The Sun.
London, England, 1818-09-26 00:00:00

NORWICH UNION sOCIETY.

Yesterday a Meeting of Insurers took place at
the London Tavern, Bishopsgate-street, fur the
purpose of receiving the Report of the London
Committee, appointed on the 27th of July last,
at the York Hotel, Bridge-street, for the spe-
cial purpose of investigating the late charges
made against the Norwich Union Fire and Life
Office. No insurers were admitted but such as
brought with them their receipt, tor the current
dear. The Nleeting was very 11111HerOH5 and high-
iy respectable.
THostas Berrstev, Esq. ,being called to the
Chair,
Mr. Alderman JOHN PATTESON, of Norwich,
moved, that the Report of the Committee he read.
The motion was seconded by Mr. PARDAC ; and
the Secretary of the Committee, Mr. F. A.
CLARKR, then proceeded in read the Report.
It
was very voluminous, and detailed the manner in
which the Loudon Committee was appointed ; the
vations complaints laid before them; the natore of
the claims made, and the mode in which they
were adi,,sred ; the rise and progress of the Insti-
tution ; their profits for 21 years, since the fi's,
e.tah iii ate tt ; the amount of funds, and their
mode of io vestment ; the reasons for naming cer-
tain Noblemen as Trustees, thou;01 not actually
invested with any trust. The Committee ad-
mitted that the title tat l'atrous, with respect to
those Nohlionen, would he more appropriate, hut
stated at the saute time, that their names were
not used without their approbation, and that
many persons of the highest respectability, men-
tioned as Trustees, were so to all intents and pur•
poses. The Report went on to state, that the
Committee were unanimous in their opinion as
to the general merits of the Institution, and the
principles upon which it was founded, but stated
that there were defects in the deeds of settlement,
and improprieties in the system of management,
which required remedy. The Committee bestow-
ed the highest praises upon the frankness, the
honour, the zeal, and activity of Mr. Bignold,
jun. and his brother, the Solicitor to the Institu-
tion.. They expressed at the same time some
disapprobation of the conduct of Mr. Bignold,
senior, and gave it as their opinion, that it would
be for the interest of the Norwich Union Fire
nd Life Insurance if he retired from the situa-
tion of Secretary.
The Report, which was in the highest degree
satisfactory, with respect both to the fire and life
insurance departments, was received with great
applause. It immediately removed all those
anxious doubts whicii seemed for some time to
press upon the minds of those who were not ac-
quainted with the affairs of the concern. There
was an Appendix to the Report, consisting of
about 150 letters from various local Committees.
Ihe reading of the was not pressed, as the wor•
thy Chairman pledged himself that they were all
favourable, and that the whole should be imme-
diately printed for ti,e use of insurers. All the
letters, he said, were unanitroms in expressing
their approbation of the principles and manage=
ment of the Direcors, who gave dissatisfaction
to none of the local Committees. The Report

being read,
Alderman PATTEsoN, of Norwich, moved, the
the Report be received, adopted, and printed,
with the Appendix, for the use of Subscribers,.
Mr. Alderman THORP rose to second the mo-
tion. In doing this, he could assure the Meeting
that he felt the greatest satisfaction in bearing
testimony to the industry, the zeal, and the great
pains which must have been employed in pro-
ducing so minute and so voluminous a Report.—
He was happy to have this opportunity of testi-
fying his feelings upon the occasion, because 'it
was said that the Committee appointed at the
George and Vulture, to which he belonged, Was
hostile to the present. It was a pleasure to him
now to perceive, that they both had but one ob-
ject, namely, to see if any evils really existed ;
and if so, to devise some remedy for their removal.
The Report was, in particular, highly gratifying
with respect to the funds of the Institution, anti
every Gentletnau present must return home fully
satisfied that there was sufficient to meet every
demand that could arise. The part lie had taken
in this business trout the commencement should
Lot be considered as arising from a connexion
with any other Insurance Office. He denied
mast distinctly any co-operation, any connexion
or even conversation with another office upon
the subject. What be had done arose merely
from this circumstance, that lie had heard some
slur was thrown on the Norwich Insurance, by
claims remaining unsettled. Upon further inquiry
it appeared to him, as well as others, that there
were sixteen or seventeen cases which required in-
vestigation. This was all he or the persons with
whom he acted had recommended. Inquiry could
do no itijury to any office. In disclaiming a con-
nexion with other Insurance establishments, he
hoped they ironic! judge him front what had been
done. He, merely expressed his opinion that there
Was ground for investigation ; that there were
some cases unsettled, and in a state of litigation.
In these assertions he was borne out by the pre-
sent Report. The cases, however, were so
promptly and honourably attended to, they were
so liberally and speedily adjusted, as to nterit the
highest thanks of every liberal mind.—(Applause.)
In the Report of the Committee, where he had
the honour to preside, it was merely said that er-
rors existed'in the administration of the concern.
It was not asserted that they were insolvent. He
was glad that they made out sonic motives for in-
quiry, and that such inquiry took place, because
it must prove beneficial to the institution. It
would not be necessary any longer to uphold it by
quackery, and by holding out promises which
could,not be realized. The real state of the con-
cern, as it appeared upon- the Report, rendered
such proceedings superfluous. There was no oc-
casion to hold out expectations of 501. per cent.
profit, which never was realized. The Report
itself admitted, that the profit was not more than
301. per cent. ; a considerable one, it was true,
and such as must give the fullest satisfaction to
every pet son concerned. The object of the Gen-
tlemen with whom he acted was only the interest
of the ; and certain he was, that there
I.vir, not a single man among them who would not
lae ..lad to find that it was in so flourishing a si-

