The Sun.
London, England, 1854-09-27 00:00:00

[PRICE SD.

duce similar results here, should a sort-sighted parsij
pony induce our agriculturists to persevere in thei
attempt to reduce the hire of which no labourer is more
worthy than our toiling hinds. We need scarcely add
that the reason assigned for the proposed reduction is a
direct• argumenj for an increase. As an abundant har.l.
vest enables the farmer to afford to pay more wages, so
a reduction in the cost of living, by rendering the
labourer more independent, places him in a condition to
demand an improvement in the terms of his contract
with his employer. And this would cure the evil, but
for this disturbing force in the legitimate and natural
operation of economical principles—that the farmer is
substantially the relieving officer, and refuses at the
parish pay-table to give any man relief who refuses to
work at the price the farmer chooses, in his wisdom, to
fix in his owh mind as the wages he may consider it
reasonable to offer. We repeat our proposition, that'
before fixing the rate of wages the employer is bound to
answer this plain question—" How can any man live
decently upon the money you give him ?" If he cannot
—if you propose to play the Pharoah among your work-
men, and to ask Athear to make bricks without straw, ;
beware of fastening upon poor human nature a burden;
greater than it can bear.—Dispatch,

IPSWICH MARITIME INSURANCE
•AtSOCIATION.

A dinner to celebrate the anniversary of. this Associa-
tion, was held at, the Vine Inn, on Friday last.
P. A. Sheppard, Esq., most ably filled the office of
president, supported 'by Alfred - Cobbold, Esq., vice- 1
president. Among the- company present were, J. C.
Cobbold, Esq., M.P., the Mayor (C. F. Gower, Esq.),
T. B. RosS, Esq., George Josselyn, -Esq., J.' Clarkson,
Esq., of London.(proctor of the Association), E. God-
dard, Esq., W. Bayley, Esq., George Bayley, Esq., of
London ; S. A. Notcutt, Esq., R. Sheppard, Esq., John
Christie, Esq., Hurwood, Esq., E. _Lawrence, Esq.,
E. Yarrington' Esq., Captain Garrod (surveyor to the
Association) ; W. Taylor, jun., Esq., (surveyor to
Lloyd) ; Captain Rowe, Captain Dowson, Woodbridge ;
Captain Pratt, Colchester ; Messrs. G. Christopherson,
H. Ridley, Clarkson, jun., R Hobson," W. Bayley,
jun., Bantoft, Beaumont, J. May, Walton Turner, W.
Bookes, Mistley ; Stapnard, Nayland ; R. Paul, Hass- '
gar, G. Patteson, London ; C. H. Cowell, Harvey, &e.
Grace having been said, and the cloth removed, the
President gave in succession, " the Queen," " Prince
Albert," " the Royal Family," " the Army and Navy,"
and " the Bishop and Clergy of the Diocese," all of
which were most cordially received by the company.
The PRESIDENT, in giving the next toast, said, the
names of the two gentlemen whose health he was about
to propose were too well known and appreciated by the
company to need any comment from him. He need
only mention the names of 3. C. Cobbold, Esq., and
H. E. Adair, -Esq., the members for the borough, to
meet from the company a hearty reception.. (Cheers.)
Mr. Cobbold had always identified himself with the
Association, even from its commencement, and he was
always to be found foremost in any matter connected
with the welfare of the town. (Hear, hear.)
J. C. COBBOLD, Esq., M.P., rose amid much cheer-
ing. After thanking the company for the honour paid
him, he said he much regretted the absence of his col-
league, who he was sure would have been too happy to
be present on such an occasion, to express his feelings
of interest in the welfare of the association. (Hear,
hear.) He feared that from the long connection and
intimacy which had existed between himself and the
chairman, it had led him to speak 'too highly of him,
and more than he deserved. (No,. no.) It was true
that from the first he had taken an interest in the asso-
ciation, but there were those who had more exerted
themselves in its welfare than himself. The society,
from its commencement, always appeared to him to be
in a more prosperous position than others of a similar
nature in the kingdom. It was, he thought, to be attri-
buted to the good ships in the harbour and their expe-
rienced commanders. (Hear, hear.). He need not say
that the interest of the shipowner was a very great
thing with him, though he was not a very large ono
himself. Still he felt an interest, and a very great one,
in it. He thought he had been a very great claimant
upon the society, for his success in shipping had not
been very great ; but still he did not despair. (Hear,
hear.) After alluding to the great good arising from
intercourse withContinentaUppwers, the hon. member
resented .his seat amid.much applause.
The PRESIDENT then gave " the Mayor and Members
of the Corporation," which was warmly received.
The MAYOR briefly acknowledged tha toast, and said
in his earlier life his connection with shipping was far
greater.than at the present time ; but he felt an interest
in it still. It give him great pleasure to hear of the
prosperous state of the association,. which had his beat
wishes. (Hear, hear.) It was far better than sending
their money to other parts for insurance companies,
because the profit arising therefrom was distributed iu
the town. It was, he considered, a great advantage to
the town to have a society connected with it like the
present. Like Mr. Cobbold, he had not been very suc-
cessful in the shipping business • and his opinion was
that those who desired to enter die trade should do so at
once, and not by piecemeal, for it they did they would
find their money went out fast enough, and the interest
did not come in. (Laughter.)
EBENEZER GODDARD, Esq., said, I rise to propose
a toast which I feel assured will be received with
all the cordiality and kindness which it deserves. It is
the health of the• gentleman presiding over this meet-
ing, and in conjunction with that toast, I have a most
gratifying duty to perform, which is to present, 'in the
name of the Ipswich Maritime Association, the service
of plate now before you as a tribute of our personal
esteem and regard to that gentleman, and also to testify
our appreciation of his services in the very able manner
he has for a series of years discharged the duties devol-
ving upon him as chairnian of the committee of manage-
ment. Those gentlemen who have co-operated with him
in the executive of this association, can bear their
testimony to his indefatigable labours, and his untiring
exertions to advance the interests of this society, and to
extend • the benefits which it was formed to promote.
Around me, I observe many gentlemen who have at all
times manifested a lively interest in all that pertains to

