The Sun.
London, England, 1871-02-03 00:00:00

help but what it had been freely given, and testi-
mony had been borne again and again to the value
of the help given by the members by the number of
proposals that were brought to the office. Al-
though it was thought by his brother directors that
still further might be clone, yet they were satisfied
with what had been accomplished, as they looked at it
and regarded it as a mark of confidence, which was one of
the great elements of success in their Associa-
tion. (Cheers.) The Board of Directors was a
thoroughly united body. (Cheers.) Were they divided
the interests of the members would most certainly suffer,
but from the free, open, and frank manner in which all
matters were discussed, they could not but prosper,
(Cheers.) He should be wanting in his duty did he not
refer to the exertions of their iadefati,-ible secretary—
(cheers)—Mr. Stubbs, the chief clerk, and the staff in the
office, for the hearty pull that Thad been made
since 1842. They had worked admirably with the board,
and to that their prosperity, in a great degree, might be
attributed. He deeply participated in the grief they must
all feel at the loss the association bad sustained by the
deaths of Mr. Sawtell and Mr. Da,m_fpn, They were
always most untiring in their efforts for the prosperity of
the association. He had but to thank them again for the
renewal of their confidence, and he hoped he might be
spared for some time longer to devote his Lest energy for
the further prosperity of the association. (Cheers.)
Mr. S. Woon felt grateful for being returned to the
board of directors because only an institution sound in
every respect could bring forward such results as those
mentioned in the report. They came to the bar of public
opinion to give an account of the proceedings, but he felt
sure they never would have to do that at the bar of the
Mansion House. (Cheers.)
Mr. ROGERS said the great desire of the directors was
to do that which was rigt, and he hoped by whomsoever
they were succeeded, that desire would continue.—
(cheers.)

The election of auditors then took place, and some re-
gret was expressed when the name of Mr. F. F. Toole did
not appear as usual amongst the candidates.
. It was explained that the circumstance was occasioned
by the usual notice of Mr. Toole's candidature not being
sent in in proper time, and the rule on that point being
very elear and strict, it was, unfortunately, impossible on
this oteasion to remedy the circumstances. It was hoped
that, at the nett annual meeting, Mr. Toole's name would
appear in its accustomed place.
Mr. J. R. Lloyd, Mr. H. B. Reynolds, and Mr.
Woolley were then elected auditors for the ensuing year.
Mr. LLOYD returned thanks for his re-election, and said
the provident clerks might well be proud of their associa-
tion now that its assets amounted to nearly half a million.
He hoped that it would go on increasing in prosperity, as
he felt sure that if the provident clerks were true to the
association it would be true to them. (Cheers.)
Mr. REYNOLDS and Mr. WOOLLEY each briefly returned
thanks for their election.
The CHAIRMAN then moved a vote of thanks to the
secretary and staff ; the members were greatly dependent
on the work done in the office, and he felt their officers
well deserved the thanks of the members. The accounts
laid before them were not only highly satisfactory, but
they were exceedingly well kept. (Cheers.)
The vote was carried unanimously.
Mr. LINFORT) (the Secretary) said he was extremely
obliged to them for the kind and genial manner in which
the vote had been agreed to, and it was a great satisfac-
tion to him that year after year his efforts and those of
the staff were of a character to deserve ,the recognition
they had receited. In his own name and those of the
gentlemenwith whom he was associated lie had to thank the
meeting. The last year had been very unfavourable for life
assurance, but brighter prospects now appeared in view.
However there was one pleasing fact he could communi-
cate to the meeting,. and which could be corroborated by
the gentleman on his left, and that was there was not the
shadow of a shade of doubt but that if they were to close
the doors of the office to-morrow, every policy could be
paid in full, and tha he looked upon as the true test of
solvency of a life assurance office. _ _

The CHAIRMAN said it might be satisfactory to them to
know before they separated that in the present year they
had issued 89 policies for the snm of £16,850. (Cheers.)
The proceedings then terminated.'