The Sun.
London, England, 1850-01-22 00:00:00

LAW INTELLIGENCE.

EXCHEQUER CHAMBER.
(THIS DAY.)

THE BRAINTREE CIILTRCII-PATE CASE.-GOSLING V.

VELEY.

This long pending case, 'loch has excited so ninth
interest, came on fir judgment this morning.
Toe judges present were Lord Chi( f Justice Wilde,
Mr. JmCce Cresswell, Mr. Justice Maule, Barons Parke,
Alderson, Rolfe, Malin., and Platt. Their Lordships not
concurring, read their judgments serlatim.
Mr. Baron PLATT, nfcer golng through the facts of
the case, and reading some extracts from the judgments
ot the Court of Queen's Bench, obierve t, that two que•-
Lions had been raised, to the consideration of which the
attention of their Lordship, sitting in error, had been
specially called. The first was, whether the rata had
been properly made. The next, whether the plaintiff
was liah!e to the payment of his portion of the rate.
Atter the most careful examination of the arguments
and aliborities bearing on the cave, he (Baron rititt)
was of opinion that the rate had been properly made,
and that the plaintiff, being a person having property in
the parish, was liable to his share of such rate.
Mr. Justice CnEsswELL said he s as of opinion, that
if .e lodgment cf the Court of Queen's Leach ought to
be affirmed. _ _ _

Air. Baron ROLFE was of opinion that the judgment
of the Court of Queell's Bench was erroneous, and
stvAild be reversed. The imposing ( f a church-
rata was an act c f legislation. The ques-
tion was not whether the parishioners should
make a rate, but what should be the amount of the
rive. That was clearly a matt‘r to be decided by a
majority of the parishioners. He could not consider
that a valid rate which puni,hed the majority, because
sanctioned by a minority. For these reasons he thought
that the judgment of the Court of Qaeen's Bench was
wrong, end should be reversed.
Mr. Justice MAIILE observed that, by the ancient law
of England, the parishioners were bound to keep the
church in repair. Even though a majority might ob-
ject to the rate, still a minority might make a valid
rate. His Lordship was, therefore, of opinion that the
lodgment of the Court of Queer's Bench should be
affirmed. _ _ _ .

Mr. Baron ALDERSON was also of opinion that the
rate was valid, and binding on the whole of the pa-
rishionere, though made only by a minority. For this
reason he was of opinion the judgment of the Court of
Queen's Bench should he affirmed.
Mr. Baron PARKE, after going over the facts of the
case, said he was clearly of opinion that the judgment of
the Court below ought to be reversed. He w as of opinion
that no rate was valid which had not the concurrence of
a majority of the parishioners.
Lord Chief Justice Winnr, having referred to the law
applicable to the imposition of church-rates, said he
was of opinion that a valid rate could only be made by a
majority of the parishioners; he therefore came to the
conclusion that the judgment of the Court cf Queen's
Bench should be reverses'.

MARLBRO'-STREET-(THIS DAY.)

A COUPLE OF MISCREANTS.—John Malden, a plum-
ber, residing in Coleman-street, and Nathaniel Lukins, a
gentleman's servant, residing at No. 19, Albemarle -
street, were brought before Mr. Bingham, charged with
meeting each °tie; to commit a nameless offence in
Hyde -park.
It appeared from the evidence of Police-constable A
244, that about nine o'clock cn the previous night
he was in Hyde-pArls, watching some loose women,
when his attention was called to a° prisoners,
who were st inding together close to a tre
within a few feet of the foot-path. On going
up t) them, he found them in such a posi-
tion as to leave no doubt on his mind of their filthy in-
tentions. As such scenes had laVerly become so preva-
lent, he took them both int ) custody and conveyed them
to the station.

The defendants said there was not the least truth in
the constable's statement. They %lent to the tree for s
certain purpose, when the constable came up and took
them to the station.

Mr. BINGHAM said he had no doubt i f the guilt
of the prisonurp, and committed them both fur trial.

SONG TO BE SUNG BY THE RUSSIAN FOUR-
AND-A-HALF PER CENT. BONDHOLDERS
ON RECEIVING THEIR FIRST DIVIDEND.

