THE A.M.P. SOCIETY.

Evening Post, Volume XLIX, Issue 107, 7 May 1895, Page 2

THE A.M.P. SOCIETY.

Under the ablo management of Mr. Teece the Australian Mutual Provident Sooiety maintains its position as the largest end most prosperous local institution ever established in the Australasian colonies. Every year affords a fresh reoord of success. The year jußt olosed was a remarkably successful one, and the figures contained in the report aro simply astounding. During the twelve months 1023newpolioies,assuripg£2,810,919, have been issued, tho now premiums received amounting to no less than .£112,101 11s Bd. Against this new business, the number of death claims has only bgea 991 on 848 lives, the amount payable being .£498,313 Bs, of which JE125.267 8s represents bonus additions. The accumulated funds at the end of the year, after certain deductions, amounted to the enormous total of £12,435,240 103 3d. The cash surplus, after providing for all deductions, amounted to £468,626 8s 3d, out of whioh tho sum of £128.020 12s 5d is available for distribution in bonuses amongst members. During the year, also, thorough porsonal investiga ion by Directors has been made of all securities, and as a result a sum of £225,168 18-) lOd ha 3 been added to the reserve -to provide for any possible depreciation. Thiß reserve now stands at £414,349. A sum of £11,000 has also been written off the value of office premisos. In faot, evtry provision seems to have been made for contingencies and to ensure an absolutely safo finance. The total annual income at 31st December was £2,029,095 16s 7d. A oomparison of the cash surpluses divided at different periods of the Company's history is given in the report, and is very interesting. In 1869 the percentage of profit divided on premiums received was 20 5 ; in 1892 it rose to 416 ; this year it is 3-1 3. Thuß 34 per cent, of premiums reoeived is returned in form of bonus. The cash bonuses of £428,020 represent reversionary bonuses of about £850,000. The oost of conducting tho enormous businoss of the Sooiety has been reduced by nearly I per cent., and, while preseut calculations are based on the Society earning 3} per oent. on investments, instead of 4 per cent., as formerly , a sum of upwards of £25 000, as noted above, has been reserved to assist in passing at an oarly date to a valuation on a3i per cent, basis. The Society may well be congratulated on these magnificent results.

Moinbers of the deputation which waited on tho Premier yesterday, and indeed the Premier himself, seemed to aesume that if tho unsightly cab and cart shelters were removed, their cost, between .£2OOO and .£3OOO, would be entirely wasted. This is not so. Most of the material would bo available for re-erection on some less prominent and more suitable site. Little more than tho cost of romoval would bo lost. This Bhould not amount to many hundreds of pounds, and the money won Id bo well spent in getting rid of the build ngs from their present position and restoring the ground on wliioh they stand to a more legitimate use. On tho fourth page we publish reports of the annual meeting of tho Opera Houso Company's shareholders, the inquest on the Tory-place fire, the meoting of the Management Committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union, and the deputation to the Promier anent the cabmen's shelter. An error occurred in a leading paragraph yesterdny on the subject of the comparative value of loans, Tho New Zealand 3 per cents, were referred to as quoted at .£lO4. It is of course 3} per eeuts. which represent that price. The context rendered the error obvious. The Promier will probably leave for Taranaki by express on Tuesday, and proposes visiting Parihaka, Opunake, New Plymouth, and Waitara. He contemplates speaking at Opunake. The Minister for Lands went South yesterday evening, and will probably speak at Milton before returning, in a httlo over a week. The Botomahana will pick up tho Southern contingent of the second batoh of Uriwera road-makers on hor way North this week. She will pick up the ten Wellington men here on Friday. The Wanganui ten will be sent on by the Gaiclooh from Wanganui to Auokland. Mr. D. J. Nathan has accepted an invitation to address a meeting of farmers at Feilding on Friday regarding his proposals for the expansion of the frozen meat trade He will also, in response to an invitation, discuss the same subject with the Manawatu Agricultural and Pastoral Association on Saturday. Tho Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association has rcqnestnd him to ventilate hia vciva before it during its annual show, and ho has arrangod to visit Dunedin for tbat purpose early next month. The Managing Committee of the latelyformed Insurers' Protection Association has invited the Fire Underwriters' Association to a conference at the Chamber of Commerce, with the object of obtaining a substantial reduction in fire premiums and the discussion of such other matters as are considered