TELEGRAPHIC.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3939, 15 October 1891, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC.

By Telegraph.—Press Association.

Dunedjn, October 14,

At the annunl meeting of the D.1.0, a dividend of 7| per. cent as against 7 per cent lust ydar, was a bonus of 4'per cent on shareholders' purchases.

The Government Labor Agent has up to the present received applications from 405 men for work on the Otago Central Eailway. The records of the Benevolent Trustees show that there has been a steady increase in relief cases during the past five mouths. There were 412 cases last week.

The South British Insurance Company.

Auckland, October 14. At a mee.i got the South British Insurance Company to-day a repart was presented aapreviously telegrajped declaring a2O per cent dividend. The Chairman of the Directors congratula- fcflP ted the shareholders on the success that attended the operations of tile company undor the new policy, and expressed great confidence in the future. Messrs Wilson and E. A. Carr were elected directors in the place of Messrs Wilson and Daldy retiring. Messrs W:.ymouth and Clarke were re-elected auditors. A proposal to reduce tho number of directors from seven to six was negatived. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the chairman, the directors, the manager, and the officers. Some discussion, which more than once assumed a personal tone, was carried on with regard to the past history of the Company. Mr Boardman spoke of the policy initiated in 1882 of establishing brancheß in all parts of the world, a policy which had prored disastrous, and had now been abandoned.

Mr James whs glad they hid met under more favourable auspices than at the late annual meeting. He believed their old directors had acted to their boet ability in the interests of the Company, and he would say little about the misfortrne9 of the past. He felt gratified at the success that had attended the inauguration ot (be new policy, and he complimented the Board upon the balance-sheet now presented. The Chairman said Mr Boardmaa had appeared in the character of Rip Van Winkle. He did not think it wise to go baok upon the errors and blunders of previous years, 4#W>ey alio aid leave the wretched past, and endeavour in the future to do what was right. Mr Boardman having objected that the sum proposed to be set aside for the re-insurance of the reserve fund was not sufficient. Mr Xirker, the general manager, stated that it was the result of careful calculation, and thut to arrive at a correct estimate the company's agents at every point had been instructed to send at the end of each half year a statement showing the actual unearned premiums without ouv deduction whatever.

Mr It. Hobbs said the shareholders were no doubt very pleased at the results of the past years' operations, and endorsed the remarks made by the chairman in re3pect of the general ability of the Company's officers. Ha expressed regret that the Directors | intended to continue the English murine business. The chairman, Mr Peacock, teplied that the English marine business was very profitable. ' Sudden Death of a tflnlitar. Auckland, October 14. The Rev Peter Mason, B. A., J?res* byteiian minister, who Las brim for many years resident in Auckland, suddenly to-night, Fatal Accident. Duhedin, October 14. William Matheson, a ploughman at Otahu station, Waiau distrift, was thrown from a horse yesterday, and received injuries which proved fatal. His family reside at Woodend

An Ocean Penny Post. In ft private letter received from Mr Jackson Palmer, who ia now in Sydney, it is stated, on the authority of Mr ETenaiker Heaton, that the Imperial penny poßt will be in operation withiu the colonies not later than June next. Supreme Court New Plymouth, October 14, In the Supreme Court, a case of slander, wherein Thos. Lloyd claimed LSOO damages from Cornelius Casey! the latter having stated that plaintiff had burnt down his house, whioh was insured, was concluded this morning, when the jury gave a ver* diet for plaintiff, with L 260 damages. Mr Samuel, who appeared for the defendant, applied to the Court to stay proceedings on account of excessive damages. The Judge agreed to hear the application to stay pro* ceedings this afternoon.