GATHERING OF INSURANCE MEN.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 50, 22 November 1907, Page 5

GATHERING OF INSURANCE MEN.

PRESENTATION TO MR. FRANK ALLEN

Representatives of tho local insurance world assembled in tho Chamber of Commerce yesterday afternoon to do honour to Mr. Frank Allon, who is retiring from the position of general manager of the Commercial Union Assurance Company. There wore present:— The chairman,' Mr. William Gill (Alliance), Mosars. L. Roso Jag K ar (Atlas), A.' E. Kernot. (Australian Alliance), C. A.. Ewcn (Commercial Union), J. U. Turnbull (Guardian), A. E. Pearco, Charles Pearce, John Duncan (Liverpool, London, and Globe), W. G. Johnston and G..T, Mason (London and Lancashire), J. .Mallard (National); A'. H. Miles (North British), F, Hume (Northern), D. A: Aborcrombie. (.Queensland), W. E. A. Gill (Norwich Union), H. G. Smith (Phcenix), H: Beauchanip and S. Dix (Royal), E. E. Hammond (South British), William Evans (Standard), W..E. Betlmno and A. H.. Hollis (Sun); J. S. Jameson (United), A. Blair (Victoria), R.-Pownall (Yorkshire); R. M. Simpson (Phrenix), R. W. Brown (Farmers' Cooperative), C. M. Montefiore (Ocean Accidoni.), J. H. Richardson andW.'B. Hudson

Accident), H. W. L. Hawk, nV • : S n H ?T- e, n and , J - °- Hanna (Commercial £ LfVi C, ?- Benbo «-. J- Kirkcaldie, G. M. Kebboll, and J. B.Harcqu.rt (the last three directors of the Commercial Union), D J Bows (Now Zealand Accident), F: L. Ashbolt (Australian Alliance), A. W; Young (Royal); 11. M. Lyon (secretary"of the Underwriters' Association), and the guest.' Apologies were received from Messrs'. H: P. Kissing (Now Zealand) A. S. Biss, A. F. Rattray (Northnn)', C.W;.Tanner (Norwich Union), 0. R. Bendall (Royal Exchange), M. W. Hipginson O'hames and Mersey) Captain Bendall, J. Kirker .(South. British), -and W. H. Ware (Wellington Fire Underwriters) Mr. William Gill (chairman of the Fire Underwriters' Association) said that the Association . had been the prime movers in inaugurating the function, but the occasion Has ono that interested fire, marine, and accident_ underwriters. '. The object of the gathering, was to do honour to Mr.- Frank Alien into goneral manager in Now Zealand tor the Commercial Union Assurance Company, and a member of the council of the underwriters Association, who was severing his connection with them owing to his retiromont from tho position he hold with the Company and his connection' with the Association; Mr.Allen had for. .33 years been closely connected with: insurance work in New Zealand during which time he' had conducted a large and profitable business. He was now retiring from the service of the Commercial Union on account of tho ago limit imposed by the Company; not: that they ■ considered him in any way "used up"—none thought that— but, .in conformity. with the regulations,'he was gracefully retiring in favour of a younger man. During his lengthy period of'service Mr. Allen had found time to do his sharo of Association work by acting on committees, and, years ago, as chairman of the Fire and Marino Underwriters' Association, and up to a few hours ago as' chairman of the Accident Underwriters' Association. It was fitting, therefore, to express tho deep rogard that was felt for the distinguished services rendered by Mr. Allen, and to place on record their rogret at tho prospect of. severance with him:. His manner was quiet'arid mpdest, to whiuli, was allied a-courteous and gentlemanly bearing that was tho admiration of all, and lie would, likei to • say that Mr. Allen wad tho most straightforward and upright man he had ever met. (Applause.) There was something in tho Old Book cautioning them to beware of the man of jvhom all men spoke well, but he', (tho Chairman) thought .it was • hotter .' to ' speak ■well than ill of a man, and there was no option in Mr. Allen's, case. During their long connection •ho had, never heard a disparaging remark or.unkind word, used about Mr.-.'Allen. He worked like, a Trojan, giving all | attention to detail, and ' was . novbr tar' from the.main point.. Ho was.methodical, to a degree,; and believed that a thing.worth doing' was worth dojng well. Ho reminded him of the Bishop, of London, who,, when asked the secret of his success, said that it lay m sympathy, sincerity, and hard worK, which, remark- was very applicable, to Air A on. Ho expressed the hope' that Air: Allen would long be spared to orijov tho consolation of a well-spent life, to which he would- fjlways have the remembranco' of the many, good wishes of his friends. ' .1 ho-Chairman- concluded his. remarks by handing Mr.. Alien a heavy double gold -sove-reign-case,'-together with a. substantial che.que. Tho case bore the following inscription—" presented to Frank Allen, Esq., J.Pgeneral managor for Wow Zealand of the Commercial Union Assurance Company, Limited, of London, on his retirement tronV the Company, hy the Fire, Marine, and Aeci•dent Underwriters of Wellington, New Zealand, .^ovember,2l,- 1907.". On the reverse ; side of the sovereign-case a facsimile of' Mr. Allen s signature was engraved. ' ' ! -Before- Air. Allen's health was drunk, ■Mγ. D..A.. Ahercrombie,. of the Marine Underwriters. Council of New. Zealand, and Mr. / ii Montefioro, a member of the executiv'o, of the Accident •'■Underwriter's , ' Association also testified to Mr. Allen's worth. • After his health had been enthusiastically drunk, Mr. Al en ; .said. he had nevon been present at such a gathering of insurance men netore, and'he was quite at a'loss what to-say. He felt very gratified a'ti.the remarks made, by Mr. Gill, and the other gentJemen, but it had left him nothing V o say but to thank them heartilv for the Jiind expressions of their esteem which'had been extended to him on-the occasion. He also added his .thanks for the :tangiblc tokens ->f esteem they had bestowed onhihi Mr, Allen then proposed the health of Mr. J. C. Hanna, Inspector-for the .Commercial Union Assurance Company, and Mr C > Jiwen, his (Mr. Allen's) successor, to. which those gentlemen made suitable replies' Ihe gathering concluded with the toasting of the Chairman's health,: proposed bv Mr. Allen. , ' : *

The function was the biggest and mo s t enthusiastic ever held, m connection with insurance in Wellington, and a fine spirit of cameradie pervaded the'affair from first to