oppressive to the insured in this city. It is oonsidcred that a reduction of 50 per cent, should bo made, and it is understood there will be no difficulty in getting tho business taken at about this rate by outsido underwriters if tho local offices are not disposed to moet their policy-holders in a liberal spirit. In our advertising columns the Secretary, Mr Henry Wright, invites nit those who have not already done so to call at his office and enrol themselves as members of the Association, so that they may receive the benefit of any concessions made to its members. The Lyttolton Times states tbat tho Eev. J. O'Bryen Hoaro, of Chrietchurch.in replying to a question as to the inhibition which was recently issued concerning him by the Right Key. the Bishop, said that he had no grievance in connection therewith, as the Bishop, in issuing it, waa merely enforcing the discipline of the Church, and discipline must be enforced. This, he considered, ought to have been done before, as the Bishop, from the beginning, knew what his (Mr Hoare's! intention was, and also that he had entirely relinquished his position in connection with the Üburcb. When the steamer Murray was ooming down the Wanganui river yesterday afternoon it was reported to those on board that the twin-sorew steamer Waverley, which had left for Wellington Borne time previously, had met with an acoident, but they wero unable to ascertain definitely whether it was the loss of one of the propellors or Iho breakage of a shaf c. The Murray towed the partly-disabled vessel over the bar, when ehe proceeded on to Nelson with one ongine, to effeot repairs. The Stipendiary Magistrate pnnished to-day one first offender for drunkenness. John Frankson, a young man, waa convicted of fighting in Taranaki-atreet yesterday, and was fined 20s, or four days' imprisonment. Daniel Cuff was charged with havincr assaulted his wife on the 2nd inst. As the parties had consented to a separation order being drawn up, his Worship directed tho issue of a liquor prohbition order against Luff for 12 months, to have effect in the city and suburbs John P. L. Donovan, arrested by Aoting-Detoolive Gantley on tho charge of having stolen £20, the property of Jolin Cane, was remanded till to-morrow, the police not being ready to proceed. For failing to support his illegitimate child, John H. Burns— who failed to appear in answer to hia summons— was sentenced to a month's imprisonment, the warrant to be suspended in the event of defendant paying the arrears, which amount to £5. Alfred E Dodd, charged with desertion of bis wife and ohild, was ordered to pay ISs per week towards their Bupport. This order was made by arrangement between Meßsrsr Jelliooe and Skerrett, who appeared for the respective parties. The certificates of registration and incorporation of the Tailoresfes' Union and the Operative Tailors' Union under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act have been received from the Begibtrar. Thomas' Hall was well filled last night at the entertainment given by Mr. F. M. Alexander, the Australian olooutionist. Mr. Alexander contributed six items to the programme, including the awesome " Kcgone Aram," Shiel's dignified roplj to Lord Lyndhurst's disparagement of Irishmen, the description of " Kissing Cup's Race," Diokons' account of the death of Poor Jo, the American humourist's racy sketch of the troubles of the man whose advertisement brought upon him bewildering offers for the return of his lost dog, and Jud. Browning's quaint description of Hubenstein'a piano performances. Mr. Alexander proved himself to be & master 'of his art. Pathos is his strongest point, and the recital of the touohing Diokem death-bed scene was his finest effort of the evening, the dog story being about the best of the lighter itoma. There were two encoros, in answer to wliioh Mr. Alexander gave little humonrous selections. Miss Hobs Blaney, the Sunedin soprano, sang Papini'a " Tell me, the Love," and Hope Temple's "When we Meet." Both wero enaored, when "Eobin Adair" and " Comin' through the Bye" were added Miss Laura Fisher gave "She Wore a Wreath of Hoses " with very fino effeot, and responded to a hearty enoore with " Homo, Sweet Homo." Her other contribution waa Lohr's " Biandini." A duet by the two ladies, and " The Yeoman's Wedding Song " by Mi;. P. V. Waters, with the "Friar of Orders Grey" added when encored, oompletod the programme. Miss Cimino played the accompaniments. The usual weekly gosaion of the Pioneer Lodge, i.O.G.T , was held in tho lodgegroom, Courtenay-plaoe, last evening. Bro. Crawford, C.T., presided. One candidate was initiated. The officers' reports showed that the lodge had made great progress. The following officers were installed ; - C.T., Bro. Crawford; V.T., Sis. Englert; Sec Bro. J. H. Smith; F. Sea., Sis. Richards; Treas., Bro. Skinner; Mar., Bro. Ingr»tn; CM., Sis. Ttsker ; Chap , Sis. Livermore; Guard, Bro. Gilbertson ; Sentinel, Bro. Ke»n ; P.0.T., Bro. Glover.