'Tis nothing to us if the Danube t e red
With the innocent blood which the Cossack has shed;
And we are not concerned if the loyal and brave,
Have fallen on the hanks of the Theiss and the Jave.
For though oft denied by the sages of old,
There is nought upon earth has such virtue as gold;
And many wise doctors most truly have said
That conscience should never nstiein us from trade.
We cared pca to see those wild Servians rebel,
\•cr the Croats break loose like legions f hell;
And we don't care a snap of our finger and thumb,
If patriots be shot to the sound of the drum.
For our own coffers are full and our harvest is in,
And when we are attacked 'twill be Limo to begin;
And if while the sun is still bright we make hay,
We can hoard up our gains f.)r a rainy day.
We care not. though Hungary's maids were defiled,
And Sclavonians destroyed all her women with child;
Though the widow were slain with her orphans around,
And the wife with her husband lay dead on the ground.
For our fleets rule the seas, and we do not fear
Either Jellachich's sword or the hotti of the Bear;
But ravishers, thieves, and murderers pay Lost,
Since the fruit of their crimes they spend in the West.
And we will not cry shame should they tear from the

breast
The suckling at Haynau's relentless behest;
if the daughter who duteously stele to relieve
The wants of her father may hope no reprieve.
For our offspring fill fatten on Hungary's spoil,
And gold has a taste far sweeter than oil;
And Muscovy's government is far the most free,
Since it gives fire per cent., while England pays three.
Though the merciless buteber together would slay
The maid with the lover she will not betray;"
Though the flames of Czangrad have lighted the sky,
And Turkey laid waste we soon shall descry.
Our armies are strung, and our cliffs round our land
Keep I ack the invader from t mching our strand;
Let our stomachs with beef and plum-pudding be full,
And the Eagles may wave o'er the towers of Staraboul.f
Lit Auttrian zealots the Testaments burn, _

The true Ruse c f Faith is " a penny to turn;"
And though Israel's sufferings the despots renew,
On the plunder shall thrive both Gentile and Jew.
Let the slave-holding bigot then rule the Levant,
Let Odessa the trade of our merchants supplai t,
Let Hungary's clergy be hanged at each shrine,
We'll drink to ti.e Emperor in stolen Tokay wine.
PEDRO TRANASSES VALDEZ.
4, Kingsbench-whlk, Temple, Jan. 18.

