The Sun.
London, England, 1866-04-13 00:00:00

table in the report spoke most eloquently with
respect to new business, as from it it would be
seen their new annual premiums had risen from
£35,384 Is. 3d., in 1863, to £63,634 14s. 2d. in
1865. (Hear, hear.) The figures show nearly al
doubling of the business in the last three years'_,
but that high tide of prosperity could not be
looked upon as certain of continuance year
by year, as it would be expecting too
much. (lifts, hear.) The great feature
of the year had been the amalgamation
of the Britannia Life Office with the Briton. The
Britannia was an office that stood very high, but
the directors went into the matter with a determi-
nation to sift everything thoroughly. The great
matter for consideration was the value of the busi-
ness, and after their own actuary and another con-
sulting actuary had considered the matter they
consulted an independent gentleman, viz., Mr.
Finlaison, and the result was that the union was
recommended, and they had every reason to be
satisfied with it. (Hear, hear.) They had six
months' experience of its working, and the result
had borne out the anticipations of the directors
in every particular. They had added several gen-
tlemen of the highest position in the Briton—(hear,
hear)—and among them were Mr. John Drewett
and Mr. J. Bevington, as trustees, and Mr. Millis
Coventry had been elected to a seat in the direction,
which the directors recommended the meeting to
confirm. (Hear, hear.) They had introduced seve-
ral new features into their prospectus for the year,
and removed several restrictions, with the desire of
making life assurance as simple as possible.
One of the alterations was to render all poli-
cies absolutely indisputable after they had
been five years in force—(hear, hear)—and with
respect to foreign residence, it was now open to all
to reside wherever they pleased by paying down
10s. upon every £lOO assured, which would in
effect be to convert them into whole world policies.
(Hear, hear.) They had made great exertions to
extend the business in Ireland and Scotland with
the best effect, but although all that had been dono
they never could do too much. (Hear, hear.)
Their great desire was to do more, and in that desire
he hoped they would not be disappointed. He should
be glad to answer any questions that might be put to
him, and he would conclude by moving the recep-
tion and adoption of the report. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. FRANCIS WEBB said he seconded the motion
with the greatest pleasure.
The motion of the chairman was then put to the
meeting and carried unanimously.
The retiring directors were re-elected, and the
election of Mr. Coventry confirmed.
Votes of thanks having been awarded to the
directors, the medical officers, and the actuary (Mr.
Messent), the meeting terminated.

CRIMINAL COURT—This Day.

OLD COURT.
(Before Mr. Justice Smith.)
STABBING.

Adam Exall, aged 57, was indicted for feloniously
wounding George John Cox with intent to murder
him.

The prisoner pleaded not guilty.
From the evidence it appeared that the prisoner
and the prosecutor were employed as upholsterers,
and for some time a bad feeling existed on the part of
the prisoner, as he imagined that prosecutor was using
his influence to get him discharged from his em-
ployment. This the prosecutor positively denied,
but quarrels ensued, and the matter ended in the
prisoner attacking Cox.
The jury found the prisoner guilty, and
The learned judge said but for his age he should
have sentenced him to a much severer punishment.
The sentence of the court was that he kept in penal
servitude for the term of ten years.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.—This Day.