whether the
candidates for the office of auditor, on the present occa-
sion, were paid agents of the association ? (Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN observed, that if this qnestion was
necessary it ought to have been put at the last meeting,
when the two new directors were elected, because it was •
now too late to raise any difficulty in respect to the ap-
pointment of those gentlemen to the board. (Hear,
hear.) However, he had no objection to state, in reply
to the first question, that one of them had been an agent
of the association, but since his election as manager he
had relinquished the commission which he formerly re-
ceived. With respect to the second question of the hon.
member, he had to say that one of the candidates for an
auditorship had received commission on the business he
had introduced.
Mr. BATHURST was perfectly satisfied with the reply,
but would like to know the name of the individual, for
this circumstance would influence his vet.
The CHAIRMAN should be sorry to say one word that
would tend to the prejudice of any candidate.
A MEMBER thought the hon. gentleman was not justi-
fied in insisting upon an answer.
Mr. BATHURST would not press the question if the
chairman considered it inconvenient to give a reply.
The opinion of the meeting being clearly against the
question,
The CHAIRMAN said he would prefer not giving the in-
formation asked for by Mr. Bathurst.
Mr. HOOPER, sen., said there were names on the list
of candidates which he had seen for the first time, and
how was he to know which to select ? They were noW
about to proceed to the ballot without having heard a
word respecting the merits of these different gentlemen.
Perhaps some, or even all, were well qualified to dis-
charge the duties of an auditor, but as to whether this
was so or not they were in possession of no information
whatever. Now, he had to recommend to the meeting
a name which he thought would meet with the approba-
tion of all parties, but he was afraid that many persons
were pledged before they came into the room, and that
it was almost in vain now to say anything in favour of
a particular candidate. He disapproved altogether Of
the system of these elections depending upon a canvas,
because the result of that was that the person who
had the most time on his hands would be successful
instead, perhaps, of another who was much better
qualified. (Hear, hear.) The gentleman whose name
he wished to mention; was Mr. John Hooper, jun.l
who held an important situation in the Royal Ex-
change Life Assurance Office. Having known him from
his childhood, and his first initiation into business, and
having watched his progress since, he could confidently
state that, if elected, he would be found to be a most
able, faithful, and efficient auditor of their accounts, and
that he was competent to give and to receive hints and
suggestions for the benefit of the institution. (Hear.)
Mr. FINCH had great pleasure in seconding the Do-
mination of Mr. Hooper, jun. He had been associated
with him in other societies, the success of which de'
pended mainly, if not entirely, on the tact which he dis'
played. Having been for 13 years connected with the
Royal Exchange Assurance Society, he was peculiarly
fitted for the auditorship of this or any other company,
and a man who was more honourable and upright M hie
engagements could not be found. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. FARNHILL said there was another gentleman dis'
tinguished by energy of character and uniformity of
conduct whose name he had great pleasure in propesieff
as a candidate. He meant Mr. Toole, who stood lagy
on the list, and was well known to a large portion dale
members. He nominated this gentleman from. sincere
conviction of his very excellent qualities ; indeed, he
scarcely knew which to admire most—his head or hie
heart. Mr. Toole had held the office of accountant to
several building societies, and though the business °t
these varied very much from that of an assurance of6e'
all knew that their books and accounts were very DD.
°
merous and elaborate. He (Mr. Farnhill) might obsery
that he differed in toto from Mr. Bathurst as to officer°
of the society receiving commission, for unlike him lie
should be most happy to advocate the cause of any gen•
tleman who obtained the largest amount of commissioce
for it was quite evident that he was the best friend of th
institution. (Cheers.)
Mr. H. TARRANT seconded the nomination of
Toole, believing that he would discharge the duties;
auditor with credit to himself and satisfaction to
members.
The CHAIRMAN said, before the balloting papers 'gel:
issued, he wished to make a member easy who, Seoo;a
note he had just handed in, seemed to be under the
pression that the managers were in the habit of receirlAbo
commission. (Laughter.) He had to inform hini bog
such was not the case ; none of them received a forth
in the shape of commission. (Hear, hear.)
er the
The election was then proceeded with, and de
numbers had been added up, the meeting resumed. foi,
The CHAIRMAN announced the numbers to be etio,
lows :—Mr. Toole, 126 ; Mr. Lloyd, 66 ; Mr. hags ee
54 ; Mr. Legg, 40 ; and Mr. Hooper, 25.. d 1 are
declare, therefore, that Mr. Toole and Mr. Telol,
duly elected auditors of this association. (Cheer.' toe
Mr. TOOLE returned thanks. He had no cone
ero
that the influence he possessed among the ree,-8 top
would raise him from the bottom of the list to tP
of the poll. (Cheers.) He was extremely ro in
them for placing him in such an enviable Peitittooo
connection with so valuable and excellent an in
ijoell
as the Provident Clerks', and he trusted he would ea is
deserve the confidence which had thus been reps fried
him. He had endeavoured to show how sincere onob
he was of the institution, by bringing to it estoolrer,
business as possible ever since he first became ei_eree be
and he trusted that he might in a still greater :700
enabled to add to its growing prosperity. (C
ed
Mr. LLOYD said he felt the honour conferr As•
him by the members the more keenly, betaelins:ese
not the result of any personal canvass, and juedaestie:
unsuccessful candidates, both by position and the (1007:,
peefor
to the eseAvti
were quite as able, if not more so, to
of the office. (Cheers.) He had belonged trese is
elation many years, and had taken great would Dot
welfare, and this proof of their kindness °
etsg
any way diminish that interest. (
On the motion of Mr. CRAMP a vote 0. in nrOSlClip
awarded to the Chairman for his conduct
idea
over the meeting. that u"- 'eel°
The CHAIRMAN, in reply, mentioned A, noileivi ro,
present year they had issued an excess. of last te ;10
Cheers.)f
thoo.
9,3751., over and above those issued into I°lll3o
months, and as the year did not to
rmina 0000
of December there was plenty of anis TP
augment the number. (Cheers.)
The meeting then separated.