I906.] CO-OPKRATIVE INSURANCE AGAINST FlRE. 



return, he cried, " If what this book says is right I have got 

 sheep scab in my flock," and as a consequence reported the case 

 to the police when he got home, with the result that his 

 suspicions were verified. 



The sectional volumes of leaflets Vvere first issued in 

 September, and by the end of the year 1905, some 24,000 had 

 been distributed. 



An interesting example of the application of co-operative 

 methods to insurance against fire is afforded by the St. Columb 

 District Mutual Fire Assurance Company, 



^Insurance ^ ^^^^^ ^" existence since 1865. 



agrainst Fire. business has been confined to the in- 



surance against fire of agricultural risks 

 only, and the operations of the Company have been limited to 

 the area comprised in the sixteen parishes of the St Columb 

 Major Union, with the result that in January, 1902, no less a sum 

 than ;f2 36,000 was rated for contribution. The losses are paid by 

 an assessment on the members in proportion to the sums insured, 

 subject to adjustment in the case of certain risks. 



Duiing the period of thirty-eight years from 1865 to 1903, 

 the members have been called upon for a total contribution of 

 14s. 6d. per cent, on the amounts at which they have been 

 respectively rated for contribution. This is an average of a 

 little over 4jd. per cent, per annum during the whole period. 

 The calls are exclusive of entrance fees, which every member is 

 called upon to pay upon joining the Company. Up to 1885 the 

 entrance fee was is. per cent., but since that date it has been 

 23. 6d. per cent. These payments have been sufficient to cover 

 losses incurred as v/ell as to pay the office and other expenses 

 of administration. 



Much of the success of the Company is attributable to the fact 

 that care is taken in the acceptance of the risks and that 

 proposers are not permitted to become members indiscriminately, 

 but are required to be properly recommended before they are 

 admitted. 



The Company appoints in the various parishes inspectors who 

 are acquainted with the property insured. This local knowledge 



