NEW ZEALAND INSURANCE COMPANIES.

Colonist, Volume L, Issue 12162, 10 February 1908, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND INSURANCE COMPANIES.

Auckland, February 9. The general manager of the South British Insurance office hero in an interview stated thnt New Zealand has neror bbc, a i-.-uiitable field for insurance companies. In 1904, 1905, and I90(i they mado losses amounting to £112,876: for 1907 he believed the losses would total £500,000 and this year hart started badly, as the Timaru ancl Christchurch fires would cost the companies fully £300,000. If there was no improvement in the rates, and conditiona did not alter for the better, he would not be surprised to see a number of the companies consider the question of withdrawing altogether froir. the Dominion. He said the Pire Brigades legislation had increased the companies' burdens nearly ten per cent.