the prosperity of the trade and commerce of the town
and port of Ipswich, but who are not immediately con-
cerned in the shipping property of the port ; I trust,
therefore, I may be excused in very briefly referring to
the origip, establishment; and success of this association,
It is now some fourteen years since, that it occurred to
Mr. Sheppard and a few other gentlemen connected
with our port (whom I am glad to see here to-night),
that a Maritime Insurance Society, founded on the
principle of Mutual Insurance, might, with advantage
to the shipowners of this and the adjacent ports, .be
established here. SoCieties of this nature were at that
time only in their infancy, but the result haS fully
proved the soundness of the principles upon which this
society was based. I may instance, as a proof of the
saving effected by this mode of insurance, that instead
of paying from six to ten guineas premium per cent. to
underwriters at adistance, we have through this society
been enablel to effect our insurances upon an average at
about 4& per cent. ; thus many thousands of pounds
which would otherwise have been paid to strangers have
been retained in our town. This society was, I believe,
the first of its kind established in this part of the kingdom,
and the success which has attended it has led to the
formation of many kindred societies, both in London
and the outpOrts, the rules and regulations by which
this society is governed forming the fundamental princi-
ples of many of those societies. Gentlemen, it is un-
necessary for me further to trespass upon your time, but
I cannot sit down without expressing the conviction I
feel of the great obligation under which the society is
laid to its Chairman for that energy and business tact
which he has at all times thrown/into the management
of its affairs ; and I know I am but giving utterance to
the feelings of my brother committee-men in the hope
that his life and health may long be continued to preside
over the deliberations of the executive committee, to
devote his abilities for the public weal, and to live in the
enjoymentnf the esteem. mad friendship of his fellow-
citizens. Gentlemen, I have much pleasure in giving
you "The health of the Chairman."
Mr. SEtErisAnDrose under considerable evident emo-
tion, and said, if he experienced a difficulty in discharg.
ing his duty in a former part of the evening, what must
he feel at the present moment, when he saw before him
such a testimonial of their kindness and generosity He
could not but feel
.proud of this especial Mark of the ap-
preciation of his humble . services, but at the same time
it chided him for not being able to say that those ser-
vices were adequate ,to their kindness and liberality.
Though he 14cl taken a deep interest in the society, yet
it wouid have been nothing had it not been for the co.
operation of many of those who were present on that
occasion. He could not say much, for,he felt it difficult
to express the sentiments of his heart for their kindness.
(Hear, hear.) He, however, hoped he should long be
spared to unite his humble endeavours to promote the
prosperity of his native town. (Cheers.) He did feel
an interest in that town, and though his services must
be at all times limited, yet they might rest assured that
he would do all he could, to the best of his ability, to
merit their approbation. (Hear, and cheers.)
The testimonial was placed on the table, and con-
sisted of a coffee-pot, teapot, cream ewer, and sugar
basin. The service was supplied by Mr. Cole,'ar
of the Cornhill, and we have no hesitation in stating
that for chaste and elegance of design, superiority and
beauty of workmanship, it surpasses anything of the
kind we have ever seen. It speaks much for excellent
judgment and good taste in selection. The coffe-pot
bore the following inscription :
Presented to
bANIEL ALFRED SHEPPARD ES@-,
By the " Ipswich Maritime Association,"
In testimony of their esteem for him, as their Chairman,
in promoting the general interests of the Association.
22d September, 18n
The PRESIDEN'2, after a brief introduction, read the
following report :--
It is with considerable gratification that your committee
is now able, after the various losses and averages (some of
which have from legal and other difficulties remained
unto.
„settled until very recently) have been assessed and
paid,
lay before the members of this association a condensed
state-
ment of those subjects which have claimed their attentive
consideration during the 3 relal IlPthe 51147' 1654,