THE INCREASED INSURANCE RATES.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 3077, 11 December 1888, Page 2

THE INCREASED INSURANCE RATES.

A public meeting was held 111 the Oddfellow s Hall last night (Monday) for the purposo.-of the cause of the recently issued tariff of insurance rates,'and the best means t(j bo taken lo obtain a reduction.■■■ Mr L. J. Hooper was voted to the chair. . The Chairman stated the business of. the meeting, and invited discussion. He could not explain-the reason of the increased tariff, biit Mi" Sellar was expecting advices from Wellington that night, when they would probably learn the cause. MrKenall said it was very well known that the Insurance author' ities had given the Borough Council an intimation that unless they got a better water supply, and kept a gas jet "always burning under tlie the'steam fire engine the rates would bo increased. A letter to that effoct had been read, and lie had suggested a reply be sent stating.-the" question of a better water supply would shortly come before the burgesses and they would be further communicated with. Before the''election of a new Council' he had called a public meeting on the water, supply question. He could not get the old Council to agree with him and the burgesses had returned the same rneh on the new board and they had been a happy family ever since. > Tliey did nothing oil the new Council and he had avoided' the question aa he considere d lie slaould not nowt'aketheinitiaiive. He hadspoken to none of them except Cr Gapper," and that was more or less, in a private way. The letter had almost passed out of his recollection until anartiole ill Saturday's Daily had revived it. Tliat article was not gdirig to rest where it was. Hehad handed it to his solicitor for him to. peruso and lie would see whether be could not give his friend Mr Pay ton the opportunity to explain before spme other tribunal. As regards the water, supply, how; ever, the Borough Council had no funds,. but those present, ; if they liked to put their hands into their pockets, and subscribe £3O to get the water down, he could soon do.it,

.Mr W; Perry; What's that to do. with Insurance 1 Mr Kenall: I am, replying to the Chairman's question as to the cause of the increased rate. ■ . - Mr T. G. Mason said lie could not agreewith the remarks of Mr.Ronall. Eight years ago he was paving fortyfive shillings per cent., before they had even a fire engine. They: .had now a Steam Fire Engine, arid. two manuals, and everybody knew they had a water-supply sufficient tocope with any fire in the towiij- and water' gates had been placed in the creek at iutervals.for use.in tlie eventof 1 flre. r The fact was

j question with.the a water supply, it is; blackmailing,; \oheers.) ; -v.;. ; Mr Hogg said Mr Mason overlooked one thing. The aspect of thetown was totally changed. Large blocks of buildings which did not formerly j exist had been' .erected, such as Cock-burn's aud others, k the absence of insurance representatives, lie must say it was not altogether' I without justioe they had acted afl they had dono. They had given the Borough timely notice that unless they got a better supply of water for fire preventive purposes and kupt a jet of gsia burning under the firo engine boiler they would increase the rates. Tiieir alleged reason for tlio latter request was that they had ascertained that at a certain'fire a considerable time had elapsed before the engine could he brought into play. There was one question; if the Chairman would allow him, he would like to ask Mr Konall, that was whether it was true lie ov any of his friends did hold communication with the insurance agents in reference to a water supply. •

Mr Benall: If I had been guilty of anything so unworthy I should not be fit to hold the position of Mayor, (Hear, hear). I distinctly deny it. I did, I think, speak to MrJUaoara about iusuraiice rates,;but since then I have never spolten to a soul, As to what Mr Paytonhas said I have handed that over to ray solicitors, and will give Mr Payton an opportunity to answer it before another tribunal. I might say in answer to Mr Mason it only shows whathe knows abouMiat is going on in Masterton. Some time ago. the steam fire engine went to Mr Jones' on the Upper Plajn and to Mr Wrigley's on an alarm of fire, and there was no water, Ten shillings for each journey was the cost to the Borough. In the case of Wrigley's, only for tho i action of the Council, they could have had plenty of water, ' • Mr Payton said he did not know whether it wonld be safe for him tcf reply, being threatened with legions of lawyers. ( 1 aughter.) [Mr Eenall: No I only one.] He had spoken to an Insurance agent, who. had said that oertain letters woro the cause of the increase, ajid he had put the question to him in this way!' Should l Be justified in assping that friends of Mj- ilenall—and wlien lie used' tlie word !! friends'' he: alluded to tlie

