WELLINGTON.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3358, 26 September 1879, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

Last night. Mr Luckie's annual report to the Government Assurance Commissioner was laid on the table to day. It says:—ln the report of the immediately preceding' year, it was stated that the new business during that period had been greater than in any previous twelve months. I -am gratified to he able (o slate that notwithstanding the financial and commercial depression which has been experienced in the year now reported on, the new business of the office, which had shown a j fulling away during the first six months of the year, has, on the whole, advanced even somewhat beyond the amount which marked the new business of the preceding year. The new proposals received during the year number in all 2767, for the gross sura of £971,461. Of these, COG were either declined or were not completed. New policies were issued to the number of 3071, representing an assured amount of £686,283. The total new premiums amounted to £25,323 9s 9d. Death claims made during the year, under 82 life policies, amounted to £30,G30. These claims arose through tha death of 75 persons. This shows a larger mortality than has occurred in any former year. .At the same time it could be noted that the amount paid per claim is more than ten per cent, under the average of preceding years, while the number of policies, haro very largely increased. Numerous as the deaths htive been, they are still below the rate of mortality on which the insurance lables are calculated. One remarkable circumstance in relation to the claims which have arisen is the fact that of the total number of deaths of assured persons —75 in all—no fewer than 17 per cent were caused by sudden and unexpected accidents. Seven of these casualties were deaths by drowning and five arose from accidents with horses. The sums which become payable by the department to tho representatives of the victims of accidents amounted to £6.400, or fully a fifth of the whole amount payable for death claims. In the period reported tho number of litpscd or discontinued policies during tho year was 547. The policies issued

for tho nine and a half yenrs during which the department ban been in operation number 12,896, assuring a anm of £4,533,733. Of these policies 2,582 have been discontinued by tho lapse, surrender or death of tho assured or otherwise, and there were at the close of the financial year 10,314 existing policies assuring £3,74/1,997. The year's income derived from all sources including i £450 12s 5d from the industrial branch | was £183,072 14s lOd, showing an incrcaso ' of £21.234,13s lid over tlwt of the previous year. The accumulated funds of the Department ns at 30th June amounted to £372,654 14 < sd, giving an increase during the period of £70,592 10s 4d. In accordance with the Statutory Enactment, tables are given showing the comparative advantage of insuring in the Government to other offices. A deputation from Pahautanui waited upon Mr Blackctt, Engineer-in-Chief, this morning to urge the necessity of altering the route for the East Coast Kailway. The deputation pat forth that allowing the railway to pass through Pahautanui and Horikiwi Valley the Government would avoid the expense of a costly bridge across the Porirua Harbor. They also pointed out that by the route being changed a large block of country would be opened up and the reserves of the Government would be increased in value. Mr Biackett, in reply, intimated that the route proposed by the deputation appeared to him to open up land where the population was most likely to settle. He promised that the lines would be carefully surveyed before any definite steps were taken. Owing to an informality in the previous sale of the New Zealand Shipping Company's steamers, they were again submitted to auction to-day. The Hon. J. Martin was the purchaser, for £1600 (? £15,000). Cook and Kilkenny, the English billiard players, have left for Sydney. Parliamentary Gossip. The Address in Reply to the Speech of His Excellency the Governor will be moved by Andrews, M.H.R. for Christchurch, and one of the colleagues of the Premier. It will be seconded by Mr Hurst, of Auckland.