The Sun.
London, England, 1847-02-26 00:00:00

success of the institution, and he would have great pleasure

in ;I.c
The re soluth.n was cat reed unanimously.
Di*. Mil-LINDER then rose and said—Mr. Chairman and
brother members, the gentlemen who has had the kindness
to move this resolution is not, perhaps, aware of a family
secret—perhaps a family quarrel. lie spoke of the kind
feeling existing between tie bard of managers and myself.
Now we are always quarrelling—(Laughter)—and I will
tell you the cause of the quarrel. It is which of us will do
the most to advance the interests of the association.--
(Cheert. ) But I cannot say more, or say better, than this--
such has been the celebrity which the Provident Clerks have
achieved that it has extended even to the Antipodes ; and
1 have received a letter from the secretary of the Sydney,
New South Wales, Provident Institution—(Loud cheers)—
asking us in London to advise, counsel, and direct them in
their movements.--(Continued cheering) I think that no
better evidence need exist of increased prosperity, or of what
we are capable of doing, than this which is before us—the
fact that our fame has reached the other side of the globe.
We are now sitting by candle light, and they are, perhaps,
sitting by sun-light, and if we cannot communicate by the
electric telegraph, we, at all events, shake hands together.—
(Cheers.) Gentlemen, I thank you. This compliment is
undeserved, as it was uncalled for, and I feel grateful for it.
Mr. Purees said, I rise cow to perform a melancholy task,
because it is the closing scene; I have to move—" That the
warmest thanks of this meeting be presented to J. A. Smith,
Esq., for his kindness in presiding this evening, and
fur the continued and deep interest he has shown in promot-
ing the success and prosperity of the association." I need
not occupy your time by expatiating upon this resolution—
you all see what he does for us.—(Cheers.) Although all
do not know so well as the board of management how much
of his valuable time he bestows upon the affairs of this in-
stitution, or the kind and handsome manner in which he re-
ceives the board of management when we require to worry
him with some particular details, lam sure that you will
all join me most cordially in this resolution.
Mr. DAwsoN felt great pleasure in seconding it.
The CHAIRMAN, who rose amid loud cheering, which con-
tinued for some time, said—Gentlemen, I assure you I am
not going to trouble you with a second speech. I can only
repeat what I have said before now, that 1 thank you for
this hood nature and kindness to me. There is one thing,
however, to which I wish to call your attention, as it fur-
nishes a striking example of the success of this institution.
Mr. Jones ought to have mentioned it, but I suppose lie
forgot it. In the two months of 1847 we have done, in the
assurance office, 501. more than in the whole year of 1844.
(Loud cheers.) I think that if we talk to this time next
year we cannot add one word to that fact ; and,
although I cordially agree with the gentleman to
my left (Mr. Rennell), that the guineas which
we have received for the benevolent fund are vastly dispro-
portioned to the cumber of clerks in the metropolis, I
believe that a time will come when those who are partakers
of the great advantages which the guir.ea confers will think
these too great to be extended to other individuals at the
like price of a guinea a year. This is the case with all asso-
ciations which have got rich and prosperous. They naturally
and justly feel, and it becomes with them a question, whether
new subscribers should have the benefit of these advantages
for the original subscription. I sincerely hope and trust
that, as this is the case, the words of my friend on
my left will sink into the minds of those
present. I do trust, also, that as you admit
the efficiency of the board, wa may observe that
Members should co-operate with us in extending
the benefits of the institution. With these few remarks I
take my leave, bidding you all good night, and I trust that
when we meet again we shall have the same pleasant task
to perform that we have bad to do this night.
The Chairman, on leaving, was loudly cheered. The meet-
ing then separated.