Iniquitous Insurance Rates.

Manawatu Standard, Volume X, Issue 12, 12 June 1885, Page 3

Iniquitous Insurance Rates.

A public meeting was held at Peilding on Friday night, to consider the high tariff of insurance south of the Rangitikei river. The attendance was large, and the persons present were men whoso breeches' pockets were touched, and who were, therefore, capable of giving a reliabie opinion on the question at issue. The question was exhaustively discussed, and it was dicided to offer any foreign office not doing business m the Wellington district, a monopoly of insurance for three years. It was also resolved to obtain the co-operation of the townships affected by the high tariff, and a delegate was appointed to attend meetings at such townships. The Feilding business people have determined to do their utmost to break the iniquitous monopoly at present prevailing. At the meeting" on Friday night, £15,000 worth of insurance was guaranteed. This is surely a step m the right direction. The, townships north of the Rangitikei river are just as liable to fire as those south of it. Why then 'should the latter be compelled to pay twenty shillings for what tho former obtain for ten shillings ? The secret of the business ig that the insurance companies concerned have gona m for a "knock out," or, m other words, they have determined to •• rig " the insurance market. It seems to us beyond comprehension that businftss people should have submitted to be fleeced m such a bare-faced manner so long. However, now that the ball has been sent rolling, we hope that a goal will be kicked.— Marton paper.

A portion of the report of. the Road Board is unavoidably held over. i The" Wellington Harbour Board are going m for a loan of half-a-million, arid are contemplating the construction of a graving dock. The Orient steamer Cuaco, from London, arrived at Adelaide last night. A bottle containing £200 m notes was found yesterday m Studley Park, being part of the spoil of the Simpson's Road Bank robbery.- : At yesterday's meeting of the Road Board when tlie ordinary business w«s concluded the Chairman gave the Clerk specific instructions with regard to information being supplied to parties outside. The Chairman stated that m future no particulars whatever were to be supplied to any one without written instructions being received from one of the wardens or himself. We are sorrj? to learn that Mr Sheehan M.H.R. is seriously ilj, but slight hopes being entertained of his recovery. Corporal Barry who fired his rifle out of the railway carriage at Wellington on the 25th, has been reduced and debarred from promotion for- 12 montns. Corporal O'Neill, for the same offence, will probably be dismissed. 65 The no-confidence debate m the South Australian Parliament resulted m a majority of four against the Government, which will probably resign. - An effort is to be mude to secure a uniform marine insurance tariff m Victoria and N«w Zealand. Our readers will be sorry to hear that owing to the dalicat estate of Lady Fox's health, Sir Willium Fox will not return to New Zealand. The Westoe estate, containing 2,500 acres, has been sold to Messrs A. Dalziell, Joa. Hammond, aud Fred. Hammond at £6 10. an acre. — Marton paper. The Frisco mail .will close at Pslmerston on Friday the 19th ir.st.nt, at 7.45 p.m. Mesers Snclson and Co. willaollto-mo^ row at 2 p.m. section 434 Rangitikei Lino containing 100 acres, with a frontage to two inxin roads. It will be seen that a meeting m convened for Monday the 15th iust. ai 1 30. p'ia. at Mr F. MowlcirtV office, to consider the present, high nites of insurance, aud co-operate with Feilding m securing a reduction to h reasonable tariff. Messrs Snelson and Co. have just received an exceptionally fine lot of fruit: trees for to* morrow's sale.