PROVIDENT' CLERKS' MUTUA L
LIFE ASSURANCE ASSOCIATION.
Yesterday evening the ninth annual general
meeting ef the members of the Mutual Benefit Depart-
, ment of this laudable and excellent association was
held at the London Tavern, Bishopsgate-street.
Mr. It. 11. Jones, the chairman of the board of
management, occupied the chair, and was supported,
right and left, by a large body of the managers,
among whom we noticed Mr. J. W. Welch, Mr. J.
C arise, Mr. A. Dawson, Mr. James Lintott, Mr.
Ratray (actuary), Mr. Stnee, Mr. Maitland, and
several others. There was also a large number of
members present.
The CHAIRMAN called upon Mr. P. IL Byrne, the
secretary, to read the report, which he did as
follows :
" The board of management, in pi eqseting to the
members the ninth annual report of the affairs of this
association, have much pleasure in communicating to
them that a considerable increase has taken place during
the past year, both in the number of policies taken out
and in the amount of assurances effected.
"In the last year 568 policie s have been issued for
115,8651, the annual premiums upon which are 3,242/.;
57 proposals for assurance have been declined, and 62
proposals are deferred, withdi awn, or waiting for further
information.
" The business for 1849 has consequently grertly ex-
ceeded that of any year since the formation o: the asso-
ciation, and is an increase of 134 policies for 30,755/. over
the prosperous year of 1848.
" The annual premiums payable in respect of the
policies in existence, together with the dividends on in-
vested capital, now amounts to 11,6251.
" It is satisfactory to the board to be able to announce
that, during the 3 ear 1849, thew purchased 5,0001. stock,
and that t".e total amount in the names of the trustees,
on the 31st December last, was 20,0001. Three-and-a-
Quarter per Cents.
" The total amount of claims arising from 20 deaths
during the past year was 3,850/. The severe visitation
of the cholera and diarrheas, by which this country was
affected, augmented the mortality amongst the assurers
ay four deaths, amounting to 1,300/, but it is satisfac-
tory to know that in proportion to the number of mem •
hers the above claims are less than could have been an-
ticipated.
" In the course of the past year deputations from the
hoard of management have visited Birmingham, Man-
chester, Liverpool, and Edinburgh, on the subject f
agencies and the general affairs of the association. The
deputations were most cordially received by the princi-
pals of many of the leading mercantile and banking firms,
and the business has since been considerably increased.
" The board are happy in having bad the opportunity
of making known through such means the peculiar ad-
vantages of this association in these important places.
In accordance with the rules, the undermentioned
gentlemen go out of office by rotatior, and, being duly
qualified, offer themselves fur re-election: Messrs.
John Clarke, Alexander Dawson, James Lintott, and
John White Welch."
" The board having, at the special meeting of the Bth
February, 1849, given a pledge that the auditors should
be elected by the general body of members, considered
that as the time of carrying out that understanding a good
opportunity presented itself of making some alterations
in, and additions to the rules; accordingly, at the special
meeting of toe members held at the London Tavern, on
the 2d of January, 1850, various other alterations and
additions were proposed by the board, and approved by
the meeting. These alterations were certified by Mr.
Tidd Pratt on the 14th instant, and consequently are
now in force. One of the most important alterations
was to mum-, ace the amount to be assured on any one
life from 1,000/. to 2,000/.
"In order to give every facility to the extension of the
business of the association the board have determined to
adopt a table of premiums for assurances not participating
in profits.
" On previous occasions the board have directed the at-
tention of members to the important privilege they pos-
sess of nominating any party to receive the amount of
their policies free of legacy or probate duty, or any other
expense whatever; and they would again strongly re-
commend all parties, who have not already done so, to
avail themselves of the great advantage they possess
under the Act of Parliament, and at the same time to
make it known among their friends to the greatest pos-
sible extent; the managers are safsfied that were the
peculiar advantage thus enjoyed by this association ge-
nerally made known, it would lead to a great accessioa
of business, promoting the it terest of the association at
large and of every individual member.
" The board also direct the attention of members to
the importance of having the age admitted on their po-
licies at the time t. f effecting the assurance, or as soon
after as possible, by which much ulterior inconvenience
would be saved to the members or their representatives,
and the business of the office would be greatly fa-
cilit sled.
" The board, in conclusion, whilst congratu'ating the
members on the successful result of the operations of the
past year are, nevertheless, fully impressed of the neces-
sity for coatinued and increased exertions, and they call
upon the members generally to co-operate with
them in promoting the business of this excellent as-

