General Cattle Mutual Insurance Fund. 465 



whole country by the discussions in both Houses of Parliament 

 and in the newspapers. 



Immediately upon the passing of the Act, the Postmaster- 

 General will by advertisement call upon all owners of stock to 

 send their names and addresses to the nearest post-office, where 

 they would be thrown into a list to be completed by further 

 inquiry. 



The Postmaster-General will then send a circular form to all 

 owners,* with the request that they will give a complete list of 

 cattle in their sheds or on the grounds in their occupation : 

 distinguishing breeds and ages of bulls, oxen, steers, cows, and 

 heifers, with their estimate of their respective value on that day. 

 Where owners neglect to fill up the forms or to pay the pre- 

 miums, they must pay the extra expense incurred. Small owners 

 would be missed in large number ; but the omission would be 

 on their part, and they would get no compensation for losses unless 

 they were insured. In the end they would come in to secure the 

 advantages, which would be greater to them than to larger owners. 



After verification by a qualified officer, the list of cattle to be 

 insured would be returned to the owner for his inspection : he 

 would then certify to its accuracy [in the presence of a magis- 

 trate or public officer ?], return it, and give notice of his having 

 sent the stipulated amount (say 25. a head) of premium to the 

 appointed office. Beasts sick at the date of contract, either to 

 be excluded, or to be charged additional premiums. 



Upon paying the premium, the owner would get a policy 

 entitling him to a specific sura for every head of insured cattle 

 that dies before the next instalment of his premium becomes 

 due ; the insurance to be renewed periodically upon the payment 

 of the premiums to be fixed by the administrating office : of 

 which public announcement would be made through the usual 

 channels. 



Immediate notice, under penalty, to be given of the attack 

 of any cattle, insured or not, by any serious disease ; and, if it 

 were deemed necessary, arrangements would be made for in- 

 spection by the existing inspectors, or others specially appointed. 



The claims for death to be sent in immediately, certified by 

 the owner and two co-insurers, or by two other satisfactory 

 referees. The body to be open to inspection upon this being 

 required by the office. The sum insured to be paid within one 

 month of the proof of death. Arrangements to be made for the 

 compensation of owners whose cattle were killed by public order 

 or with the written sanction of the authorities or their inspectors. 



* The person in -nhose legal custody the cattle are, to be considered the owner. 

 Cattle grazing on other men's grounds to be specially dealt with. 



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