The Sun.
London, England, 1867-02-28 00:00:00

ovident Clerks' Benevolent Fund.

The 26th annual meeting of the members of this fund
was held last evening at the London Tavern. J. A. Smith,,
Esq., M.P., the treasurer, presided.
The report, which was read by Mr. W. T. Linford, the
secretary, was as follows:
" The board of directors have the pleasure to present to
the members and friends of the fund their 26th annual
report. The income of the past year was : --From sub-
scriptions and donations, £1,564 15s. 6d. ; interest on in-
vestments, £1,386 Os. 41. Total, £2,950 15s. 10d. Net
proceeds of dinner in London, held on the 2d May, 1866,
£3,241 123. sd. Together, £6,192.83. 3d. The results of
the dinner last year, held under the presidency of It. W.
Crawford, Esq., 31. P., were, as the above shows, of the
most gratifying character ; and tho board desire to
tender their best thanks to that gentleman, and
also to those members by whose iudividual exertions
their hands were so greatly strengthened on that occasion.
Pursuant to the resolution of the annual general meeting
of February 28, 186 i, eight aunuitauts were elected on the
31st of May last, viz.: —2 clerks, and 6 widows of clerks,
whose collective annuities amounted to £lBO per annum ;
and there are now 16 clerks and 69 wid )1443 of clerks on the
fund, who are in receipt in the aggregate of .£1,650 per annum.
Two annuitants have died during theyear, and the directors
recommend that 12 additional annuitants be elected. A re-
solution to this effect will be submitted to the meeting.
The sum of
.Ll9O 4s. has been distributed in gratuities
during the past year to members, their widows, and orphan
children. The commercial convulsions of 1866 and the
amalgamation of firms have slightly affected the income
of the fund. The directors, however, hope that when it is
seen year by year, the loss will be met by an increased
exertion on the part of the members, to bring this deserv-
ing institution before the notice of the benevolent."
The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report,
said he was quite sure the meeting wculd join with him in
congratulations at the favourable situation of the futid,
and the encouragement it held out to all to persevere in the
laudable endeavours of nursing it up to a stilt greater
prosperity. It was difficult for him on that occasion to do'
more than to repeat the words he had year after year
addressed to them ; but there were two points which pre-
sented facts so peculiar that he could not refrain from making
a slight allusion to then. The first was very remarkable-L.-it
was the extraordinary economy which,, was exercised in
the management and administration of the fund. Ile found-
from a statement their excellent secretary had drawn up
for him that their receipts for the year 1866 amounted to
£6,200, and that the Whole of the expenses for that period,
including £2OO for printing, postage, advertisements, &c.
was under .£4oo—(hear, hear) - leaving 93 per cent. of the
gross income available for the purposes of the fund. This
was a result unequalled, he was sure, by any other similar
institution in the kingdom. That credit might be claimed
for such a prosperous state of affairs was beyond dispute,
bat it must be borne in mind that this prosperous state of
affairs could not have been attained without the most
active eiertions of the directors of the fund. It was the'
great object of their fund that few amongst those who ap-
plied for its benefits should be disappointed—(hear, hear)
—and it was with the greatest satisfaction that he found
so few candidates had applied in vain. The other fact was
that whilst in many schools and institutions the admis-
sions obtained by applicants amounted in many cases to
not one in four, and some not one in ten, in the Provident
Clerks'- Benevolent Fund five out of every six applicants on
the books of the fund had received life annuities, the
value of which when granted varied from £lOO to £5OO
each. He thought he scarcely need do more than mention
those two facts to illustrate the importance of their in-
stitution, and to encourage those connected with it to work
energetically for its increased prosperity. As he advanced
in years he watched with great interest the changes in
public opinion, and he found there was an increased appre-
ciation of frugality, integrity, and forethought, and there
was an increased desire amongst those who had the power
to assist and relieve those whe deserved it. (Hear, hear.) Not-
withstanding their present prosperous state, it was a matter
of regret to him that more had not been dene, and why their
fund should owe so little to those clerks who had held high
and responsible situations, was unaccountable. (Hear,
hear.) Why they did not come forward and liberally sup-
port a fupd with such claims upon them as the Provident
Clerks' Benevolent Fund he could not understand - (hear,
hear)—and as long as Providence spared his life he should
always maintain as a fact that their fund yielded to
none in London in its claims' for sympathy and support..
(Hear, hear.) He felt certain, although he might not live
to see it, that some day the Benevolent Fund would occupy
a leading position a.ttongst the mostestimable societies of the
laud, worthy of the great and deserving class for whom it was
founded. All he could do on that occasion was to ask them
to adopt the report that had been read to them, to ask
them to thank Providence for the results of the past, and
to put their shoulders to the wheel, and to do more in
that gratifying line of duty which that society chalked out
for them. (Loud sheers.)
The report was received and adopted with acclamation.