enthusiastic support™ of Mr Mali -had written the letter?," and the repfy'pf tlie wji'jw in tlie afrmative, fie did not for j'mpment accuse Mr Benall of writing tho letters, and did not think ho even suggested such a thing. Mr Eenall, however, was a popular man, and had soino very enthusiastic supporters, who did not always know where to draw the lino. Ife did attribute to tho ftojtion of uome of tlioso enthusiastic supporters' t|ip"resu}t of the present' high vajtes."" ' .Mf HMg'.tMid' after that statement he''ii.Qu|l) ''Mr'Piyt,qn Bfjpult] be called upon to nwliisaiiti'iority. If he (the speaker) had the infornia. tion Mr Payton said he possessed lie would divulgeit, He thoughtitwasnot right the innocent should suffer with the guilty. If they had a Judas amongst them he ought to be pointed

The Chairman said the. Question 'thoy had : met to consldei' waa how they wero to meet their present diflioulty. Mr Wickerson said lie thought it mjj[h| by asking the Borough to' fop tei water supply,' Since no' lmd"bei)U in Masterton lie had/noticed the Council had always been in - opposition to a' water- supply for Queen street. "(Mr PerryM) He contended that i t ihstahted.thp" biia.a v oV Mr lie asked what was the uso of having a fire enjW without >,water ?. *'J]ho L'ounoil 1 )!)fliet'-ppon' being bu^ldfug,

When the fire insurance offices seiit an agent to Masteiton lie wai possessed of sufficient > intelligence to see foi-.himself that there v. as an insufficient water supply, without tbo aid of: iinyono to point it ■ out, -or letters his attention to it, They had sufficient intelligence to discover that a block lilio the one .'where .their present meeting wasi winch had neithor pump-nor well,'-: was in an unprotected state. Be would like to see . some resolution brought forward, asking the Council i to. provide armors efficient, wator supply and compel householders to have wells on their.premises.. The Chairman asked if that would induce tlie Insurances offices to lower the. present rates, \yhat they wanted I was to induce them to go back to the i oid rates. . Mr Wickerson reiierated.the fault lay. with the Borough Council. Mr E. Dixon said the tariff had been raised in spite of all the efforts they had made,to increase the means of . preventing the ~spread of fires, i They had doubled the rates and it was for the residents interested to say ".if you don't reduce them again yye' will take' our business elsewhere." The. ratepayers had gone to tho expense of providing a steam fire engine and he did not see that they should run into further;debt aimply to benefit the Insurance Offices. ■

'• Mr Payton said' they wanted'; information, and to know the causes that had brought about tho. present state : of things, ; This -could fb'e obtained by appointing a small Committee of business metf-those not mixed up with' Munioipal' polir tics.;,.Theoourso-'lie would recommend to their notice was that the Committee should meet the Insur-; ance ageiits, arid argue the point. Tlie Committee could then draw up a report, and say what was neces-. sary to bo done to obtain a reduction in the rate's. ' It such a report contained a recommendation than Mr lienall's or any other scheme should be adopted, then it would be the duty: of everyone to, support it,' He himself would be tho first to do so. (hear,- hear.)" He moved that a small Committee be appointed to meet and report at a future meeting.; .• - Mr Hogg seconded the motion It was a matter of urgency and they i did not want people to be bled longer than necessary, The Committee might wait upon the Borough to-morrow (Tuesday) aiid soo. what ■ arrangement* they i would come to about a water supply. I If the Council could not agree, with"i Mr Benall they could refer their I differences to the arbitration of inde-1 pendent men. The Committee could i also, with Mr Payton's help investigate the charges of letter .writing MrPaytou hoped the Committee Would . make the investigation re•it jas a mare's letters Mr Hogg proposedseven^rePay• ton three, and Mr R. Nicholls five. A vota wis taken and it was resolved that the Committee consist, of five, three to form a quorum. The following gebtlemen were appointed, Messrs P, Dickson, T. G. Mason, L, J. Hooper, J, Graham and W, Dougall. . . i

