The Sun.
London, England, 1818-12-19 00:00:00

NOWICII UNION FIRE INSURANCE.

Yesterday, a Meeting of the Llstirert in the
Norwich' Office took place at the City of London
Tavern, fox the purpose of receiving the final Re-
port. of the London Committee, and other Special
Affairs.

THOMAS BRNg..EY, Esq. being called to the
Chair, thanked the Meeting for this mark of their
favour, and expressed his hope, that
,a patient
hearing would be given to every person. who was
disposed to express his sentiments.
The Report, which was of considerable length,
was then read. Jr was divided into three heads.
I. The rentautiogclnims on the Society;
2. The funds of the Society; and •
a. Its constitution.

raider the first head, a number of cases were mentioned
that had been settled since the last Report was presented.
rii-der the second, the statements in the former Report
wereconfirrned with very little variation, - and some displea-
sure'w,es expressed et the agent's accounts not being cum •
pletely Made up to any definite period.
tinder the third bead, a fact, hig/ily important to London
insurerss•oame out, namely, that, under the deed of settle-
ment, they could not be considered as Members, and that, in
consequence, the Norwich Directors had determined to sepa-
rate the Ldudon branch from the original institution. The
Report went on to state, that the opinion of counsel had been
taken upon the three following queries:—,
1. Could a General Meeting of Members authorise the Di-
rectors to grant policies within the London District and the
Bills of Mortality ?
_

2. Could the renewal of policies, on the part of Mewbers,
be considered as a legal consent on their part, to the admit-
tance of the London Insurers as Members ?

3. Could the Secretary be removed, by the majority of a
General Alerting, without the confirmation of all the Nem-
hers ?

The answer given by the Counsel to the two first queries
was a direct negative. With respect to. the third, some
doubts were expressed; but the Norwich Direetuts, iu their
cot-respondence with the Committee, highly disapproved of
Mr. Bignold senior's conduct, and reconkmended his speedy
retirelitent. •They at trui, same time expressed a resolution,
not to renew insurances'in the London District, as it would
be ihconsistent with the ►l.'eett of settlement. _ .

The Report went on to state, that notwithstanding this,
the Directors would allow to the London insured the sante
advantages'during the term of their policies, as if they wefts
really Members. The policies to expire next Christmas.—
The same difficulties' did not, however, attach to the Life as
to the Fire Insurance branch of the Institution, in the former
of 71 per cent. wits rcroomtunded, to lie deposited on
the premiums as a reserved fund to secure Members against
any claims that may arise. . -
The Report being rintd, and motion made, that it be
received,
Mr. .Bnoosce disapproved ~of the. Report. It
was 'too long, and contained only one important circum-
stance, that which related to the London Insurers. This
question was evaded by the Directors as long as possible, but
when they found it convenient they tried to Shake off the
London Insurers, by means of legal advice. Mr. sear.
'
lett one of the Counsel, who had been consulted, seemed
to be of a different opinion upon 'a former occasion. He
(Mr. it.) doubted Much whether the Norwich Directors were
not thrown out as well as the London Insurers, because the
'second deed was at variance with the first. He thought it
uneaodid and unfair, that the name itf Mr. Bignold, sent.
should be so frequently introduced, and ss often pointed
out with obloquy by the Directors, as if desirous to
throw all the blame front themselves upon him. They made
the London Committee an instrument of drawing down praise
upon themselves, and when that object was effected, shook
off London insurers. An establishment of the saute hind,
having all the advantages, without any of the inconvcitiences
attending the Norwich lOstitution, could be easily formed in
London, and be hoped it would he effected. In the former
Report the accounts were not accurate. They were not roads
up to any distinct period, and there were arrears of expense
not brought forward. He, thanlied God he was no life in-
surer. In that department the expellees of management
were too great, so much so, that they would not allow of the
establishment of another board in London.

• Mr. BARRY said, it was now clear, from the Re-
port, that the-conduct of the Directors was unjust and dis-
honourable: After taking for many years the monies of the
.tendon insurers, it was only now they found that they had
been acting illegally. Mr. scarlett, than whom a more ho-
nourable or uptight man did nut exist, was made to give two
different opinions upon this point of the London insurers ;
but the fact was, that when first consulted, one of the deeds
was Withheld from his consideration. It did not appear to
him (Mr. B.) that the Committee had done any thing of mo-
ment. Much was expected from them, but they verified the
old•classical saying, Parturiunt monies, nasciture ridieulus
711114 They stated, that the Norwich Institution was gene-
rally sritaing a thriving concern: but, that the London
branch of it was quite a losing trade. The Committee, how-
ever, might now he considered ns dead, and in charity they
were, botnl.not -to condemn them. marluis• nisi. tu-
atara. The Directors, when conscious of their own guilt, en-
deavoured to throw all the blame on their Secrettry. If he
acted improperly, the blame belonged to them for having su
long sanctioned his continuance in office.
Mr. MIDDLETON contended that much benefit
was conferred ou the London insurers by the Committee.

Mr. LOckwooD, an' agent of the Institution,
defended the conduct of the Norw•icti Directors.