Tho case of the Jutland Flat Gold Mining Company v. M'lndoo, now before tbo Court of Appeal, is of considerable public importance. MTndoo 13 a farmer, living some milea below the locality in which the Company was dredging for gold, and he was buooe; sf ul in an aotion wbioh he brought against it for polluting the Waipori River. The Company is now appealing against the decision given by Mr. Justice Williams, on the gronnds:— l. That the river-bed iB Crown land, and that as miners have a right to deposit mining debris on Crown lands the Company is not liable for siltintr up. 2. That tho Crown and its licensees have acquired a right by prescription to fonl the river with mining dobris. 3 That as the grant made to the Company is for a dredging olaim in the ] Waipori River, and as tho Company has done nothing but what it is authorised by statute to do, it cannot be made liable even if damage haa been done by these dredging operations to the respondent. 4. That tho respondent had acquiesoed in the pollution of tho river, and had disentitled himself to an injunction. A. private oable message from Mr. G. H. Scales utatsa that the whole of the 750 Romney shoep which he took aoross to Sydney by tho Talune arrived alive and well. A barefaced attempt at robbery ocenrred at Petone yesterday afternoon. A young half-caste lad entered the shop of Mr. T. J. Leighton, and while the assistant's attention was otherwise occupied, mudo a grab at some Bilver in the till, and got away with about 19s. Tho assistant gave chase, and, overtaking the boy, recovered the stolen money. The steamer Penguin was annonuaed to leave for Lyttolton at 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon, bnt did not get away until 2.30 o'clock this morning. Messrs. Cable & Co., who started on Sunday afternoon to fit a new valve-face on the high-press oylinder, were unable to execute the job in time, owingto the gear received from Dnnedin being insufficient for requirements and needing alterations, consequently the steamer's departure was delayed until the hour above stated. Mr. Percy Muter, of the actuarial branoh of tho Government Insurance Department, is about to bo married, and the staff of the office has prosented him with a handsome set of silver-mounted carvors and a valuable collection of cutlery. 'Ihe presentation took place this morning in tho Social Club room, Mr. Richardson. Commissioner, being in the chair. After bearing testimony to the ability and successful studies of Mr. Muter, the Chairman called on the Actuary (Mr. Morris Fox) to mako the presentation. Mr. Fox did bo, briefly referring to Mr. Muter's long service, his oarnest efforts to master the intricate details of actuarial work, and his sueoess therein, as shown by the examinations he bad pa°sed in connection with the Institute of British Actuaries. Mr. Muter shortly replied, and after general congratulations the gathering broke up. Tho shipment of timbor to London by the barque Raugitikei at Oreymouth is expeoted to be completed this week, as on Friday last only some 80,000 ft was required to finish the 350,000 ft of her total lading. The vessel finishes loading at Pioton, and will be towed up the Sounds by tho steam tender Duoo. There is some talk of tho Shaw, .Savill and Albion Company sending, the Himalaya to Greymouth for a shipment of timber, but no definite arrangements have yet been made. Onslow Borough ratepiyers are asked by the Mayor to attend on Friday night a meeting in oonneotion with the proposal to form a new road from Kaiwarrato Khandallah, via Crofton. Judgments for plaintiffs were cnterod up by the Stipendiaiy Magistrate to-day in the following undefended cases : — Mrs. Vlookton v. H. Burton, £1 8s ; Bing, Harris and Co. v. W. Seaton, .