The Evening Star THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1873

Evening Star, Issue 3349, 13 November 1873, Page 2

The Evening Star THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1873

The importance of Lite Assurance was brought prominently before the public on Tuesday evening in a lecture by Mr M‘Donogh, who ably explained the subject at the Masonic Hall, He also pointed out the necessity for full and absolute security that the sura assured with the intention of making provision for relatives, old age, or sickness should be available when due, so that all anxiety and uncertainty on that head may be avoided. It is undoubtedly true that many private companies have done immense service to families in affording the means of provision against poverty on the death of a relative; but, unfortunately, many have proved but broken reeds when the hour arrived for needing their support. The startling fact mentioned by Mr M'Honogh of 328 Life Assurance Companies having failed out of 370 founded in the spat of twenty-five years, is quite sufficien to lead those contemplating insir ance for the sake of their farailieto seek the best security obtainable, Life Assurance differs materially from Fire or Marine Insurance*, The latter class take risks terminable at short periods, with the strong probability that they will never be called upon to pay the amount insured. Hut Life Assurance offices, in one class of their business, and most commonly in all, are certain to be called upon for the principal (sooner or later. In Fire

and Marine Insurance Companies, even should that one fail in which the risk is secured, it may be counted as nearly a moral certainty that ninety-nine out of a hundred can make themselves equally safe the next day by insuring in another office, and thus the most that can be lost is a few mouths’ premium. But in Life Assurance, the savings of a long life of toil and care may be sacrificed. Wives and children brought up with certain tastes and expectations suited to the station in which they were born, and to sustain which provision has been made, are plunged into poverty from which is impossible to escape. In the majority of cases where failures have occurred, the insurers if living are too far advanced in life to renew their assurance, and in every case they cannot do so on equally favorable terms; so that loss is positive and irremediable. A Life Assurance Company must be regarded as a savings bank, and the success or failure of it, where a private undertaking, depends much upon its management. When it is considered that many mutual companies commence with no capital, and that with a proper table of premiums and a fair amount of business at starting, capital is found not to be necessary if due care is taken to secure proper investments, this will be clearly apprehended. But that word “ management” points to the difficulty insurers have to overcome. It is the risk they have to run. The premiums through the “ management” may be too low : the manager may be incompetent, or dishonest, or tho business may be insufficient to cover expenses. No care nor inquiry can give full satisfaction on these points, for many of them can only be proved by results; and when these manifest themselves, it is too late to remedy the evil. Many years must pass before even this test becomes available. Twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, or more years may elapse ; managers leave, managers die, and managers change or become old, careless, or incompetent in the service; policies may be paid regularly for those periods, and no suspicion of insolvency be excited until the crash comes, and it is found the building had had its foundation on the sand. Precisely the same may be said of Benefit Societies, as is illustrated by the startling statement in an English paper, that one of the most numerous, best supported, and widely diffused throughout the world, is proved to be about a million of money in debt. With these unavoidable contingencies in view, the duty of everyone insuring his life is to see to it that his savings are invested on a security that must be considered undoubted ; and wc know of none so absolutely safe as that of the Government. Wc have heard of many who deprecate the idea of Government “ interfering,” as they term it, with private enterprise. For our own parts, we cannot consider this to be legitimately claimed as “ private enterprise although Eire, Marine, and other risks involving short periods of time only, and not affecting society so immediately and deeply may be fairly placed in that class of investments of capital. Wc believe the benefits of the principle of Life Assurance under Government control capable of very much wider extension than has ever yet been given to them. We believe that had its blessings been thoroughly comprehended, England would have had a population every individual of which would have been placed beyond the fear of want in old age ; we believe that the sums annually contributed in charity, by the addition of a very small sum paid by every member of the community, would have been amply sufficient before this time to have provided a fund sufficient to guard against an old age of poverty, a childhood of orphanage, or a maturity of sickness for all classes without the necessity for workhouses or benevolent institutions ; and when in a few years social science has shown that a country should be regarded as a vast co-opera-tive society having common interests in the common welfare, one of the chief duties of Government will be considered to be an extension of the functions of the principle of Life Assurance, to guarding the people against the effects of those contingencies that can he fairly included under it. Mr Daniel M‘Callurn has been appointed Pienuaster at Port Chalmers, his appointment dating from tho 15th instant. A four act drama of the sensational school, entitled “The Great World of London, or Life in the Nineteenth Century,” from the pen of a resident here, is to be produced at tho Princess’s on Saturday. “ Kob Roy,” with Mr Burford in the title role and Mr O’Brien as the Bailie, was played at the Princess’s last evening, and with the burlesque of “111-treated Trovatore,” will constitute to-night’s programme. His Honor Mr Justice Chapman was a passenger by the Lady Bird to-day to Weiiin<'torTto attend the Appeal Court. The Hon. Mr Bathgate was also a passenger. The Hon. Mr Reynolds will come (South in a few days. Mr Jewitt has received a number of English birds, ex Lady Jocelyn, which have been landed in good condition, considering the length of tho voyage. The consignment, consists of three blackbirds, three thrushes, one starling, and four larks. The jury in White v. M‘Kellar indignantly refused to accept the paltry sum of a guinea each, which the law allowed them for their twelve days’ services, and requested Ins Honor to allow the amount to be banded over to the Benevolent Institution, which was done. The following notifications appear in the New Zealand Gazette of the Gth inst. Mr Duncan M’Gregor, Dunedin, has been appointed a Justice of the Peace for tho Colony. Mr Thomas bill’s resignation of his office as a Trustee of the Dunedin Savings Bank has been accepted by the Governor, Letters of naturalisation have been issued in favor of Louis Grim aid, laborer, Dunedin,

