CAPTAIN MOSS AND THE INSURANCE AGENTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4842, 28 September 1876, Page 2

CAPTAIN MOSS AND THE INSURANCE AGENTS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sir, —I have to thank you for taking my part in your issue this morning, and may state that it was not my intention to have noticed the remarks made by Captain Moss at the dinner given by the members of the Central Fire Brigade on Monday evening, as I feel satisfied that gentleman regrets that he made a special attack upon myself. There are, however, certain facts beyond those referred to in your leader which in justice to the various insurance offices should be made known. Ist. That the sum of .€6OO was contributed by the insurance offices for the purpose of defraying the cost of the hose and other appliances required to render the water supply available for extinguishing fires. 2nd. That after the fire which took place in this city on the 26th of March last a sum of about €65 was paid by the insurance offices to the men composing the two brigades for watching and attendance. 3rd. That the insurance offices paid €SO towards defraying the expenses incurred in sending Captain Whiteford and the firemen who accompanied him to Ballarat. 4th. That the insurance offices pay annually £2OO towards maintaining the two brigades, and have in addition to supply every now and then considerable sums required to defray the cost of keeping the engines and Fire Brigade plant in a complete state of repair. sth. That as soon as the water supply became available for extinguishing fires a reduction of 12 J per cent, was immediately made on the rates of premium charged. Perhaps I may be permitted to add that I have always endeavored, in my capacity as representative of an insurance office, and as a private citizen, to support the Fire Brigades, I have invariably recognised their useful-, ness, and tried to evince my appreciation of the important services they have rendered to this community; at the sarnie time, I cannot overlook the fact that in Wellington and other places there is a very large amount of property uninsured, and that more is expected from the insurance offices than is either fair or reasonable.—l am, &c., George Hunter, Wellington, September 27.