HOW A ROTHSCHILD GAVE AN ANNUITY FOR A PORCELAIN SERVICE.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2286, 30 July 1881, Page 3

HOW A ROTHSCHILD GAVE AN ANNUITY FOR A PORCELAIN SERVICE.

One day an old man, careworn, wrinkled, feeble, and apparently tottering on the verge of the grave, presented himself before Baron James Rothschild soliciting the honor of an interview with the famous banker, Tne old man was so aged, so poor, and had so dejected an aspect that the baron was immediately impressed with a compassionate feeling, and this became a lively interest on learning that he was a Jew. The aged visitor took from his bag a rich and beautiful plate, so splendidly wrought that the baron admired it exceedingly. ' Sir,' said the patriarch, ' will you buy this of me? I have the whole set, and a service so beautiful must find its fitting place in the mansion of the prince of financiers.'

'lt is indeed V6ry fine,' said the baron, ' How much do you wish for the service ?' ' Look you, sir,' said the old man, ' I am bowed down with many years, and have not long to live, I am poor, and wish to end my days in comparative comfort. Will you in exchange for this valuable set of porcelain give me an income for life of 100 francs (20 dollars) a month? It is not much for you, and I am so old.' The baron looked at the poor old man, examined the plate again, and after a few minutes' reflection said :—' Well, be it so ; here is the first payment. Send me the service, and give me your name that I may have it entered in my treasurer's books.' The splendid set of porcelain was delivered the same day to the baron, and a month afterwar.l, while he was seated in h)3 counting-house, a man entered and asked for the second payment of the proposed income. But the man was young, scarcely thirty-four years of age, of a vigorous constitution and great muscular development, and looked as if he would live for 100 years. ' But you are not the man !' exclaimed the astonished banker. ' Excuse me, baron,' said he ; ' I am indeed the man.' ' But you appeared at least eighty years old,' said the baron. ' But, sir, I am only thirty.' said the man. ' In fact,' continued the baron, ' I thought your venerable appearance did not belie your assertion.' 1 1 have wonderfully recovered,' observed the man,' and thanks to your generosity.' The baron laughed heartily, and gave orders for the payment of the money, ex claiming, ' Ah ! you are an excellent comedian, and have taken me in thoroughly.' ' I am probably the first who has done bo,' replied the Jew, politely bowing to the millionaire. For years Kothechild paid the monthly j allowance. His porcelain Bervice is so exquisite that he does not complain.

NEW ZEALAND SHIPPING COMPANYThe eighth annual report of tho directors of the New Zealand Shipping Company Limited, to bo presented to the shareholders at the general mooting to be held at the head office i, Hereford Btreet, Christchurch, on Friday, the 12th day of August, 18dt, at noon. Tour directors have tho pleasure to Bnbmit tho balance-sheet for the year ending June 30th last, including colonial branch accounts to that date, and London office accounts to 30th April, 1881. The business of the company has been well maintained, and with satisfactory results. Tho company's ships are in a high state of efficiency, and have been free from accident of any serious nature during the year. Management—Tour directors are glad to inform shareholders that Mr Coster has accepted the position of managing director, and his able services will now be devoted to the conduct of the company's business. The insurance fund has at credit the sum of ,£6I2G 17s 9d. Of the balance at credit of profit and loss at the 30th June, Gs lOd. The directors have appropriated to tho reserve fund, which will then B tand at .£IOO,OOO, the sum of .£25,000; and your directors propose to pay a dividend of 10 per cent, for the year, of which a moiety was paid in January last, £ 12,500 ; to car-y forward to profit and loss now account, .£3456 Gs lOd. Total, £40,956 Gs lOd. The following d'rectors retire, and offer thomBo'ves for re-election : —John Anderson, John StudhMme, and A. Cracroft Wilson; nko, Robert Wilkin, who has been elected by the Board to the seat vacant by the ros'gnation of C W. Tumor. The dividend will be payable at the head offices and all the colonial branches on and after August 13th inst. For the Board of Directors, H. P. Mubbay-Atnslet, Deputy Chairman. Christchurch, Jury 2Glh, 1881. Balance sheet of the New Zealand Shipping Company, Limited, on 30th Jnno, 1881 (London accounts to 30th April, 1881) : £ s. d. £ b. <l. To capital subscribed 250,000 0 0 Less amount uncalled 125,0:0 0 0 To bills payable ... 9,157 0 9 Debentures, fixed doposits, and accrued interest 117.8G8 3 11 Dividends unclaimed 156 15 0 Snndry debts dne ... 57,932 13 3 Reserve fund 75,000 0 0 Insnranco account ... M 26 17 9 Balance at credit of profit and loss ... 40,950 C 10 £4-32,497 17 G By company's fleet of ships, eostinir ... 330,832 19 7 Sundry property and stores on hand and afloat 3,507 14 11 Leaseholds and office furniture London and colony 13,462 0 9 Sundry debts duo, including net freights collectable (insured) 5C.7C2 10 3 Cash balance at credit with bankers ... 13,205 9 8 Potty cash at Loudon and agencies 54 10 5 Bills receivable ... 2,45119 11 Dividend account—interim dividend paid in January G. 250 0 0 £432,407 17 0 PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT. To reserve fund—Further appropriation, bringing it up to £IOO,OOO 25,000 0 0 Dividend Acconnt— To provide for interim dividend paid in January last 6,250 0 0 Further proposed dividend, making 10 per cent, for the year ended 30th Juno, 1881 0,250 0 0 Balance—Carried forward to profit and lobb new account ... 3,456 G 10 £40,956 6 10 By balance—Brought forward 2,357 14 3 Nett profit—Of the operations from 30th June, 1880, to 30th June, 1881 35.5J8 12 7 £40,95G 6 10 CAPrVAX ACCOUNT. To amount subscribed—2s,ooo shares of £lO each 250,000 0 0 £250,000 0 0 By account paid up—25,000 shares at at £5 each 125,000 0 0 Balance of capital uncalled 125,000 0 0 £250,000 0 0 We have examined the books, accounts, and vouchers of the New Zealand Shipping Company, Limited, including the London balance sheet to 30th April, duly audited and certified as correct by Messrs Qnilter, Ball, Crosbie, Glegg and Welton, of Moorgute street, and hereby certify that the foregoing is a full and fair balance sheet, and properly drawn up, so as to exhibit a true and correct view of the company's affairs to the close of these accounts. Christohnroh, 22nd July, 1881.