sociation."
The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the re-
port, said the first thing that occurred to him was
mutual congratulation that they had been spared to
meet again on this occasion, when twenty of their
members had been cut off during the past
year;
this was the ninth time the board of management had
had the agreeable opportunity of presenting themselves
before the members, on all occasions receiving that
hearty co-operation which he thought would be ex-
tended to them on the present occasion. They would
observe by the report that the directors had greatly
increased their business during the past year, out of
all proportion to former years. To what cause to as-
cribe that it was rather difficult to say. It was re-
ferable to a variety of causes ; hut the managers had,
during the past year, . used no small exertion
in various ways to accomplish what, he
was happy to say,
,was so favourable, a
result. Whether it arose from advertising,
from deputations, from the issuing of something like
16,000 circulars during the past year, or from
whatever cause, certain it was that they had
made a very rapid progress, and he hoped it
would be continued during the present year. It cer-
tainly bore out the prognostications of the board on
former occasions, that this society was destined to
become one of great importance ; every day showed
it was approaching to that position ; and, although
they were all heartily pleased with the great addition
made in the number of members, and the amount
during the paat year, that was not the only thing
that was gratifying to them, it was the know-
ledge of the many members added to the already
great number, whereby so many families were pro-
vided for, and so many wives, and children,
were feeling that comfort which the provision
made by so many members had procured
for them. These were circumstances which were
most gratifying to the feelings of the managers,
because they had commenced the association with the
earnest desire that it should enable, till then, unthink-
ing men to make provision according to their means,
inure or less, for those they might leave behind
them. They had heard in the report an allusion
made to the process by which members in
their lifetime might, by signing a certain form
of nomination provided by the society,:save them-
selves a great deal of trouble now, and their survi-
vors a great deal of expense afterwards. It was a
simple process by which the probate and legacy duty
might be saved upon life policies, and also a great
deal of law expense.—(Cheers.) Another important
point was the arrangement by which the members
might have their age admitted, which would also
save an enormous deal of trouble. During the past
year deputations from the society had held public
meetings in Manchester and Liverpool, among other
places. His friend, the deputy-chairman, who was
present at. the Manchester meeting, would probably
make some reference to it in the course of the even-
ing. 'While at Liverpool several letters were re-
ceived from gentlemen in Ireland, expressing their
desire to become members of this association,
but it was not thought desirable by the managers to
extend their affairs to Ireland.—(Hear.) But inas-
much as there was some opinion expressed by several
individuals having the good of the institution at heart,
that the applications from Ireland should be enter-
tained, and he (the Chairman) being at Liverpool, it
was deemed advisable that he should go over to Dub •
lin and judge for himself whether it would be prudent
or not to extend the business of the society to Ireland.
The result of his inquiries there was contradictory
certainly, but being contradictory it was necessary to
come to the determination not to extend their busi-
ness to that quarter. He would take that opportunity
of alluding to a gentleman who had showed him (the
Chairman) particular attention on that occasion, and
had subsequently written to the board of management;
he meant Mr. Codd, the Secretary of the Dublin
Chamber of Commerce, who was pointed out to him
as a gentleman who could give him great information,
and who had shown him, as a stranger, the greatest
attention. (Applause.) He (the Chairman)
would now publicly acknowledge that at-
tention. The Chairman concluded by inviting
the gentlemen present to put such questions as they
deemed necessary to elicit any information respecting
the affairs of the association, saying he would do his
best to answer them, and by moving the adoption of
the report and balance-sheet.—(Cheers.)
Mr. ISELIN, in seconding the resolution, congratu-
lated the meeting on the fact of their having 20,0001.
invested in the names of the trustees in the Three-
and-a-Quarter per Cent. Consols. It was quite evident
that result had not been brought about without ex-
traordinary exertion on the part of the directors. He
understood so diligent had they been during the past
year that on many occasions the meetings of their
committees had been prolonged to ten o'clock at
night, and that not merely occasionally, but always.
The deputations in the provinces had been extended,
and it was only by their exertions, assisted by those
of the directors, that the knowledge of the association
and the benefits it confers could be circulated through-
out the country.
The resolution was then put and carried.
Mr. D FARE moved a vote of thanks
,to the Board
of Management, end also that the sum of 5001. should
be awarded to them for their valuable and efficient
services during the past year. Every member would

agree with him that the managers of the association were
entitled to their warmest thanks for the very efficient
manner in which they had conducted its affairs, espe-
cially when it was considered that they were engaged
in business during the day, and had to devote their
evenings to the association, in order properly to dis-
charge the duties of their office. IL congratulated
the members upon the very favourable report which
hart been presented to the meeting, and said he felt
quite confident that a better board of management they
could
,not have. The sum of 500/., he thought, was
not at all equivalent remuneration for the time and
labour which the board had devoted to the society ;
but then he knew that they were actuated by other
motives than those of emolument. Comparing the
expenses with the receipts, they were certainly great,
but this might be easily accounted for—the expense of
making the association known, and placing its object
and advantages before the public being very consi-
derable, and indeed such was the benefit of publicity
to a young society, that he thought a much larger
sum might be expended in advertisements and in
deputations to the country.
Mr. SHAW briefly seconded the resolution.

