GOVERNMENT INSURANCE DEPARTMENT (IN EXPLANATION RE MR MAUNDERS' LETTER.)

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1286, 25 September 1880, Page 3

GOVERNMENT INSURANCE DEPARTMENT (IN EXPLANATION RE MR MAUNDERS' LETTER.)

TO THE EDITOR. Sib,— Will you be good enough to grant me permission to reply to si letter in your of Last Thursday signed "N. T. Maunders," charging the Government Insurance Department with negligence and laxity in paying the claims made upon it by the representatives of deceased policy holders. In the illustration given bv the writer, I presume he refers to the case of the late Mr Chester, of Alexandra. Now, had Mr Maunder taken the same trouble to get the necessary forms required before payment of the claim could be made (and I may here state that there are no more forms required by the Go'/ernraent Office than by similar institutions) that he has taken to disparage an admittedly beneficial institution, the claim of his friend might have been expedited, and he would not have laid himself open to the charge of misrepresentation, which I have no doubt was unintentional. On making enquiries as to the cause of the delay in payment of this claim, I find the first intimation the Commissioner received respecting it was a medical certificate of death (received 3rd of April) under blank cover. The Commissioner wrote to the Postmaster, Alexandra, 9th April, enclosing printed instructions to claimant, uruixg expedition. Insufficient proof was forwarded to Head Office on 9th July. The Commissioner wrote again, three days after, on the 12th, for remaining proofs, thereby showing his promptitude and anxiety to have these claims paid as soon as possible. No further proofs were, nor could be forwarded until about a week ago, when I understand the certificate of marriage, without which the claimant could not be legally recognised, was presented to the local Postmaster to be forwatded to Wellington. Now, according to Mr Maunders own showing, the policy only became a claim six months ago, and as the claimant had to send to England for copy of her marriage certificate, I would be glad if he would explain to the public how the claim could be paid sooner, seeing it takes from four to five months to get a reply from home. Allow me to state in conclusion, that the Government Insurance Department always pays claims directly satisfactory proof is furnished, whilst many offices delay payment three or more months after such proof has been received. — I am, Sir, &c, T. F. McDonogh, Chief Agent.

He came into the editor's room with a large roll of manuscript under his arm, and said very politely : "I have a trifle here about the beautiful sunset yesterday, which was dashed off by a friend of mine, which I wonld like inserted if you have room." " Plenty of room " Just insert it yourself," replied the editor, gently puahiag the waste ba^t towards him.

The Japanese are at present paying great attention to sheep breeding. The Austrian Quarterly Oriental Review atates that the anniversary of the natal day of the thousandth sheep born in Jan an has just been celebrated there with much festivity by its owner, an American named Jones, many high dignitaries and notabilities being present on the occasion. Sheep were first introduced into Japan by Mr. Jones only a few years ago, and he now holds a flock of more thsm 4000, most of which are of Mangolian breed. The fact (says the Ecviciv) that vast_ tracts of land still remain uncultivated in the insular empire renders sheep-farming a far more remunerative undertaking than might be supposed, though the domestication of the animal in its new home has been accomplished under very great difficulties, owing the climate of Japan differing so widely from that of most countries where the aheep is indigenous. An old lady wants to know what good the new French cable is going to do those who don't understand French.