£llB Is 4d : H. G. Williams v. Fanny Cross, £1 fs 8d ; F. Fahrenbaoh v. C. F. Vonnermark, £22 16s Gd ; Sarah Brown v. B. Hare, £2 ; Brisroe, MaoNoill and Co. v. J. F. Llowollyn, £U 12s 9d ; same v. W. M'Caul, £Ao los 7d ; Vcitch and Allan v. E. Conlin, £1 19s lid ; same v. G. Mundoll, XI 15s 6d j W. C. Gasquoino v. W. Liddy, £1 10s ; same v. T. W. Audnll, 17s ; J. Htchett, v. Mrs. Smith, £5 5s lOd ; same v. Hore Te Nam, £o 103 ; sarno v. J. P. Bannistor, JC3 14s 3d ; New Zealand Clothing Co. v. B. Hill, Tho vacant allotment on tUe southern side of Mr. A. Hoby's dental surgery in Willis-street is about to bo built upon, Mr. J. H. Mevcr having aecurcd a contract for the oreotion of a two-story building for Messrs. M. Ellor and Co., furniture manufacturers The allotment kas a frontage of 33ft Gin, with a depth of CCffc. The showroom, which will open out on to tho street, will bo the whole width of tho building, and will be 40ft long, enabling the firm to mako an excellent display of goods. At the rear of the show-room thero are to be two large workshops, and the npper floor will probably be used for dwelling purposes. Mr, Meyer is now engaged in constructing a largo cellar below where the building is to bo, and it is probablo that it will bo leased to a bottler. The bnilding, which will have a neat appearance from the street, is expeoted to be ready for occupation noxt month. One of the beat monthly journals published in Australasia from the country settlors' point of view is the Australasian Pastoralists' Review, the April number of which is just to hand. It mar be said to be written by eqnuttera for squatters, and furnishes 55 pages of solid news, dealing with all kinds of rural, agricultural, and pastoral topics, with a considerable amount of lighter reading thrown in. The adjourned sitting of the Assessment Court for the Borough of Karori was held yesterday afternoon, when the valuation on H. Dryden's proporty was reduced from JMSOO to Xl4OO, and that on C. O. Graham's from .£lBOO to £1500. Mr. D. Walmaley appeared for Mr. Graham. The open meeting of the Citizens' Institute hold last night was well attended. The Hon. T. W. Hislop presided. Mr. A. A. Stnart-Menteath read an able paper on "The Bangers Besetting New Zealand Liberalism," in which he gave it as his opinion that under the present Government the oountry was in a worse condition than it was fonr years ago. The speakers who followed were nearly all of the opposite opinion. Amongst them were Mrs. Fleming, the Rev. Mr. Glasson, and Messrs. E. Trei?oar, Munro, A. H. Hindmarsh, M. .Richmond, E. L. Burgess, D. Gain, and Schoch. Mr. Mentoith having replied, a vote of thanks to him and the Chairman terminated the proceedings. _ The annual meeting of tho Wellington Public Hall Company, which owns the 'I heatre Royal, Johnston-street, was held iv the company's office, Featherston-street, yesterday afternoon, tho Hon. W. W. Johnston in the chair. Tho report and balance-sheet, whioh have already been published, were adopted. It was decided to reduce the number of directors from sovan to five, and the Hon. W. W. Johnston aiid Mr. J. B. Nathan woro re-elected. The retiring auditor, Mr. G. M. Kebbell, was re-elooted, at a remuneration of £5 ss. A well-attended meeting of tho Loyal Britannia Lodge, 1.0.0. F., M.U., was held last ovonine, Bro. A. E. Cousins, N.G., presiding. Two new members were initiated and seven more proposed. Refreshments were digtribnted by the Harmony Committee. Owing to tho death of Bro. James Pethorick, P.G., the Lodge postponed harmony, and the lodge-room was draped iv black as a token of respeot. Members were reminded of the "social" to be held on the Queen's Birthday, and also of the ohurch parade to the Vivian-street Baptist Church on Sunday, the 26th inst. The Wellington Garrison Band will be represented at the Bands' contest in Timaru on the Ist, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th of October. The first and second prizes have been fixed at wS7S and .