The CHAIRMAN said the proposition had been made
without his or the directors' knowledge, and certainly
without knowing what their feelings were on the
subject. They were very much indebted to the mover
and seconder for the kindness which actuated them in
proposing that they should have increased remunera-
tion, but they felt that the sum should remain as it
did last year ; and he would respectfully suggest
that 4001. should be substituted for 500/.—(Hear.)
Mr. DEARE thought, as the business had so much
increased during the past year, it would he hardly
worth while altering the sum proposed by him.
Mr. R. BELL said that 4001. appeared to him to be
almost a ridiculous sum to present to the directors,
considering their great exertions on behalf of the as-
sociation. He thought they were rather too sparing
in the expenses, and the mover and seconder seemed
to entertain the same opinion. It was impossible for
any office,lowever little the business, to be conducted,
at less expense, and they were much indebted to the
managers for having such a ridiculously small sum
as 6501. set down in the.accounts for office expenses.
They all remembered a trite but very excellent ob-
servation of their old friend Lindley Murray, that the
well ordering of their affairs, and not mean saving,
was the means by which great fortunes were made.
This, he thought, might be applied to the associa-
tion, and he hoped that instead of limiting their ex-
penses, as they had done, they would considerably in-
crease them, for he was assured that the result would be
a great increase in the amount of business. By being
a little more daring, and launching at a little more in
regard to their expenses, he was assured that great
benefit would result to the institution. He had great
pleasure in recording his vote for 5001.
Mr. WELCH said he fully concurred in the obser-
vations made by the Chairman, and though he felt
much indebted to those members who supported the
resolution, he thought it would be advisable to allow
the amount to stand as it did last year. Let them
go on further and increase in prosperity, and then
they would, perhaps, accede to the offer which, on the
present occasion, appeared to have been made with so
much unanimity.—(Cheers.)
The sum was then altered to 4001., and the resolu-
tion was unanimously carried.
The CHAIRMAN said he believed they would seldom
find instances in which parties refused to accept what
was given to them, but he spoke sincerely when he
said, on behalf of himself and his colleagues, that they
had no desire on the present occasion to exceed the
amount which had previously been awarded to them.
Remuneration had never been their object, but, at the
same time, they thought that it was desirable and
right that they should, on principle, receive some-
thing for their services. He begged to thank them
sincerely for the vote of thanks which had been so
kindly awarded to them.—(Cheers.)
The retiring directors were then re-elected.
The election of auditors, three innumber, then took
place by show of hands, the successful candidates
being Messrs. Bell, Coleman, and Hooper.
Mr. JENNINGS said he had been of opinion that
fresh blood ought to be infused into the board, al-
though he meant not to cast any reflection upon the
members who composed it ; bu ts they had shown so
much interest in the association, and displayed so
much good sense and spirit, that, he had altered his
opinion with respect to them, and now thought they
could not have a better board of management. He
thought it well to take that opportunity of staling
that he had been made the dupe of the late secretary,
and had come to the meeting, held some time ago,
much prejudiced against the directors, but from what
he heard he was so satisfied that the directors de-
served the confidence of the members, that he sup-
ported them on that occasion, and he subsequently
stated to the Chairman that he had been de -
ceived as to the conduct of the directors.—(Hear.)
Mr. MAITLAND proposed a vote of thanks to the
Press, fur its continued support and advocacy of
the association during the past year, and pointed out
the great advantages which had resulted from obtain-
ing publicity in the different newspaper columns by
advertisements and the publication of reports. Their
office had not appeared in the Parliamentary return,
which was copied into the City article of the Times,
of all the assurance offices recently established, and
though it, strictly speaking, did not come within
the scope of that return, the directors felt the import-
ance of publicity,l and made a statement of their re-
ceipts and liabilities,' and thus enabled the public to
judge of its security and advantages.—(Cheers.)
Mr. Pates seconded the motion, which was
carried.