ittatiom 11e troul►l not lay the Meeting 'fancy,
but conclude by seconding the Resolution.
Mr. BARR! rose to propose an amendment. He
WEIS AS fully convinced as any person present of
the importance cr. tie Report, and of the great
labour and industry which were necessary to pro-
duce such a document. There was not, perhaps,.
in all the annals of Insurance, Reports so volumi-
nous, and so minute a one as this. Those who
drew it up deserved the highest credit. At the
same time that he admitted this, he must com-
plain of the manner in which one individual had
been treated. In every other part of it he fully
agreed, except the sweeping clause at the end
which callrd upon Mr Bignold, sen. to resign.
Theme was no ground stated by the Con►naitte tor
this. He was condemned withour•a hearing. Ile
was never confronted with the accusers before his

judges.
t Here, at the desire of one of the Insurers, that
part of the Report was read again, in which it was
stated, that Mr. Bignold, sen. refused to transfer
certain securities unless the Directors should think
it for the interest of the concern.]
Mr. BA it rot proceeded. The Report did not
say that Mr. Bignold had been heard before the
Committee. If such was the case, he (Mr. B.)
would be silent. It was the highest and proudest
privilege conferred upon an Englishman by the
law, that no individual should be condemned Un-
heard. The witnesses in his favour, as well as
they who accused, most he first examined. The
Committee did not venture to assert, that they
had examined even one.—(Some disapprobation.)
Clamour could not gainsay reason and argument ;
however, as they did not seem inclined to hear
him, he would not waste the time of so respect-
able a Meeting. It should be rematked, how-
ever, that the Society, so beneficial to the Public,
Was founded, and for many years conducted,
by Mr. Bignold. Their own Report was the
highest encomium that could be passed upon
him, for it. sheaved the flourishing state to which
he brought the Institution. This observation
would, he hoped, have its doe weight with liberal
minds. Mr. Bignold was willing to be examined
by the Committee, and to produce witnesses as to
Iris conduct while Secretary. What objection
could there he to this ? It was no trifling matter
to rob a tnan, not only of his bread, bust of his re-
putation. It was but a cold consolation to have
his sons praised by the same persons who pro-
nounced condemnation upon the father ; to kave
his character wounded. by the same breath that
lavisiedcommendationS upon them. The amend-
ment therefore lie should propose was this, that
that part of the Report which respected Mr. Big-
nold, senior, should be left out, and referred to the
Committee, for the put pose of giving him an op-
portunity of being heard before his accusers. The
amendment being seconded,
Mr. BROOKE, one of the London Committee,
said, that he, as a Member of that Committee,
agreed to the recommendation contained in the
Report, that Mr. Bignold should resign. Nothing,
however, should prevail upon him to detail the cir-
cumstances •which 'minced them to come to that
decision. They had no charge to make against
the zeal or the honesty of Mr. Bignold, but it
was to he lameuted that his zeal was not always
guided by prudence. The circumstance of the
'Committee being obliged, in sO many instances,
to act-in a manner contrary to that adopted by Mr.
Bignold was. sufficient grOuni, if there was no
other, to Wish for his retiring. Before the Meet-
ing took place he was requested to resign.—
Had lie done so it would have saved trouble,
and given them an opportunity of saying, Nil
de ntorluis nisi bonum. The other Members of Mr.
Bignold's family were benefici-'l and efficient Mem-
bers of the Institution, but as to himself it was high
time, as Well froin age as from other circumstances,