"Mr Payton thought it would be far better to leavp tlio Committee to work unfettered with instructions. If at any time tliey wanted advice or assistance they could "call the adjourned meeting together; Mr K. Jones asked how it was no insurance agents were present. Tho rates had been increased of late and he/had been told it was on account of the steam 'eugiue. If the insurance agents wanted a supply of water they shoald come up and see about it,, If the burgesses brought in a water supply what allowance would the insurance offices make. v Mr Hogg movedthat it he a recommendation to the Committee to wait upon the Borough Council to-morrow and get a reply from the Council re! the water supply and investigate the letter writing and the cause of the rates being raised, , and as soon as that was done convene another meeting, He would go a step further and get a resolution passed appealing to the Government for aid. If the Government could carry 011 successfully a life assurance association, why not a fire insurance. •

Mr R. Nicholls seconded the motion, ■ ■ _ Mr Payton would have no objection to the Committee waiting upon the Borough Council providing they themselves thought it a proper step, It was far better to put full trust and confidence in the. committee and let them exercise their judgment, . Mr Hogg expressed his surprise at the last remark, If the Committee waited upon tho Council that body would know that they had the support of "a large and influential body of ratepayers. His resolution would not hamper the Committee but strengthen their hands. Mr Payton: Mr Chairman, I would like to ask you 0110 question,' Do the Committee wish this.' fesolution put?' ■ c : : '|r Hogg; This js cjomiriglit obstruction. ; Mi* Payton has evidently come to this meeting on purpose to obstruct. ' ■ Mr Payton rose to a point of order. He asked that Mr Hogg be called uppi; tp withdraw that he had obsiiimofed thp Meeting. Mr Hogg said ho would be quite willing to withdraw his , remark as soon as Mr Payton diyulgedvho had informed him that letters liad been written to the insurance offices. Tho Chairman said the remarks pf Mr Hogg were not altogether called for. My Payton was one of themselves and his interests wpreiijentfcal witli'-tli(j;rs;'(in l d if'wis'lib gaiiv to hiin tb iMruct'llje meeting. i! '" ! Mr ijogg spit} ho i.nieiits' .tliafi' ijppn |liqse present, - Mr Payton nsketl the ruling of the Chairman as to whether lie had in any way obstructed the meeting.' The Chairman: I rule you have not, Mr Payton. . Mr Brown said lie thought the Uah)tyifct6o WQu!d|ftin.tint(! 'by. first ascertaining' "from -' the Insurance Offices upon" what conditions: 'tli&'y would reduce the rates, ; ' ■The Chairman thought so too. They did not know 'whether it was (of Want of o, wfltor supply or in coutju'ougho.ut't}j6j Colony that'tllo local'rates had' ! been raised; Mr Wickerson said the rates .were raised ilr consequence of the Borough Golihcil' not; complying wit]i the reconimeiltlatidM w llio -Inspircc Offices.- 1 ■' !')" 1 Mr J. Graham.said .he "could jjot fail to see the'remarks of .tlio .Oliair-

V . - -"V'-fyij/Y';Mj ; -,su ■ ;■:.;v.v. rami were to the point. If any'lino -O was laid down for the Cotamittee low, theirlmnds would m tent be tietl. If theyknewthoreflfc of' \ tbo lates being rtad ,to teut they woulMeable to go to tbe "" Counoil antl state the fads; tbey would be placed in a false posi-' " t tioi);;/;' viv||| After some tuitbci discussion it > was resolved by thnteen votes to • eight that the matter be left in . the ■*•&!• hands of the committee to,aot as they if. ? - 1 ! deem fit, A vote of-tluraks to tlie .Chair was' coined and the meeting adjourned." ,