Mr. SCOTT said—Mr. Chairman and gentlemen,
as a very humble member of the press, but more
especially as a member of this institution—(Cheers)
—I cannot allow the motion, which has been so cor-
dially adopted, to be recorded without expressing my
acknowledgments, on behalf of the press, for so
flattering a mention of the services which they have
rendered to this institution. Indeed, I may say, that
the press discharges no more than its simple duty
when it employs the vast influence at
its command in promoting provident and benevolent
institutions of this kind,
which are so creditable to
our country, since they promote habits of forethought,
self-reliance, and independence, and relieve those who
laid
low energies
in failthe them,rave.— r
have the prudence to become members of them from
a world of anxiety as to the condition of those near
endwhe
when death
to
them when
has
(Cries of " Hear, hear.") But g
, Sir, I rose
for purpose—namely, to offer a
sorggesatnioont,hewr p tn
hiehpyrt
think
will
be
approvedofmomentmoneyamemberfor a
temporarywishes of by the
directors, be most acceptable to the members, and
promote the prosperity of the institution. At the pre-
sentto obtainpurpos
et e
thoughl o a n of
a
possessed of ample means not immediately available,
he must come under the guise of distress to
the benevolent fund fur a loan, and even then,
ai
ut hds se
-t
et awun
redi
uti
ynt
yg, p he
he
pounds.—(Hear
n dms
can.a_y beHo
he
at
obtain
e i,
nlenatnro. omff)
leo r e x
raemti excel-
security,
ril
n-.
notwithstanding he may be able to offer excel-
-1 eorntetw.
fectly aware that the Act of Parliament under which
this society is enrolled requires that loans must be
made upon mortgages of real property. Supposing,
then, a man who, through the aid of those excellent
institutions known as building and investment so-
cieties, has been enabled to become the owner of a
house of the value of 200/. or 300/., why should you
not advance him a fair sum upon the
mortgage of his property ? (Hear, hear.)
If a member has paid 1001. or 2001. upon his policy,
and could give good leasehold or freehold security
besides, I see no reason why he should not receive
a loan to that amount out of the funds of the society.
Whilst we have increased the amount of our policies,
the qualification of our directors, and so much in
prosperity, that I cannot conceive any amount of
success which this society may not attain, we have
done little or nothing to afford pecuniary assistance
to the members commensurate with their
requirements, and with the greatness of the society.
It cannot be said that you have not sufficiently ample
means wherewith to accomplish this, for your in-
vested capital amounts to upwards of 20,0001, which
realises only three and a quarter per cent., whereas
by adopting my suggestion a considerable portion
might be made the means of producing 51. per cent.,
besides materially increasing your business. Why,
I could name several assurance offices half
of whose business is obtained by this
means, and I assure you they find it
very profitable, for not only do they get five
per cent. for the money which they lend, but one
or more policies, as collateral security, two or three
times the amount of the sum lent, besides security
of the most unquestionable kind.—(Hear.) See how
the institution suffers from not acting,on the system
adopted:most beneficially by.almost all assurance com-
panies. As the editor of the Reporter--a periodical
which is devoted to societies of this kind—
many questions are frequently asked me as to the
stability of assurance offices, and as to those most
fitted to the particular requirements of the querists ;
and, the other day, a gentleman, who occupies an offi-
cial situation in a seaport town, where the society has
no agent, and where, Ibelieve, a good deal of business
might be done by an intelligent agent, applied to
me to recommend him an office which would
lend him 2001. upon valuable leasehold premises.
He offered to take out a policy of 500/., and to be-
come the agent of the society. I should recommend
him, and being an active and intelligent man, will,
doubtless bring any office, with which he may be con-
nected a considerable amount of business. I never
felt more disposed to do this office a service than in
this particular case ; but I was reluctantly compelled
to give the business to another office. There-
fore the society has lost a policy of 5001.,
a secure and, profitable investment of its money, and
an able and indefatigable
_agent. The present mode
in which the society lends money is very offensive to
those who are not in distressed circumstances, but
who, occasionally, require pecuniary assistance, upon

