THE GOVERNMENT INSURANCE ASSOCIATION.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7144, 23 April 1885, Page 2

THE GOVERNMENT INSURANCE ASSOCIATION.

The Post says :— " The question of appointing Local Boards under the Government Insurance Association will probably come before the Central Board next week. It is understood that the chairman, Sir Julius Yogel, will use every effort to force their appointment, and that the elected members of the Board will resist the proposal to the utmost. Of course if Sir Julius Yogel is determined he will carry his point, and prove what we have always asserted to be the case — that the so-called representation of policyholders on the Board ia a mere sham, and that the elected members have no real power." In this matter we hold Sir ; Julius Yogel to be perfectly right, and the Post perfectly wrong. The Act of last session distinctly provides for the appointment of ' local Boards of Advice, and if the Central Board attempts to burke the plainly-ex-pressed intention of the Legislature an amending Act must bepassed. We have not seen, and cannot conceive, any arguments in favor of the control of the Association being left entirely to the Central Board. In the larger questions of the tables, rates of premiums, conditions of policies, and general management of the business of the Association the Central Board would probably hare control, and no one would seek to tie their hands in such matters. But there are subordinate questions which could be better dealt with by looal Boards of Advice, foremost among which is the important one of exercising a large influence upon the selection of the "lives" to be insured. The gentlemen comprising these Boards would necessarily, in our limited communities, know a great deal of the lives of many intending assurers not sufficiently brought out by the questionings of the medical officers, and their guidance on such questions would be of great value. It seems to be generally understood that, in accordance with the determination of Wellington men to centre everything in the form of government in Wellington, a majority of the Central Board are inclined to keep the whole reins of direction in their own hands. Our Wellington contemporary, however, seems to think that Sir Julius Vogel's force of character will enable him to carry his views — and we hope the prediction will prove correct.

On the fourth page will be found articles entitled " How Burnaby Died " and "How the Ooldstreams got their Motto." There were 4517 fewer births than deaths in New York last year. who have not yet paid their rates should do so before noon to-day, otherwise their names will be excluded from the burgess roll. We are requested to state that " Caledonia's Consultation " is a genuine affair, backed up by responsible promoters of well-known local reputation. At the meeting this evening o£ the Olive-square Mutual Improvement Association there will be a debate on the subject of " Is the nationalisation of the land desirable?" As this question is of great interest, there is likely to be a large attendance of members and visitors, the latter being cordially invited* The construction of the traffic and railway bridge over the Manawatu river, a few miles on the Maaterton side of Woodvine, is progressing rapidly. The abutments, which are of concrete, and were rather a tough job, are now nearly completed, and the other portions of the 5 work are being vigorously pushed forward ' by Mr M'Kenzie, the contrator. j A foot-race of 50 yards was run at 1 Farndon Park yesterday, between Flude, J of Napier, and the well-known Clivo <

