The Sun.
London, England, 1849-10-12 00:00:00

;he directorswere entitled to their best thanks.

The motion was carried unanimously.
Mr. THORNTHWAITE returned thanks. He con-
gratulated the shareholders upon the different position
in which the directors now came before them than

when they had the pleasure of first addressing them-
selves to the shareholders.—(Hear, hear.) They
then promised to use their best endeavours, and to
devote their best energies to further the objects of
the society, then springing into existence. He was
happy to find that their exertions had been so far
crowned with success. The vote of thanks which
they had passed the directors felt as a mark of
confidence in their future management, and they like-
wise received it as an evidence that the proprietors
considered that the directors had done their duty
during the past year. He could assure them it should
always be their endeavour to labour to the satisfac-

tion of all the members. He hoped that they should
so conduct their business that their elder brethren
connected with life assurance would continue that

cordial understanding which at present subsisted be-
tween the Gresham and the chief offices. The direc-

;ors would leave nothing undone to cement that union

more and more, for to the continuance of the good feel-
ing that at present subsisted the directors looked, to
a great extent for success. The vote of thanks was

pleasing, because they had endeavoured to make their
expenses as small as was consistent with the proper
working of the society.—(Hear, hear.) When they
became directors of the society they had no idea that
the business would have consumed so much time ; but
this arose from its great extent. They had upwards
of 1,000 proposals made to them. Now, though a
number of these were declined, and no notice taken of
them in the books beyond the mere fact of their re-
ceipt and rejection, yet as much ,time was devoted to
these cases by the medical officers and the directors
as if they appeared on the books as accepted policies.—
(Hear, hear.) Indeed, he must say that the declined
cases occupied more time than the others, the directors
having considered no trouble too great; and
they hoped next year to double or treble
the business. As the success of the office mainly
depended upon the cordial co-operation of the share-
holders and policy-holders with the directors, he
hoped that none of them would be found wanting in
the promotion of the social position of their fellow-
creatures by the aid of life assurance. In so good a
cause he hoped they would all unite, for it was one
that would amply repay them for any exertions they
might use.---(Cheers.)
Mr. WILLIAMS proposed a ;.vote of
.thanks to Mr.
Smee, whose zeal and industry in promoting the
success of the society had been unwearied.—(Cheers.)
The office of a surgeon to a life assurance society was
at all times very difficult to fill ; but in their society,
where they had to deal with lives declined by other
offices, which required the most careful investigation,
the duties of such an officer were paramount. Mr.
Smee possessed all the qualities in an eminent degree,
and the results of his skill the directors had had the
pleasure that day to lay before the shareholders. But,
in addition to their duties as their medical officer, he
had devoted his personal exertions to the promotion
of the business.—(Cheers.) He would now read the
resolution :
" That the best thanks of the meeting be presented
to Mr. Alfred Smee, the society's principal medical re-
feree, for the indefatigable care, ability, and skill ho has
invariably evinced in the discharge of the very arduous
labours of his office, and for the time and attention he
has devoted to the interests of the society, as the meeting
feel convinced that upon a continuance of the same con-
smut attention and talent the success of this society will
very much depend."
Mr. THORNTHWAITE seconded the motion with
great pleasure. It must be obvious to the members
that the success of the office mainly depended upon
the efficiency of their officers ; and in exact
comparison to the high standing of the office
dist they require greater efficiency on the part of their
officers. Mr. Smee was a gentleman well known in the
scientific world for his great attainments and skill in
the medical profession, besides being connected with
the largest establishment in the world, the Bank
4of Zngland, as well as §everal other public esta.