AUCKLAND.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3373, 14 October 1879, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

Last night. Total Abstinence Society. At the annual meeting of the Auckland Total Abstinence Society, the Eev. S. Edger was elected President. Minister of Marine Case.

A preliminary meeting was held in the Young Men's Christian Association rooms relative to the Minister of Marine case. The Bey. S. Edger presided. .Resolutions were passed requesting the Mayor to convene a further meeting, and authorising the Chairman, on behalf of the meeting, to telegraph to the Government requesting it to detain the captain and mate and witnesses till the case was reheard; also requesting the Government to prevent Cale and his fellow seamen now in prison from being compelled to go to sea with the vessel.

A resolution was also passed requesting Sir George Grey and the Auckland members to support the application.

The meeting was crowded, and a large number bad to go away unable to obtain admission. The meeting was enthusiastic and unanimous.

The Penguin has sailed for the South. Passengers for Gisborne —Brassey, Miss Morton, Sharp, C. Palmer, Sneddon ; for Napier—Maney, Mrs Kawha, C. C. Sommers, Shepherd, J. Henderson, Baker j for Wellington—J. C. Cameron, Major Wilson, Mr and Mrs Pearce, Hendryj for Lyttleton—Miss Moore, Mrs W. C. Hill; for Dunedin—J.' Norman; for Melbourne (via the South)— The Hudson Surprise Troupe.

The half-yearly meeting of the South British Insurance Company was held today, Captain Daldy, Chairman of the Directors, presiding. The report showed the total income for the half-year, ending 31st August, including £5526 brought forward from the previous half-year, to be £67,927; and total expenditure £63,876 — premiums, £56,558, and interest and transfer fees £5842. The losses amounted to £41,197, reinsurances and charges, £22,678, balance forward £4051. As shareholders were aware the largest part of the six months was marked by constantly recurring and heavy insurance losses, while the rates in tteveral districts had been greatly reduced. The income of the company had been largely affected by the general and wide spread depression. The guarded policy of directors in curtailing operations in regard to certain classes of business in Toiw of the company having large accumulated profits from former years and interest on investments yielding £5832, the directors recommend the payment of a dividend at the rate of ten per cent per annum. The chairman in moving the adoption of the report, said the company had reduced certain classes of business with fire and marine, and given up large lines which from surrounding circumstances became doubtful, a policy which had doubtless saved them from large losses. The chairman announced that the company's working expenses had been reduced £1000 a year. Captain Daldy and A. Buckland, the retiring directors were re-elected.. A vote of thanks accorded to the directorate and officers.