£5O. Messrs. T. Tallis Trimnell (Wellington), Wallace (Christohuroh) A. Grieve (Melbourne), and Yon der Meyden (Sydney) have been nominated for the position of judge. At the fortnightly meeting of the Poneke Lodge, U.A.0.D., Petone, the lodge was vitited by the D.G.P. (Bro. Maokay) and a number of other officers and members. The President gave an interesting account of the proceedings of tho Grand Lodge since its formation, and trusted that the Foneke Lodge would soon be in a position to affiliate. Refreshments were handed round, and harmony indulged in. Grave fears are entertained in Lyttolton for the safety of the ketoh Comet, which left Lyttelton 27 days ago for Greymouth, with 400 sacks of produos. Tho vessel was commanded by Captain Thompson, who has had a long experience on the New Zealand ooast, and left Lyttelton shortly before the Bastor gale set in. It is thought she may have lost some of her cargo and been blown off. the shore, in which case she would take a long time to work baok aga ; n. St. Mark's Temperanoe Society held an open meeting last evening, when over 200 members and their friends were present. The programme comprised an instrumental trio by Mits Luff and Light brothers, a duet by Miss Bell and Master Peek, a solo by Master Hylton, songs by Mesdames Reid and Light, Misses Smith and Johnson, Messrs. Light and Hylton, dusts by the Misses Topp, Master and Miss Bell, an address by Mr. Ritson, a recitation by Mr. G. Petheriok, a sketoh and a glee by members of the Society. The Eev. B. Coffey, President, was in the Chair. An oxoellenfc rehearsal of Gilbert and Sullivan's opera "Euddigore" was held last night. iSverything is now in a very forward state for the opening performance, whioh takes place on the 22nd instant, and an exceptionally good production is expeotod. All who have heard any of the rehearsals are charmed with the opera, whioh, it is predicted, ib sure to become popular. Court fir William Jervois, A.0.F., held its usual fortnightly meeting in the State school, Nowtown, last night, Bro. S. Hoy, C. 11., presiding, and a good number of members being present. After the business had been oonoluded, refreshments and harmony were indulged in. Fire candidates were initiated into the Order, and eight proposed for membership next Court night. It was roßolved to keep tho reduoed entrance fee ia foroe for a while longer. _ The TailoMsses' Union resolved at a meeting held lost evening— Miss Christie in the ohoir— to support the nominations of Messrs. A. Ward and H. O. Jones to the Board of Arbitration. An interesting *rt competition has been promoted by Mr. H. S. Chfpman, of Sydney, who has offered three oash- prizes of 75, 25, and 15 guineas for the beßt three pictures of "Minerva, the Goddess of Wisdom." All artists in Australasia are entitlod to compete, and the trnstees of the National Art Gallery of New South Wales have consented to aot as judges. Another of the s;ries of popular concerts will take place at the Skating Bink to-mor-row evening. The programme is advertised elsewhere. It will bo noted that the management have scoured tho servioes of Mr. F. M. Alexander, the elooutionist, Miss Rose Blaney, soprano, ana Miss Fisher, contralto, all of whom 10 well entertained last night's audienoeat Thomas! Hall; also, Miss Clarice Brabaßon, solo piablst,, and Mr. Horaoe Stabbing, baritone. With snob. exoeUent fare fora concert at popular priooß, the Bink should be orovrded.

