FEATHERSTON

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 October 1938, Page 9

FEATHERSTON

AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION. MUTUAL INSURANCE CO. (“Times-Age” Special.) The 23rd annual meeting of members of the Wairarapa Automobile Association Mutual Insurance Company was held in Featherston last night. The chairman (Mr H. Lawson) presided and others present were Messrs F. C. Bunny, H. E. Jackson, W. H. Jackson, H. J. Jones, T. E. Lang and R. W. Roydhouse (directors), C. W. Ritchie (auditor), F. W. Smith, H. M. Ward, W. J. McGill, H. Buck, H. Bloxam, L. G. Benton, J. S. Viles, and the secretary-manager (Mr N. S. S. Shepherd). Apologies for absence were received from Messrs J. W. Card, Gordon Hughan and Nichols. Reference was made by the chairman to the death since the last annual meeting of Mr Wm. Benton for many years a director and chairman of the company and it was decided to record appreciation of his services. A vote of condolence with his relatives was passed, members standing in silence. The adoption of the report and balance sheet was carried on the motion of the chairman, seconded by Mr R. W. Roydhouse. The chairman pointed out that the strength of the company lay in the fact that it was a mutual company, run on sound lines. Only members of an Automobile Association could insure with them and re-insurance was effected with Lloyds. The number of policy holders was over 1300 and premium revenue less re-insurance and special rebate to members was £9981 10s 6d, being £3461 13s lOd more than the previous year. Claims cost £5205 9s 9d, a percentage to premium income of 50 1-3 per cent, while the ratio of working expenses to premium net income was 22 1-3 per cent. Mr R. W. Roydhouse pointed out that these figures compared favourably with the N.I.M.U. where claims to income were 65.7 per cent and working expenses 24 per cent. The assets of the company totalled £28,736, the bulk of which was invested in local bodies debentures, and from which an income of £BBB 18s 6d was received last year. The two vacancies on the directorate were filled by the re-election of the retiring directors, Messrs H. Lawson and H. E. Jackson.

Mr C. W. Ritchie was re-appointed auditor at a fee of twenty-five guineas.

It was resolved that the directors’ fees be the same as previously, viz., £2 2s, plus travelling, per meeting, with an extra. fifty guineas to the chairman Last year the total was £256. A recommendation was made to the directors to review the secretary-man-ager’s salary in view of the expansion of the company’s business. A vote of thanks to the directors and chairman concluded the meeting. Service of Dedication. There was a good attendance at St John’s Church yesterday when a service of dedication of the Ladies’ Guilds was held. Mrs Fry, wife of the vicar of Lower Hutt, gave an interesting address. Passages from the Scriptures were read by Mrs Algar Williams (president of the Featherston Ladies’ Guild), Mrs R. W. Matthews and Mrs Carne Bidwill. The service was followed by. afternoon tea which was served in the Parish Hall. Vital Statistics. The vital statistics for September are as follow: —Births 3, deaths 1, marriages nil. Rainfall Record. The total rainfall for September was 7.41 inches. Rain fell on 20 days, the heaviest fall being 2.08 inches on September 8. In September, 1937, 6.08 in. of rain fell on twenty-one days. Address by Hon. D. G. Sullivan. The Hon. D. G. Sullivan delivered a political address here last night on lines similar to those at Masterton on Monday night. He dealt extensively with railway matters, and the position in regard to rolling stock. The Mayor of Featherston (Mr J. W. Card) presided over an attendance of about 400 people. Mr Sullivan was enthusiastically received, and the meeting concluded with a vote of thanks and confidence and cheers for the Government and the member for the district (Mr B. Roberts) .