butoher, Mr Selby. Flude conceded his opponent four yards Btart. Every inch of the ground was keenly contested, the butcher landing a winner by about a foot. There was a " little bit of a scene " for a short time after the conclusion of the race, owing to a protest being entered by Flude. Messrs Kohn Bros., the well-known jewellers, announce that they havo determined td give up business in Wanganui in consequence of the departure of Mr A, Kohn for England, and they intend making a clearance of the stock on hand, to which end a portion of the stock will be offered in Napier. The firm is well known, their stock of jewellery needs no puffing, and the prices are announced to be kept yery low. Mr Bachelor, representative for Mr Fleming Norton, is in Napier making arrangements for the appearance of the latter at the Theatre Boyal next week. Mr Norton has been doing a good business down South, and on Tuesday night appeared in Wellington under the patronage of his Excellency the Governor. Mr Norton's entertainment ia something after that given by the celebrated M'Cabe. Press notices speak very favorably of Mr Norton's rapid changes and clever impersonations. Both companies of Volunteers paraded for inspection last evening, in Browningstreet, Captain Garner in command. There was a good muster, over 90 of all ranks parading. The men were put through battalion drill by the drill-in-structor, and afterwards marched to the Town Hall, where the prizes won at the late rifle contest were to be presented. After the presentation (reported elsewhere) the men were put through further evolutions before dismissal. During the parade Bombardiers Oarnell and Williams were promoted to the rank of acting corporals, subject to their passing the necessary examination. Mr G. A. Preece, E.M., yesterday delivered judgment in the case of Ashton v. Drake, heard the preceding day, and reported in our yesterday's issue. The following is the substance of the judgment:— On the question as to whether the defendant was drunk or sober when he gave the 1.0. U., the Court held that he had not at that time sufficiently recovered 1 from intoxication to transact business. On the second point, as to whether defendant had'af terwards ratified the 1.0. U. by offers to settle the claim, it was held that the weight of evidence was in favor of the plaintiff. The judgment concluded as follows : — "The plaintiff does not appear to have gained in any way by lending the money, as he had already let the theatre, and it is not shown that there was any doubt of his getting his rent. But the Court, in order to express its disapproval of money being given to persons who are not capable of transacting business, even if it is afterwards ratified, will in this case exercise its discretion in absolutely refusing any costs whatever. Judgment will be for the plaintiff for £25 25." The annual general meeting of the Napier Football Club was held at the Criterion Hotel last evening, Mr H. F. Gibbons in the chair. There was a good attendance, some 30 members being present. The honorary secretary, Mr W. F. J. Anderson, read the annual report, which showed the club to be in a very satisfactory condition. The assets of the club, allowing for all claims, and including £19 7s 8d cash in hand, amounted to £58 Us Bd. The number of members for the past year was 59, as against 70 for the previous year, the decrease being attributed to the formation of another town club. Eleven matches had been played, including three cup matches for the splendid trophy presented by Mr Sheehan, which was won by the club. An inscription setting forth the names of the donor and of the winning team had been engraved upon the cup at the expense of the club, and it had been resolved that the present secretary, Mr W. F. J. Anderson, should hold the cup in perpetual trust for the club. The report referred to the propects of the coming football season as cheering, a number of first-class players being now in the district. The report was adopted. The election of office-bearers for the ensuing twelve months resulted as follows : — President, Mr J. D. Ormond, M.H.E. ; vice-president, Mr F. .Logan ; captain, Mr H. F. Gibbons ; deputyoaptain, Mr J. W. H. Wood ; honorary secretary and treasurer, Mr T. H. Hunter ; delegates to Rugby Union, Messrs J. T. E . Harrap, and J. W. H. Wood ; committee, Messrs F. Parker, F. Fulton, A. T. Kennedy, Harrap, and Anderson. During the "evening 22 new members were proposed and accepted, and it was decided to reduce the annual subscription to ss. The customary votes of thanks brought the proceedings to a close. After the inspection parade of the two Volunteer companies last evening, the men were marched to the Town Hall, to witness the presentation of prizes to the winners of matches at the late .Rifle Volunteer company's contest. His Worship the Mayor occupied the chair, and made a brief address. He referred to the fact that at a similar gathering two years since, he had predicted the likelihood of the time coming when the services of men trained to the use of the rifle would be of great value. That time appeared to have oome now, or to be within measurable distance, events transpiring in Europe pointing to the danger of war between England and Russia. The difference between firing at an ordinary target, and at one that could shoot back in return, was humorously diluted upon, and those present were urged not to rest satisfied with anything short of a complete mastery of effective rifle shooting. Mrs W. I. Spencer then presented the prizes to the winners. At the conclusion of tlie proceedings, votes of thanks to the donors of the prizes, and to the Mayor and Mrs j Spencer, were unanimously passed, and Mr H. Eenouf, donor of the rifle belt, was elected an honorary member of the company. The following is a list of prizes and recipients : — First prize, handsome clock presented by Captain Blythe, Corporal Langhan ; 2nd, gilt clock under shade presented by the non-commissioned officers, Private Crossman; 3rd, silver mounted biscuit box presented by Lieutenants King and Duncan, Private Harpham ; * 4th, a cake basket presented by the company, Sergeant Frame ; sth, opera glasses presented by Messrs Sargood and Co., Private Cantle ; 6th, shot bag and gun cover presented by Mr M'Vay, Corporal Tait ; Ith, field-glass presented by Corporal Tait, Corporal Nicholson; Bfch, gentlemen's dressing-case presented by Mr Close, Private Wilson ; 9th, one dozen photographic views presented by Mr Carnell, Color-Sergeant Chicken; 10th, one dozen handkerchiefs presented by Mr Cato, Private Hendry ; 11th, meerschaum pipe presented by Mr Hooper, Private Carter ; silver-mounted belt and a medal presented by Messrs H. Renouf and L. Bedward respectively to Hie scorer of the highest aggregate, Corporal Langhan. Marksmen's badges were also presented to Color-Sergeant Chicken, Sergeant Frame, and Private Crossman, for classfiring. A gentleman who has lately passed through the Manawatu Gorge informs the New Zealand Times that the survey of the line, which will be about four and half miles in length, ha 3 been completed, and that the surveyors are now busily preparing the plans. The Times says : — " There will be two tunnels, one of about 30, and the other 10 chains in length. The cutting will be somewhat similar to the Rimutaka, but as tho Manawatu river flows underneath the Gorge line, there will be no difficulty whatever in getting rid of the debris ; consequently, the contract is likely to be taken at a much cheaper rate. Contractors and other experts in such works state that the

line will not, in all probability, cost more- v than £10,000 to £12,000 per mile. The ; , plans are likely to be completed in a' few „ . weeks. The remainder of the surveys . between Woodville and the Napier section are also finished. The Tamaki section of the Napier- Woodville line will stop a"t Harding'a-road, about two or three miles » at the other side of Woodville. It fs A td be hoped that the works necessary f<u| . the connection of the lines will be pushea on with all possible speed. When the Gorge line is constructed, excursionists will have a sight worth looking at. The scenery is some of the most beautiful in New Zealand."