A mild eensation has been caused in Wellington during tbe past week or two by the receipt of news of the elopement of. two people well known in the city — a man" formerly prominent in business oircles, and the wife of a warehouseman. The pair went away by different rontcs. One of them has written back stating the nature of tho escapade, and intimating that they have no intention of returning. We learn from the Hospital this afternoon that there is no change in the condition of the man Patrick, who was severely burned in tho Tory-place fire. Tho Terranora returned to Wellington at 12.15 to-day from Cook Strait, having completed the laying of the new oable at 11 a.m. yeßterday. Mr. Logan afterwards tested the broken three-core cable. The steamer will next proceed with the repairs to this old cable. Sir George Clifford's three aores in Hobson-street, which were recently offered to the City Council for £8000 as a recreation ground, have not waited long to find a purchaser at a substantial advance on the price named to the Connoil. Mr. David Ziman, of Johanneßburgh, Transvaal, who is on a visit to Wellington, has purchased the property from J. H. Bethnne &Co for something over £8500 oash. Mr. David Ziman is a brother of Mr. J Ziman, of this city, and a son-in-law of Mr. B. Cohen. He is well known in tho Transvaal as an enterprising capitalist, and it is satisfactory to find that he is so impressed with the prospects of Wellington as to desire to invest in real property hore. Those who thought the prioe asked for from the City was too high will now probably regret that the opportunity of acquiring the land at that price has been lost. As we pointed ont at the time, it would have been a good bargain for the City. Mr. Ziman will probably out the land up for building purposes. A Borious accident occurred in Torystreet at 10 o'olook this morning. A boy, only four years of age, named Horatio Weston, was crossing Lower Tory-street, when ho was run over by a spring cart belonging to Thawley Bros., grooers, and very badly injured. His thigh was broken, and he was also hnrt internally. Dr. Pollen, who was sent for, ordered his removal to tbe Hospital, and he was taken there by tho driver of the cart. The retail price of milk has, we learn, been raised to 4d per quart for the four winter months. A resident of Aro-street had 17 valuable fowls stolen last week. Several similar cases are reported. The Wairarapa Standard says :— On Saturday a native died at Greytown whose history has been more than usually fnll of incident. Te Kooti te Ratu was born in the Wairarapa, but when a child was made a captive by Te Bauparaha in one of that warrior's raids, and taken to Porirua. Afterwards be beoame connected with the mission of the Eev. Mr. Ironsides, who sent him to the Three Kings College at Auckland, to be trained for the ministry. He was in duo time ordained, and for 30 years has been a consistent and respeoted minister of the Wesloyan Church. His first station was tho Chatham Islands, and afterwards he was at Raupahi, near Lyttelton. His wife died some time ago, and was buried at Eaiapoi by the Rev. W. Rowso, from whom we have obtained tbe foregoing particulars. The deceased was attending the Native Land Court sittings here. A private letter from the Transvaal received by Mr. D. Ziman by the last mail gives the following interesting particulars of tho captnre of some gold thieveß :— " Tho detectives have found two Americans living near Hoilbronn-road who have been plundering the gold sent by train from Barberton and Pilgrims' Best for the last two years, j They were formerly guards on the Capo railways, but, leaving this employ, settled down as farmers ostensibly, but really as gold-robbers. They had carried off a snfe from Pary's, O F.S., and the Bpoor was traced for miles to the farm where they lived. Ultimately it was found in a mealio field about 400 yards from the house, with mealio Btalkß growing over it. One of the parties in chase happened to pull a moalie stalk, and it oame away at once Suspicion was roused, and on scratching tho soil the safe was found, and scrip of the face value of £200,000, but much more roally Jewellery of the value of £10,000 was found, and also over a dozen bars of melted gold were found under the safe. Altogether it is ono of the finest captures ever made in South Africa." Tcndera are invited for printing, &c, 350 copies of tho rales for the proposed No. 2 C'o-operatiro Building Society, of Wolhugtou. Huddart, Parker, anil Co. announce still further reduction in fares by their steamer Aogliati, which leaves on Friday for East Coast ports and Syduoy. J. J. Taylor, sanitary plumber, Courtonayplace, has admitted Arthur Ramsay, the prize medallist at tho Technical School, into partnership. On our third page George Thomas and Co. call attention to the sale of a charming freehold farm property of 50 acres, with residence erected tlioreon, situated at Tukapu, midway between Tawa Plat and Porirua. Tiie sale is by order of the Public Trustee, to close accounts iv tho estate of George Davis (deceased). Trareller»' samples of beautiful enamelled ware are advertised by Cameron and Christie, Lainbtouquay, for sale at English cost ; also a Urea shipment of American household woodwaro nud Rochester lamps at what they will fetch. Tbe firm advises an early call to eosure bargains. ,F. H. Wood will i-ell to-morrow, at the Carterton auction rooms, the station property known as Baunocltburn, situated at Gladstone, iv the Wairarapa district. The property is for absolute sale. Lftery and Co. (Limited) will sell to-morrow, unredeemed pledges. Freeman E. Jackson will sell to-morrow, at Johusonville, stock. (ioorgo Thomas ana Co. will soil to-morrow, fruit.