Mr. JONES (Chairman of the Provident Clerks' Life As-
su6nce Society), who was very warmly received, said
it gave him very great pleasure to move the first resolu-
tiom.,,.vit., that for Ulu election of annuitants especially',-
as the number was so large on the present occas:ou.
They had increased in numbers over former years,
and the great reward of their etertions last year was the
pleasing circumstance that they were enabled to elect 12
more aunuitants on their fund. The dinner given last
year had resulted in a great success, and they were all
deeply indebted to Mr. Crawford—(loud cheers)—for the
manner in which he presided on the occasion. He could
not let that opportunity pass without expressing the feel-
ing of the Board to that gentleman, and also to those
members who had so successfully exerted themselves on
the occasion—(hear, hear) —as four-fifths of the whole
amount collected was the gratifying result of theirlabours.
Ho could not help feeling a regret and disappointment
that so many of the superior clerks still refused to give a
guinea to so good a fund as this. (Hear, hear.) He felt cer-
tain that if they could be induced to attend their meetings
it would not only open their hearts but their purses, too.
(Hear, hear.) Since the fund had been in existence, they
had granted no less than 2,100 loans to members for
£40,200, the losses from which did not exceed percent.
(" Hear, hear," from the chairman.) They had given
away in gratuities £3,300, as they never refused relief, and
they had paid £15,520 to annuitants, and now they pro-
posed to increase that amount by about £240 per annum.
(Hear.) This was some of the good work they had done—
(hear, hear) —without taking into account the assistance
they had given to members who, through temporary and
unforeseen circumstances, had been unable for a time to
meet the payment of their premiums. They had had in all
155 applicants for annuities, of which they had already
granted 125, and they were now about to add 12 more,
which would leave only 18 out of the 155 remaining.
(Hear, hear.) If they could show him another institution
which had done so much he should be glad to see it.
(Rear, hear.) He had much satisfaction in moving a reso-
lution to the effect that, on the 30th of May, or such other
day as the directors think fit, 12 additional annuitants be
elected to the fund.

Mr. DAWSON said it gave him great pleasure in second-
ing such a resolution.

The resolution was carried unanimously.

Mr. FRY made some suggestions as to au alteration in
the mode of voting, and
The SECRETARY said the same suggestions had been
made at the Board, but hitherto there had been a difficulty
in carrying them out.
Mr. JEPPS said it was his privilege to move the next
resolution, which was, " That the best thanks of the meet-
ing be given to the treasurer and trustees for the interest
they take in the fund." On many occasions votes of this
descripti in were submitted to meetings as mere matters of
form, but with them, it was really the expression of deep
thankfulness for the interest their treasurer and trustees
took in everYthing- selating to the success of the fund.
(Hear, hear.) They were all gentlemen occupying the
highest-positidn in the city of London,/tind 'to have thelit
connectedwith such.a fund as. the Provident Clerks' was
an honour he was sure they all appreciated as it deserved.

Mr. COLEMAN seconded the motion, and said it gave him
the greatest pleasure to endorse every word which had just
fallen from Mr. Jepps.
The motion was carried unanimously.
The CUAIRMAN said he thanked them for himself, and
also on behalf of the trustees. To have trustees occupy-
ing such a high and honourable position reflected credit on
every person connected with the Fund. (Hear, hear.) It
was a clear proof that these trustees felt they were well
able to take care of themselves, or some of them would
have been present that evening. Their absence he
looked upon as a proof that they were entirely satis-
fied with the progress the society was making.
In looking back through a lung series of years he could
not find one act with which he was so gratified as his
being connected with a society in which he and all
that he loved felt so deeply interested. (Loud cheers.)
He thanked Mr. Jepps for the manner he had referred to
him; and, in return, ho could only say that Mr. Jepps had.
more than fulfilled the high expectations he had formed of
his abilities, and that he (Mr. Jepps) could rest wholly
satisfied that he had ably, faithfully, and religiously played
his part in life, and that he had secured the respect and
regard of all who knew him. (Hear, hear.)
A member named TUCKER complained that he had not
been admitted, as a matter of right, to apply for an annuity
at the last election. Ho, however, requested that the na-
ture of his application might not be disclosed.
The. SECRETARY replied that this request rendered it
impossible for him to state the reasons for the refusal, but
without Mr. Tucker's permission he had no wish to make
them public. He could only say that the case certainly
did not came within the rules; and the directors, however
unwillingly, were unanimously of opinion it could not be
admitted. If every member, irrespective of his need, could
insist on becoming a candidate, there was no occasion fcr
the supervision of the board. (Cheers.)
Mr. PILCHER moved a vote of thanks to the medical
officers for their gratuitous services during the year.
Mr. ASHTON seconded the motion, which was put to tho
meeting and carried unanimously.
Mr. Fax =Ted, and Mr. DYER seconded, vote' of

thanks to the auditors, which was also agreed to unani-
mously.
A cordial vote of thanks to the Chairman was moved by
Sir. JONES, and carried in the most enthusiastic manner.

The CHAIRMAN said he could only repeat what he had
said on former occasions. He took great pride in his con-
nection with the fund, which he felt would continue to
grow, to progress, and to become a permanent ands grand
success.

Mr. REYNOLDS moved a vote of thanks to the Board of
Management, which was carried amidst loud cheering; after
which the proceedings terminated.

IMPERIAL PAR LIA El ENT

HOUSE OF COMMONS--LAST ENTNING.
The SPEAKER took the chair at 12 o'olook.
IRON GUN BOATS..

Mr. lIENDERSON gave notice that he would, on
Friday next, ask the First LOrd of • the Admiralty how
triariy gun boats had been built on the Thatne=, and
whether other builders in the.king,lom had had au op-
portunity of tendering for such vess4,ls. (Rear, hear.)