We heard it stated in two or three places to-day that Mrs Schmidt, who was burned by the late George street fire, and was removed to the Hospital, had died in that institution, but on making inquiries from Dr H ulnae we learn that there is not the slightest foundation for the rumor, and that the patient is progressing favorably, and entirely out of danger. There have been exported from the Colony between April 1. 1857, and the 30th September last, 7.116,855 ozs. of gold, which are valued at 1-27,629, >36 Of this 3,166,886 ozs,, of the value of L 1.2,398,980, was the produce of the Otago goldfields ; Auckland yielded 833,493 < z*. ; Wellington, 39 ozs.; Marlborough, 41,772 ozs ; Nelson, 1,284,185 ozs.; and Westland, 1,789,809 ozs. .During the September quarter, Auckland exported 34 271 ozs ; Marlborough, 108 ozs.; Nelson, 24,547 ozs. ; Wcstlan'd, 26,075 ozs., and Otago, 23,545 ozs. A serious accident occurred at the Mussel Bay reclamation works, about half-past four yesterday afternoon, to Mr James Stumbles, one of the contractors. He was superintending the work of a fall of earth, when it suddenly came down and half buried him. On being extricated, it was found that his ankle was dislocated to such an extent that the hone protruded through his sock. He was immediately attended by Dr Drysdale, and afterwards carried to the railway station, ami taken to the Hospital by the six o’clock train, Drs Drysdale and O’Donoglnm accompanying him. At the Hospital it was found necessary to amputate the limb, the operation being successfully performed last evening.