that be should withdraw front the labours of his
place. He would not mention the other circion-
stancea. He hoped, however, that the Meeting
I would give the Committee credit for their exer-
tions. There was no fault to be found, with his
hiniesty'or zeal. He was the founder and organiser
of the Institution, the person who proposed the
plan upon which it was conducted. They merely
accused him of mismanageMent, no more.
sen. said, that it must be highly
painful to him to have such a report as this go forth
to the w'orld,requiring his retirement, as if he had
acted dishonestly, or been guilty of some criminal
action. He merely requested that the Meeting
would not prOnounce this sentence of condetnna-
iion upon him, unless some specific charge was
made out to ground it upon. If his conduct was
fairly investigated, he trusted it would nut he found
deierving of public disapprobation. %Viten the meet-
ing was convened, at the George and Vidture, the
claims which occasioned it'were under investigation
by bim4elf and three more, and some of them
were. actually paid off at Norwich, and their a 6,
knowledgments received. They who now ac-
cused him, he naturally expected would be his
friends. They were called in to ascertain whe•
Cher he was justifiable in what he had done, and
in that respect he did not think he could be cen-
sored. His business was to inquire into the cir-
cumstances-of the case when any claim was made.
In this respect he was always diligent, and they
who called the Meeting at the George and Vul-
ture *ere 'Very probably such as would blame
him for his diligence. Two years ago, when he
orst came to London, there were few insurers in
the Norwich. The Directors wished'him to come
there, as he had 30 years experience in such busi-
ness, and he was desirous to appoint a local Com-
mittee for the settlement of claims, but waited
until the names upon the books were more nu-
merous. For this reason the business was in
sotne measure left to himself. He acted front the
hest of his judgment, and if any thing criminal
Could be proved against him, be would be then
Willing to resign', and to stand on tke Report
stigmatized to the world. After the vast number
of fires which occurred, being upwards 6,1'700
since his arrival in London, it was not surprising
that some persons complained, particularly. when
the whole kingdom was ransacked for complaints
by the George and Vulture Gentlemen. It
would be ingratitude ; it would be returning
evil for good, to condemn him now unheard,
after all his services. His name was lately hand-
ed about 'the kingdom, and when these reports,
tinfavourable to hint, were traced, it turned out
that they originated with the ageuta of other

nfrices, to whom nOtbing would bt more phasing
than to deprive the [lntake of his services. He '
had, at present, if allowed to continue his exer-
tions„ a plait in contemplation that would render
the metropolis mulch more secure from fire. There
was no reason for thrusting him out of his post,
but because he was too zealous in his duty. There
was no crime in making strict inquiry wh'ende-
minds were made upon the Office. It was fof-the
advantage of the Society that he exerted himself,
hut he used no undue or unfair diligence. Out of
all the cases complained of, there were only six
or seven before him, and they were referred to the
Directors. if s want of ability or diligence was
proved, then would be the time to call upon him
to retire, but no accusation of any kind was
proved. All he required was, that they would
not condemn too hastily, but wait until better
evidence was produced.
After a few words from Mr. ALDIs and Mr.
Flutmz, the amendment was negatived, and the
original motion carried unatihnowly.
Mr. Alderman Parrosost, of Norwich, then
read four Resolutions, which will be found in our
fist page.
The Resolutions being put from the Chair,

