PIG-INSURANCE. 299 



insurers would have had to " wind up " ; but the pigs 

 were considerate and kept healthy, so as to give the 

 society a chance of existence and continuance. In 

 the meantime, and pending the possible illness and 

 death of a pig, the idea of the club took on. The news 

 of it travelled rapidly, not only around the village of 

 Woodford, but to adjoining parishes, and in a very 

 short time ninety labourers had enrolled themselves 

 members, and all had paid their entrance fees and 

 advanced a month's subscriptions, and ere long the 

 society was placed upon a sure foundation and able 

 to meet its obligations. The " rules " formulated are 

 interesting. It was discreetly arranged that no member 

 could claim for loss of a pig until he had been insured 

 for three months. The committee of management, 

 including the secretary, was to consist of seven persons, 

 and these were to be appointed in turn as they stood 

 upon the books of the society. Proper precaution was 

 taken against any unfair claim. Directly any pig 

 was taken "ill" it was ruled that the owner should give 

 " notice " to one of the committee, who would there- 

 upon " visit " the invalid animal, and endeavour, in 

 the interests of the society generally, to ascertain 

 whether the illness had been occasioned by any neglect 

 of the owner. The report of the visiting member would 

 then be referred to the committee, and possibly in the 

 case of difference of opinion to the whole society in 

 council assembled ; and then decision would be made 

 as to compensation, which would, however, not be less 

 than one-half the agreed value of the animal. A valuer 

 was appointed by the society, and was paid the sum of 

 one shilling for each pig valued. Upon his valuation 

 the committee would pay, giving the owner of the pig 

 an order for payment. The society's " rule seven " 

 is interesting and informing. It runs : 



" If any member shall have a valuable pig ill, not likely to 

 live, the Committee are empowered to have the same killed, 