Some unfortunate mother having lately determined to abandon her child, lett it on the steps of the Eev. Dr Cairns’s residence, East Melbourne. It was wrapped in a new flannel binder, a calico shirt unfinished, a flannel petticoat also unfinished, with a piece of flannel round the head, and coveted with a check shawl ; and attached to the shawl by a pin was a piece of paper, on which was written:—“dear Mrs Cairns do tak patty on my child ; wonce lived with you and i no you are kind i will send you some money for it son may God bliss you and your.” Mrs Cairns took the child in and had it cared for, until a lady, without family, made application to the City Bench to adopt it. Her request was granted. A deputation from residents at Forbnry and St Kilda waited upon the City Council this afternoon relative to the removal of the manure depot and night soil pits in the locality. After the object had been explained, the Mayor said that the subject had been before the Council on several occasions, and but for the illness of Councillor Barnes he had no doubt but that some plan for removal of the nuisance would have been already devised. They were quite aware that the keeper of the depot had not carried out the terms of his agreement; and pending some definite arrangement being made for removal of the manure, stops would be taken to enforce a strict observance of the instructions given to the keeper. By that means they hoped to be able at once to abate the nuisance complained of. During the discussion which arose on the Friends’ Marriage Bill in the 'lasmauian Legislative Council, some curious facts relating to the marriage ceremony as solemnised by the Friends were disclosed by the Colonial Secretary—facte which go far to uphold the reputation the Society bears lor punctiliousness and probity. It transpired that when a couple are about to join in wedlock a committee is formed for the special purpose of inquiring into all particulars connected with the parties concerned, and if the result proves favorable they are supplied with a certificate to that effect. The certificate answers the purposes of a personal affirmation in the eyes of the registrar or person solemnising the marriage, and at once relieves the happy couple of a tedious amount of ceremonious detail, A Bill has been introduced in the Victorian Legislature to enable friendly societies to trade upon the principle of co-operation. The grist of the measure (says the Argils) is as follows :—“Any number of persons, not being less than seven, may establish a society under this Act lor the purpose of canying on any labor, trade, or handicraft, whether wholesale or retail, except the business of banking, and of applying the profits to any other purpose allowed by any laws now or hereafter in force relating to friendly societies or otherwise permitted by law. The buj ing and sale of land shall be deemed to be a trade within the moaning of this Act.” There appears to be a very strong opinion in favor of the Bill, as it will provide a profitable channel for the employment of the accumulated funds of benefit societies. The following meteorological observations were recorded at Dunedin during last month; —Mean atmospheric pressure, 29'576in. ; highest pressure (on the 10th), 29 961 ; lowest pressure (on the 29bh), 29'067 ; extreme range, 0 894. Mean maximum temperature, 61 7 Fah. ; mean minimum temperature, 44 - 3 ; approximate mean temperature, 53 0 ; mean daily range of temperature, 17'4; extreme maximum temperature (on the 27th), 75'0 ; extreme minimum temperature (on the 3rd), 33’0; extreme range of temperature, 42 0. The total rain fall during the month was 2'43 inches, Bain fell on twelve days. The maximum rain in any twenty-four hours (on the 12th), was 20'730m. The average daily velocity of the wind was 156 miles. The greatest velocity for twenty-four hours was 475 miles, which occurred on the 30 hj. There was thunder on the 19th and 20th, snow on the 3rd, hail on the 2nd, and fog on the Gth.

Yecnd’s Clntha coach met with rather an alarming accident yesterday afternoon on its return trip to town. In approaching the hill a short distance on this side of the Volunteer Hotel, Green Island, one of the fore wheels became detached, causing tlie king-bolt to snapjiu two. James Miller, the driver, was thrown from his seat and dragged by the axle of the wheel for about twenty yards, when the coach upset. Strange to say, none of the passengers—fourteen in number—sustained any material injury. On being taken up, the dtiver was found badly, if not dangerously bruised. L>r Sorley was promptly in attendance, and had the sufferer removed to the Dunedin Hospital. Upon examination the bones of Miller’s nose were found to be dislocated and fractured, the splinters requiring to be removed. The flesh on the left side of the forehead and cheek was lacerated and torn from the bones, the disaster being aggravated by the temporal and frontal bones being denuded of their periasterim. His condition is rather a critical one, but if inflammation by extension from the injuries of the nose to the base of the brain do not set in, he may ultimately recover. A protracted cure, however, can only bo looked for. On becoming detached the horses bolted, dragging the pole and axle behind them to the top of Look-out Hill, where their further progress was arrested, A meeting of the committee of the Eoyal Horticultural bociety was held in Matthews’s store, Moray Place, on Wednesday evening; Mr B. Sievwright, vice-president, in the chair, A fair number of the committee were present. The principal business transacted was the election of judges for the ensuing show, and the various sub-committees for the arrangement of exhibits, also lor securing the requisite musical talent for the evening &e. A commute, consisting of the president, treasurer, and secretary, were also appointed for the purpose of communicating with Sir James Fergusson’s secretary as to