Mr. Bcooxe said, there were, some improprie-
ties in the management of. the concern, and also
some clauses in the deeds of settlement which re+
quire(' correction. This could not he effected
without a General Meeting. He should therefore
propose, as an amendment to the third Resolu-
tion, that measures be taken for securing such a
Meeting within a month of the present time,
with power to dismiss officers, &c. etc.
Mr. KEMBLE said, that no Member of the Com-
mittee had paid more attention to the deeds of
settlement than his lion. Friend (Mr. B.) ; but as
the difference between his amyndment and the ori-
ginal motion was so trifling, it could not be im-
portant whether it was carried or not. The
amendment appeared to him to go too tar,
namely, to the establishment of a Supreme Court
of Direction. This was not called for at present,
nor did it imply a sufficient degree of comtesy to
the Directors. They, he had no doubt, would be
willing to co-operate in it ; but it should not be
done with Out consulting them. If the original
motiou was adopted, he should move that Mr, Al-
derman Thorp be added to the Committee. A
paper was handed, about the room, intimating that
the two Committees should be united. To this,
he (Mr. K.) could not agree. From the great
contradiction existing between these reports, no
cordiality could he expected in their car-opertviou.
He hoped that Mr. Alderman Thorp would have
had the candour to acknowledge that the Com-
mittee/in which he presided,, were deceived by the
reports they.receivel from the country, At the
last meeting at the George and Vulture, be (Mr.
K.) requested some further . delay before the re-
port was received, but the proposal. was not agreed
to. Pe thought, upon that occasion, that he ob-
served a power behind the Chair greater than the
Chair itself, and that the Worthy Alderman
seemed to look up too much to this authority.
Finding that he was misled, he regretted that the
NVorthy Alderman did not make some allusion to
the sources from which his-mistake arose. Mr.
Kemble then alluded to the manner in which the
George and Vulture Commit tee was constituted,
and concluded, a speech of much point and hu-
mour, by expressing a wish that Mr. Brooke
should not press his amendment.
Mr. Akerman TH,,RP deprecated all petty dis=
pines and allusions to former proceedings.
The Worthy Alderman being then appointed to
the Committee, the Resolutions were agreed to;
and thanks being voted to the London Commit-
tee, its Secretary and Chairman, as also to the
Chairman of the Meeting, and the Norwich Di-
rectors, the assembly broke tip.—The Resolutions
Were ordered to he printed.

OLD BAILEY.

AN INTERES'T'ING CASE.

Yesterday Thomas Judd, aged 27, was put to
the Bar, charged with stealing three 11. notes, the
property of Charles Bioadgate. The particulars
were fully detailed in the Police Reports at the
time, and the facts are shortly these, though the
case was very amusing :—The prosecutor and pri-
soner happened to meet in the Bull's Head pub-
lic-house, in the lower end of Westniinster, near
some of the obscure streets in the vicinity of the
Abbey. Meeting there, though formerly strangers
to each other, some dispute arose respecting some
points ot military service, the one contending he
was a gallant servant of the public, while the
other maintained be had seen more valour in one
year than the other had in the whole course of
his life. The prosecutor was not quite sober at
the time, but he was perfectly aware of what be
was doing. In stooping down to lift up a pipe
he had dropt, the three 11. notes dropt out ot his
pocket, and they were in a moment or two after
seized by the prisoner, who immediately left the
room. The notes were seen in his hands by a
person sitting in the, box, but who unfortunately
did not detain him, not knowing he had stolen
them. The prisoner had not lclt the house one
minute, till the prosecutor cried out, '' Oh, my
God, lam robbed." Suspicion fell on the pri-
soner, his lodgings were traced out, but he was
not found for some days. There was no doubt
but the prisoner had stolen them, and though
was fortunately apprehended, yet none of the
notes were found on hitn. He for some days
could not be found, and denied all knowl.edge•of
the robbery when lie was apprehended.
The RECORDER-Prisoner, you have heard all
this evidence; what have you got to say for
yourself ?
Prisoner-1 am totally innocent, my Lord,
and k,can call witnesses to prove that I am so.
Recorder—Aye, it may be so—call tht•tn.
The first witness was called, who stated he ha►l
been in a public-house several times with the pri-
soner, but he knew nothing of the transaction.—
He was in the room at the time, but did not
see it.
Recorder—Well, my friend, it is a very odi
thing to call you here as a witness to a thing
von know nothing about. Go about your busi-

ness. -
Another person was ehlleci, and stated he had
known the prisoner for 10 or 12 years, and his
character was always good.
itecorder—Exactly so, as 1 liope yours and

Mine are. Well, you of Course must Ettlow
110 w long have you known him 3 .

