FIRE INSURANCE PREMIUMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12027, 25 July 1902, Page 5

FIRE INSURANCE PREMIUMS.

REDUCTION SUGGESTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL.

At) last night's meeting of the Auckland City Council, a letter was read from' Messrs. Shand, Mason, and Co., intimating that tho Council's fire escape had been shipped by the yWakanui, due to leave London on May 25, and the steam fire engine would follow on the Tomoana, leaving about July 4.

Mr. T. T. Masefield said it was time tho Council took some steps to get a reduction in insurance premiums. lie said tho only excuse the insurance companies had for the recant advance in rates was that there was no plant in the city to cope with fires. The Council now had that plant, and he thought they should make some representation to the insurance companies. He moved, That the matter be referred to the Legal Committee, with a view to the insurance companies being approached." Mr. J. Court seconded, stating that the insurance rates were now very Bard on small shopkeepers.. v . ■ Mr. J. H. Human supported, stating that if the Council failed to get a reduction from the insurance companies they should support the Government Fire Insurance Bill. . The Mayor pointed out that the firo appliances are not yet so good as they will bo in the course of a few months. He had, however, no objection to the motion, as some delay > would he certain to take place in approaching the insurance companies. Mr. J. Patterson thought if the premiums did not come down the City Council should itself start insurance business.

Mr. A. Rossor said if' they failed with the insurance companies lis thought the Council should endeavour to force the hands of the Government to pass the State Fire Insurance Bill. The insurance companies would be ..the. first to benefit by the efficiency of Hie firs brigade,.and ho thought they should give. the insurers some benefit. The motion was adopted. ;