obtaining hia Excellency’s patronage for the -'ociety, and to arrange for the December flower show to be opened in person by the Governor. From the reports of the secretary and treasurer, the society, it appears, is progressing satisfactorily, but this state of affairs is only owing to a few who are working earnestly in promoting the welfare and success of the Society ; and a large number of those who are or ought to bo more-, interested in toe progress of the -Society have been, it is to be regretted, very apathetic in their efforts. However, there is no reason to doubt that should the weather he favorable the show will prove an unqualified success, and if the Governor be pres nt at the opening a still greater success may be anticipated. The date of the show if altered from the 11th December will be duly advertised. The following is a list of vessels, number and nationality of emigrants despatched by the Agent-General for New Zealand, from the 18th of November, 1872, to the 30th of August, 1873 Himalaya, for Canterbury, 954 adults ; Durham, for Auckland, 554 adults ; Euterpe, for Otago, 784 adult* ; Lutterworth, for Otago, 99 adults ; Parsee, for Auckland, 69A adults ; Edwin Fox, for Canterbury and Otago, 162 adults; Wild Duck, for Wellington, 854 adults ; Woodlark, for Auckland, 1004 adults; Michael Angelo, for Otago and Canterbury, 1364 adults; Jubilee, for Wellington, 43 adults ; Cospatrick, for Otago, 274 adults; James Nicol I'.emiug, for Otago, 2064 adults J Halcione. for Wellington, 2644 adults ; Schieballion, for Wellington, 8 adults ; Mary Shepherd, for Canterbury, 2904 adults ; Columbus, for Canterbury, 1304 adults; Berar, for Auckland, 2474 adults ; Allahabad, for Otago, 229 adults ; Funjaub, for Canterbury, 264 adults; Peter Denny, for Otago, 254 adults ; Douglas, for Wellington, 312 adults ; St. Leonards, for Auckland, 1594 adults; Celestial Queen, for Canterbury, 1294 adults; Dover Castle, for Otago, 1324 adults; Edward P. Bouverie, for Wellington, 1514 adults; Otago, for Otago, 1194 adults ; Adamant, for Canterbury, 1294 adults; Hydasqes, for uckland, 1894 adults ; Lady Jocelyn, for Otago. 160.4 adults ; Merope, for Canteibury, 143 adults ; Helen Dem-iy, for Wellington, 133 aduits ; Hovdiug, for Hawke’s Bay, 2084 adults ; Chile, for Auckland, 674 adults ; Cardigan Castle, for Canterbury, 206 adults; Jessie Bradman, for Otago, 161 adults; Zealandia, for Otago, 183 adults. Total ; English, 3,449 ; Scotch, 1,282; Irish, 1,039; Welsh, 103 ; Germans, 65 ; Danes, 300; Swedes, 15 : Norwegians, 259 ; other countries, 95. Total number of adults, 5,4334* A Gatlin’s Kivcr correspondent writes : - “Something should really be done for the improvement of scholastic affairs in this place. The school room, built a few years ago, at the expense of the settlers, is a building of the modest dimensions of 12ft by 16ft. In this cramped-up apartment twenty-two pupils receive trieir daily tuition. That is not all. The school-room is made to do additional service as a schoolmaster’s residence, and as that functionary happens to be a family man, an approximate idea of the position of affairs may be formed. There are about sixty children in the place altogether, but without additional facilities their education must of necessity be neglected. Ihe attention of the Education Board is earnestly solicited.—ln addition to the sawmills at present in operation, two others are in course of erection ; one, on the Owake river, is being built to the order of Mr Guthrie, and the other, at the mouth of ■Sweetwater creek, to that of Messrs John Brogden and Sous The export trade in sawn timber at present represents an average of 15,0l)0fc per day. When the new mills are completed, that amount will be largely increased. The orders at present on hand are chiefly intended for the supply of public works ; railway sleepers being the staple commodity.—Coal samples, found in the Owake fiat some time since, were forwarded to Dr Hector fur analysis. A reply was received to the effect that they contained 55 0 of coke, 1 -25 of ash, 4'50 of water, the rest being carbon. iSince then a seam of considerable thickness has been discovered farther down the flat. These discoveries naturally suggest the idea that coal deposits of commercial importance, if properly looked after, would be found.—Last session of Provincial Council voted a sum for the formation of the road from the new bridge to the Owake flat. The road is very much needed, and now that the summer season has set in, it would be well if arrangements were made to proceed with the work without further delay.” Thu annual entertainment in aid of the prize fund of the Middle District School takes place at the Masonic Hull, this evening. So capital a programme as is put forward should ensure a large attendance. The following team lias been selected by the Citizens Club to play an eleven seleeted from the various hardware establishments in the City on Saturday next ; —Arts, Coxhead, Fagan, M'Millau, Pledger, Secular, Chapman, MTvee, Murray, W. Watson, J. Watson, Mansford, West, Thompson, Towsey, and Muir. The amateur performance at the Princess’s Theatre to-morrow evening, for the Scott Scholarship Fund, ought to draw a large attendance. In the drama of “Black Sheep” several well-known amateurs are to appear, and they will be assisted by Misses Stephenson, Cassy Matthews, Moore, and Mrs Towers. Mr Anderson will play a solo on the grand piano ; and ,a new farce will ruing the performance to a close.