Witness—For 10 or 12 years. R
• At*
ecnrder—T o
ur
hen of cose you cvere ;n°
with him. I know it is a common word 0°1;
the lower 'classes 'of society (at. least, the fin:c
of thieves) to say they have got into troubij,
when, in fact, they have been taken into cust°(
this
Now, my good friend, did you ever hear of
fellow being in the same situation ?,
NVitness—Not to my knowledge, , •u
n;
is no answer to my questl:4;
I ask you, Sir, did you ever hear of this fen°-
being in trouble ?.
Witness-. 4 never knew It.
Itecorder—That answer won't do for me. .
ask .you, Sir., and I must but be trifled with, 'lll
you ever know this man in custody for a critniao,

charge.
Witness—lSTot that T kilo*.
Recorder-4)o you say so upon your oalb
Witness—Yes ; I do any Lord. sot
It..:corder—Well, go along ; but stop, I'l
;
to ask you, how long is it since you baye .46,)
seen trim ?
Witness-=Whys not for the last two years,
114
I live about two miles from Jiis house. - .„t;
llecorder-,-Aye, now we come i‘o the 110%-,
This is a fine fellow eto steak t 4) ehter, who has not known the prisoner for $11,5 l'st
two or three years.
aro

The Jury found him Guilty. or
,
RECORDER—Gentlemen, von have (lone ;
.• ••
duty. •'
kris fellow- was here' before, and,
lieve, you will find the same from the Pecl`lo
belonging to the Court. Pray, Mr. (lardy,
can tell me how long it is since this fellow wasii
trrisoo before, and how lone; it is since he ''''ll)t
tried before ? h
Mr. Elardy—My Lord, he was in prison B'l,,
twelve months ago, on a charge of highway
bevy.
The Recorder—l thought so. pa lee
Gillmore (an Officer of Queen-square 1",1ji)
Office) happened to be in Court, and said,'"')
1'
my Lord, I know him well ; he is the worst 44
racier in Westminster. 001,
Recorder—l thought sn 3 stand tip, Gin",:;
ef
you can speak to facts. Well, what do yoti P'*°
of him 1 diisl
Gillmore—i-Why, my Lord, all I can say 's
)
that the prisoner is a most notorious ch" 1.6.,(;
and I can assure your‘Lordship that there is: 00
greater miscreant in Westminster. My id°cus
has been long known to its all.
Recorder—Well, Mr. Gillmore, you he Vies ;ilie
very right to do as you have done, and this 10,4
confirms to the Jury what I said before. The les'
looks well, so be may at the expence of ofbe-ra'o4
Gillmore, the public are much obliged t° *
You have, I suppose, known hint long ? $C
Mr. Gilmore—Why, my Lord, we Z 131", jlif
the Queen's-square Office, known him 100;,'ctec'
my Lord, he is a most ' ahlmninable char net
)very person in that district knows the pris°.dti
ReCorder—Gentlemen, you' see 1 vv"s 01'(
Mr. Gilmore, the officer, .know& him. x° till
rest assured that, as honest men,you havier 047'
your duty. Take him from the bar, and
rest assured we shall not forget his condit'P4
.
we conic to give him his roper- punislitue°l:/s°l
shall not trouble, I assure you, this CO"i"oel°
more. I know all these fellows when thiy cf. 0411
this bar. The ptisoner is a fine lookiag l'end
but fine looking will trot be a strong rail
any mercy to a prisoner; the Court 51
care of the prisoner for life.
3.
EMBEZZLEMENT. 165'
Inn. Swath was inch( ted for emnezzling
the property of his employer, Mr. Foot; brc°ll'
The prosecutor stared, "that he wasrt 0-,d
and had 'employed the prisoner as'a ea vi
confidential servant. The sum chargelior DO!
m
inilictent was the amount of a bill due ice(' i!'4,
by a Mr. Sidney. • The prisoner had receot Va
and' afterwards said that Mr. Sidney bad n
op
the bill. r nee,
The prisoner said nothing in his doe I
.414
the Jury found a verdict—Guilty.
It appeared, after the verdict V/35 pr°lllsll:ififfc,
that there were no less than 47 eharghe,s, raele,ll
the prisoner of a similar nature to tri`bl„siocii;
The prosecutor only carried on a snw.i'itii4
and had very seriously suffered by encl.
irisoner. •

CRUELTY joir'lligi.slll.7l '
Hughes, a d "'ler 114
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blood it with a large stick on the beo dm. tilli d
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Roger Swetenharn, Esq. (>1 Soinerford-I)ot,h'A !LI Plf fil•
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On the 25th inst. .ai Kennington, in VT of V4illoc:Ols
Nash, relict of the late William Nh> I:,s:l;3otspail
On Saturday last, at Hoildesdon, Ups.:'of ilie
liet of Gilbert Douglas Hillock, Es+ 131 e ,
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