Mr. BIGNOLD, sett. entered in•o an explanation
of his own conduct as connected with the office, and endea-
voured to prove that it had been the source of great benefit
to the Public. He doubted very mucht;;whether, under the
deed of settlernent,•it was in their power' to dismiss hint front
his situation. The London Committee had their own interest
in view, because they were in expectation of a salary for set-
tlingithe business of the Institution ; and the Norwich Di-
rectors, it was well known, proposed a. coalition with them on
the previous night, by deputation.
Mr: Alderman THORPS tnotOst the Isbours of
the Committee had been productive of great advantages. The
mere communication that the London Insurers could not be
considered as members was a very important fact. They had
also adjusted many unsettled claims, which if delayed longer,
might have reduced the persons concerned to bankruptcy and
distress. The Committee was desirous to know, and t eport
with accuracy, the dvhits against the funds of the Society, but
they could not obtain the necessary information fron► the
Directors. In the Life Department there were balances that
required,investigation. On the whole, he thought the Report
was such a one as ought to he received.
To a question front Mr. BtuNot.u, sen. Alderman Thorpe
allowed that' he was .a Director of another Insurance Office,
but, on his honour, he never brought a single Subscriber to
it. - Abuse had been heaped' upon hint on account of the
part• be.took in this business, but ;he Fated it with con-

tempt.
Mr.-ITANsoN spoke with Muce*.tieverity of Mr.
Bignold, sen. Something like a coalition was certainly pro-
posed on the previous night, but it was withdrawn.
Mr. kl, RaMBLE said, that, on entering tike room,
it was not his intention to obtrude himself on the Meeting.
He felt, in common with the rest of the Committee, that
they had an important, and arduous duty to perform, and that
they must he prepared to meet some degree of disapproba-
tion. They had, however, their own reward, in the con-
sciousness of upright intention, and of having fulfilled in the
hest way they could the trust confided to them. The ltepott
produced was as exact and complete as the documents they
had an uppvtunity of consulting admitted. They had " no-
thing
extenuated, nor set down aught in malice." The
Committee had to steer their course through various con-
tending parties, interests, and passions. Some degree of
error was then, perhaps, unavoidable, anti if it existed, eer
fain he was that it arose from no unworthy motive. Could
it appear that any thing was concealed or exaggerated by
theinsfoi sinister purposes, it was the business of the Meet-
ing to, mark their Report with severe reprobation. if no
such motives could be proved, they deserved credit fur
,what
they had done; and it was but just to conclude that they would
have done more if it lay in their power. He felt some sur-
prise at hearing Mr. Brooke express his disapprobation of
the Report. That Gentleman's'attendanee at the Committee
was not frequent, on account, as he himself sta.ted, of ill
health. If he was labouring- under a suppression, lie must
now !eel bettor, as he bad an opportunity of throwing it
off.—(A Laugh.)—Mr. Brooke, both in the Committee and
out, was always touching upon one point. Like Lepitive's
prize of 2,9, 5,8, in the Flu cc, that point was always
uppermost with hint. He (Mr. H. Kemble) should not
wish his name withdrawn front any thing the Committee
had done. By thei first Report they performed an important
service to their fellow-citizens. They opened to thew, as far
as documents would allow, the state of the Soeicte's funds.
That statement was either borne out, or corrected' in some.
Parts by the present Report. The Committee adopted the

only course within their reach. They had not only given
a statement of the Lows, and toe oemaitus tip,o io. ,
bus they. also expressed their disapprobation of the
tier in which the accounts were kept ; they noticed the
impolier of the mode in which the Secretary was pa'l, by
which his interest was put in opposition to that of the Mem-
bers. They fairly laid•open the result-of all theirMounruni-
cations and correspondence with the Norwich Directors.
Such' being the_ case, he saw no reason why the Report
should not be received. He felt convinced that the princi-
ple of mutual insurance was a good one, notwithstanding the
losses experienced in the London district, which were to
be attributed entirely to the BOard of Management. With
respect to Mr. Barry,-who disapproved so much of the Re-
port, he belonged to that honourable profession which, what-
ever its Members may maintain in public, did not make them
responsible for their opinions.. It w'as their business, and
generally their aim, to produce an effect upon the Meeting
they addressed, without feeling touch solicitude upon the
score either of,- truth
,or moral rectitude. Such was not
his (Mr. Kemhle's) care. lie addressed them as a plain
tradesman; without the intention to deceive, or the ability
to mislead ; for if he could not live by his honesty, certain
lie was he could not by his wits. He felt grateful to Mr.
Barry for his quotations. The Parturient mantes was nut
very new; and the Nil dc mortals, as he considered Mr.
sen. • now quite defunct, he should take the li-
lierey of applying to that gentleman, and express his hope
that they would never-hear any thing more about him. As to
the observations made by the Gentleman -on his left, he
would tell a plain tale upon that subject. It could not have
escaped the Norwich Directors; that the London Insurers,
might,- if they pleased, obtain the benefit of mutual Insur-
ance. If a new Office num) this plan were formed, it was
communicated to him that the Norwich Dit ectors would Afoul
it every facility in their power, by lending their engines, and
a part of their Oilier, for six months, with liberty also to juin
the Life Insurance Department of the Norwich Institution,
if they pleased. This -offer he-thought was made by the De-
putation last night in pet feet good faith ; bur it was declined,
and being withdrawn, did not appear in the Report., Hav-
ing cnade these few observations, he would appeal to the
Meeting in behalf of the motion that the Report he
received,

Mr. Alderman PArrrsoN, of Norwich, defended
the conduct of the Directors.

The Report was then received, and ordered to be printed.
To a question put by Mr. Brooke,

Mr. SAMUEL IiIGNOLD jun. answered, that
with respect to policies unexpired, the Directors would be
answerable fur all losses; and if the insurer wished to with-
draw his policy, he should be paid what he was fairly entitled
to on account of the time unexpired.
It was then resolved to call a Metting on the 30tb inst. for
the purpose of estahlishink a London Fire and Lite Insurancit
Company, on the prin'ciple ofimit nal interest and mutual risk.
A vote of thanks to the Norwich Directors was- negatived.
Some Resolutions u'e then agreed to, which will be found in
the frunt of this Paper.

UNIVERSIII7 INTELLIGENCE.