mnrSffveco*
pst:
rercihoesndWeer
Though
security, for commercial or other purposes.
Inough I should be wanting in respect to the society
if I did not say, in making this suggestion, that the
loans of which I speak have been found most advan-
tageous by many, coming as they do at a time of
.difficulty, and perhaps of danger, and relieving much
pain and much anxiety. My suggestion is, that whilst
you should pursue the benevolent work of lending
email sums, at moderate interest, to members who are
in difficulty, you should, at the same time, lend
large sums, upon good security,' for commercial
and. .other purposes.—(Hear, bear.)j From the
disposition which the board of directors have
ever shown to meet the suggestions that
are offered by the members, I feel confident that if
on consideration they find the suggestions I have
made. to be practical and beneficial, they will not
hesitate to adopt them. Of this, however, I am sure,
thet by doing so they will materially augment the
business of the society.—(Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN replied that the association could
no', under the Friendly Societies Act, lend
money upon policies, and could only do so upon
mortgages of freehold property. As regarded the
capital stock invested in ,the funds, the trustees
considerd it advisable to go on till they had accumu-
lated 20,0001., and that had been accomplished, and,
he was happy to say, that since the 31st of Decem-
ber. 1,5001. more had been invested.—(Cheers.) The
directors were quite alive to the advantage of lending
money, on the plan suggested by Mr. Scott, and the
subject had not escaped their attention.—(Hear.)
Mr. WELcH proposed—
" That the thanks of this meeting be presentei to the
l
a rS)i,
elhi tbr
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in Manchester was apparent ; many of the
commercial houses there employed no less than 100
clerks, and he was happy to say that many of the
leading inhabitants of the town had taken a great
interest in the association, and he could not avoid
alluding specially to the assistance they bad received
from their agent, Mr. Langston, and from Mr.
Yates, a warm friend of the association.
Although the expenses for extending the busi-
ness in the provinces might be considered
large, their missions had been productive of much
good. They had received already, in consequence of
them, 49 proposals, amounting to 14,0001., and the
benevolent department had received donations
amounting to 901.—(Hear, hear, and cheers.)
In many towns they went into they found the Pro-
vident Clerks' Association hardly known; therefore
great exertions to extend the business in the pro-
vinces should be continued, and if a constant system
of visiting a'l the mercantile towns in the kingdom
could be k: pt up, he anticipated that much good
would be done, provided the time could be spared,
for they must be aware that such visits occupied a
good deal of time and caused much anxiety ;
but, so long as such a course of proceedings
was successful, so long should they continue to labour,
and the utmost gratification they could experience
would be the knowledge of the fact, that they had
contributed to the prosperity of the association.
Mr. Joitaasr had much pleasure in seconding the
motion. Having been the companion of his friend in
their late visits, and been with him in constant com-
munication with their agents and medical referees,
he agreed with all he had said.
Tne motion was carried unanimously.
Mr. SMEE returned thanks on behalf of himself
and the other medical officers. The office of medical
referee was a very subordinate one in a life assurance
society, because, if the directors had not by their
exertions procured business, they would, as a matter
of course, have no lives to examine. Moreover, it
would be very little use examining lives, if the ac-
tuary had not developed the laws of mor-
tality ; yet, nevertheless, the duties of a me-
dical referee were in some respects important,
inasmuch as each specific case came under his parti-
cular superintendence, and they were able to bring
the facts and statistics which they gathered in the
course of their medical education to bear upon the
task they were called upon to discharge. And in a
mutual office, like that, the experience which they
obtained of the value of human life was great on
account of the variety of persons they had to examine.
They would remember that about that time last year
he called attention to the fact that an awful epidemic
was impending over this country. That the epidemic
was about to visit this country, was to those of his
profession a matter of fact from tracing its progress
in other countries. By doing so they knew it would
certainly arrive here, and he asked them all to get
their friends to come and assure their lives before it
should visit this country.—(Hear, bear.) He had
entered into an examination of the effect which the
epidemic had had upon this association, and he was
prepared to state that the mortality among
the members had not been one-half, in-
deed not near one-half, of the mortality
that had taken place among the best selected lives of
all other classes of the community.—(Hear.) This
important fact ho could not pass over on the pre- '
sent occasion, because he considered it an extremely
remarkable and important one.—(Hear.) They
knew that the epidemic proved fatal to those of weak
and debilitated constitutions, or which, in medical
phraseology, might be termed " lives below
the average." From there being so small
an amount of mortality in the society, he
thought that they might fairly say that the
whole of the lives were in all respects better than
they bad anticipated.—(Hear.) Before he sat down
he wished to urge upon the members not only to
induce other clerks to follow their example, and be s
