WEATHER INSURANCE

Taranaki Daily News, 10 June 1932, Page 3

WEATHER INSURANCE

CLERGYMAN’S ADOPTION.

APPLICATION TO OFFERTORY.

Sydney, May 25.

A clergyman in one of the Victorian rural parishes has adopted a novel method of providing against the proverbial rainy day. He insures his Sunday collections against rain. Country shows throughout Australia are frequently insured against' rain. This system of insurance against possible loss is also popular with some qi the churches in respect to fetes and similar church functions, but the Victorian case is the first recorded instance in Australia of its application to the offertory. If 10 points of rain fall between 8 a.m. and midday on a Sunday the insurance company will have to pay the clergyman £5. The clergyman on his part has to pay the company 7s 6d a week for this form of insurance whether it is wet or dry on the Sabbath. The scheme has not been in force long enough to determine whether or not it has safeguarded the collection, but if no rain falls on Sundays * between the hours specified during the period of 13 weeks, then the sum insured for will have been spent in premiums. On the other hand,, much to his rejoicing, no doubt, the clergyman may have a packed, congregation when service starts at II a.m., and, with a sudden thunderstorm, there may be a deluge only half an hour later, in which case the minister will make two collections —one from the congregation, and the other, and possibly larger one, from the insurance company. How the parish views its minister’s gamble with the elements is not stated. Apparently, it does not mind, since it may be for the material good of the church and its activities.