The Sun.
London, England, 1869-08-26 00:00:00

THE OXFORD AND lIARYAP.D BOAT-I: ACM

The regulations for the international boat-race are
published, and are most stringent in the provision
that no steamers shall be allowed to follow. It is by
no means certain, however, that the course will be
free, for it is stated that at least one company intends to
try to break through the line with its steamboats,
and to follow the crew if possible. Attention is
called to the fact that tickers are sold at a high
figure by the servants of one of the steamboat com-
panies, the purchasers being assured that if they do
not succeed in following, the money will be
returned. The plan of those who sell the tickets
is 'understood to be to incur the penalty
which the Thames Conservancy Board imposes
on refractory steamers, and pocket the handsome
difference between the amount of the fine and the
shower of sovereigns which such a temptation as
they offer would attract. The Conservancy Board,
it is to be hoped, will notice the advertisement, and
take measures which will entirely prevent this most
dishonourable act on the part of a company.

THE ALBERT ASSURANCE COMPANY.

The papers still abound with letters from the
unfortunate policy-holders whose hopes have been
wrecked by the insolvent assurance company.
Of these cases, perhaps the most pitiful
are those whose policies were taken in another
company supposed to be sound, and afterwards trans-
ferred to the Albert. A. correspondent, giving
himself the suggestive title of " Sixty-Six," affirms
that he took a policy in the Western Life some
twenty years ago. At that time the Western Life
Office held a high position, and amongst its directors
were some men of mark and respootability. In 1803
the office received an addition, and figured under
another name; then this alliance was broken and it
became the Western once more. But every one of
the directors who had won the. 'confidence
of " Sixty-Six" had by this time retired
from the management. A new generation
had arisen, and its conduct of the business was not
satisfactory. About four years ago the Western Life
was amalgamated with the Albert, with what result
it is needless to say. This unfortunate insurer, who
has lost the fruits of twenty years' laborious economy,
complains bitterly that policy-holders have no choice
in the transfer of their interests. In the case of the
Western and the Albert it appears that the terms on
which the two offices do business differ considerably.
Several injured individuals urge strongly the
necessity of appointing a thoroughly independent
liquidator, who will represent the policy-holders in
the winding-up. One writes :
"I know that some who have received large sums in
connection with those amalgamations are in active com-
munication with those who, according to present arrange.
ments, will have much to do with the winding-up of the
company. None are so fully alive to the fraudulent
character of most of the amalgamations that have been
carried out as the professional amalgamators them-
selves, who will naturally strain every nerve to prevent
publicity."
This writer gives a noteworthy incident in connec-
tion with another assurance company, " which is
likely to speedily follow the Albert." One . policy-
holder who had undergone the scarcely satisfactory
process of four ainalganiations, felt dissatisCed, and
applied to the secretary for the bonus on which lie
could surrender his policy. He was offered J.:AL Ile
threatened legal pmeeeilings ; and lie was immedi-
ately offered n £lOO, and finally J:150
nearly the entire amount of his premiums.