come members of the association, but to induce their
employers also to do so.—(Hear, hear.) There was
nothing like the security and advantage of an
assurance office that embraced all classes of the
community, and looking at the amount of
their invested capital, and to the excellence of the
management pursued by the board of directors,
he knew of no institution that offered greater ad-
vantage, or which more deserved the liberal support
of all classes of the community.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. WELCH bad omitted to state an interest-
ing fact, that a friend of his, the chief partner in
a mercantile house in Liverpool, had informed
him that, having examined their prospectuses and read
their reports, he was [so satisfied that the society was
firmly and securely established that he would assure
his life for 2,oool.—(Hear, hear.) At that time they
could not, take so large a policy, but he assured
his life for 1,0001., and he would increase it to
2,0001. This was an interesting fact, inasmuch as
if they could get principals to do likewise, and to take
an interest in the association—and they could
assure their lives with as much benefit and
security in it as in any other office—
their businoss would be materially- augmented. Tnus
they would not only benefit themselves, but induce
those in their employ to follow their example. They
could invite with great confidence principals as well
as clerks to become members.—(Cheers.)
Mr. RantAr (the actuary) returned thanks.
He wished to take that opportunity of calling atten
tion to the extremely encouraging balance-sheet
they had had presented to them.—(llear, hear.)
When it was borne in mind that during
the past year they had increased their income
by 3,5001. from new business, he assured them, after
a careful examination of the balance-sheets of numbers
of offices in his professional capacity, that it would
bear comparison—favourable comparison—with those
of many other offices of greater standing. Few,
indeed, of them could show the same amount of
business—many offices of equal standing cannot do
so ; and when, -on the other side, they found that the
expenditure had been small, he did say that the whole
aspect of the association was most encouraging.
Tne utmost labour was devoted by the
managers to the promotion of the success
of the society.—(Hear, hear.) He could corroborate
the testimony given by Mr. Smee that the board of
directors were most indefatigable, so also were
those employed in the office.—(Hear, hear.)
alteration of the rule empowering the directors to
issue policies to the amount of 2,000/. was a step in
The
the right direction, and when it was borne in mind
that they possessed the important privilege not pos-
sessed by the majority of assurance offices—namely,
the privilege of nominating others to receive
the amount of their policies without legacy or pro-
bate- duty, he did think that that society deserved the
most extended support. If gentlemen would bestir
themselves they could produce an amount of business
of which hitherto they had no idea.—(Hear, hear.)
He thought they might by exertion obtain much
support from the higher classes. The business was
so encouraging, and the expenses so small, that the
society could not fail to progress.—(Hear, bear.) The
rules were so liberal, and the care, attention, and
consideration of the directors so great, that the society
must continue to recommend itself to the public.
Mr. Bell, Mr. Hooper, and Mr. Coleman were then
elected as the auditors for the ensuing year.
Mr. HOOPER returned thanks for the honour con-
ferred upon them. No one, he felt bound to say, had
devoted more care and attention to the business of the
institution than the Chairman—(Hear)—and theim-
partial manner in which he had conducted the past
and present meeting fully entitled him to the cordial
thanks of the members.—(Hear.)
Mr. LLOYD seconded the motion, and said it be-
hoved him to state that he had had an opportunity of
seeing the way in which the business
the hot
was transacted.
He found the directors, during
months, during that dangerous season or, the year,
when a fearful epidemic was devastating the popula-
tion, the board frequently sat till ten o'clock at night
investigating the effitirsisof the society.--(Hear, hear.)

The Chairman, he considered, deserved the utmost
thanks.—(Hear, hear.) He regretted the mo
desty of the directors would not allow them to
take the increased reward that was offered them for
their valuable services. had he been the proposer or
seconder of the motion he should not have withdrawn
it; first, because they deserved it, and, secondly, be-
cause the society could afford it.—( Hear, hear.)
And net only was the Chairman ably seconded by the
directors, but by the gentlemen employed in the office.
The books were excellently kept, the suggestions
made were carried out in such a kind spirit, that he
was satisfied no institution was so admirably managed.
He thought they did not go as much into the country
districts as they might, and thought it well they should
hold friendly meetings withi❑ a circuit of five or six
miles of the metropolis. The directors should adver-
tise now in the best periodicals.—(Hear.)
The CHAIRMAN said he was extremely obliged for
that additional mark of their kindness towards himself,
and he must always include his colleagues The
meeting might rest assured that any hints that had
been thrown out in the course of the evening would
be attended to by the Board of Management ; but if'
they did not adopt them it would be after consultation,
in which it might be presumed it had not been advis-
able to do so. He hoped that at their next annual
meeting they would find things going on to their
entire satisfaction.—(Applause-)
The meeting then separated.