LICENSED VICTUALLERS' MEETING.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4945, 27 January 1877, Page 3

LICENSED VICTUALLERS' MEETING.

A meeting of licensed victuallers and others was held at the Post Office Hotel last evening, for the purpose of considering the project (to which we referred in yesterday's issue) of forming a Mutual Licensed Victuallers' Fire Insurance Company, the meeting havingbeen calledbyMr. Geo. Roxburgh. There were fourteen persons present, the chair being occupied. by Mr. Duncan who spoke of the increasing interest taken in the question of insurance, and of ' the necessity of forming some society to ■ enable'property-holders to obtain the benefits of insurance at a cheaper rate than at present; and he remarked that his idea was not so much the formation of an institution precisely similar to that mentioned in the circular, as one of a * more extended character to benefit persons in different situations in life who were unable to • bear the present insurance rates, which were too heavy. As an 'example of this he remarked . that he could not insure che building he had recently erected within £IOOO of what it cost him. —Mr. Roxburgh stated, that the question which they had met to consider was one that had engaged his attention for many months, - and he had considered it is duty to bring the matter prominently before the public. In the first place, he remarked that there was no intention to interfere with existing companies, otto reduce rates, but it waa felt that the peoplecould not at present insure to an adequate amount to cover ordinary trade risks, and this applied more particularly to publicans. '■ He then read a letter from Mr. H. E. Alport, Christchurcb, making inquiries as to the state of feeling in Wellington regarding the formation of a company which, would take risks at reduced rates ; and remarked, in connection with the letter, that the company proposed need not neces?a7-ily be confined to publicans, but might have a wider field, embracing the whole of New' Zealand. 'He spoke at considerable length, and in conclusion read the prospectus. It is proposed to call the company the New Zealand Alliance Hotel and General Fire Insurance Company.—A suggestion was made by Mr. Jackson that themeetin" should be adjourned in order that the hotel business might be more largely represented. Mr. T. K. M.\'':no>;.\l.D supported this view of the'case; and the CHAntMAN having spoken in terms of praise regarding the action taken by Mr. Roxburgh, together with his explanation of what was required, those in attendance resolved that this should be considered a preliminary meeting; and it was therefore adjourned till Tuesday next. The meeting pledged themselves to cordially support the proposal for the formation of tho projected new company. A provisional committee was appointed, and they will hold a meeting in Mr. TV K. Macdouald's office on Monday after- * ,oon at four o'clock. The names of the committee are—Messrs. Roxburgh, R. J. Duncan, .J J? Marfctts, T. K. Macdonald, A. Young, Light, Swain, Hatch, Jackson, Wakley, Press, .J. Haynes, Feotoa, Seymour, and Harding. —Mr. SaiMOint, of the I/iccwed VicluaUers' QaseUt, who is travelling through the colony, mentioned that in various places he had visited the publicans regarded the movement in a favorable light, and in Auckland the Licensed Victuallers' Association had already moved in the same direction. —The mooting terminated with a vote of thanta to the Chairman.