British Whig (Kingston, ON), 19 Dec 1877

p.2 Strike On the Lachine -

UNDERWRITERS' MEETING

The effort to bring about a meeting of the marine underwriters in likely to prove a success. All the companies will no doubt participate in the proceedings. A healthful state of the lake companies cannot be induced, unless the underwriters join in regulating their own business and placing it upon a firm basis. The way for the underwriters to make money is to save losses. It makes no difference whether the tariff is high or low, insurers should first see to the safety of their risks. Without a proper inspection of vessels, the hazards of underwriting become desperate. The owners of vessels out of condition suffer some loss, though the chief falls upon the poor, unfortunate company whose agent knew not what he was doing when he "gave away" his confiding principal. Of late intelligent shipowners have come to realize that a thorough inspection and fair classification of vessels in the future will be healthy and profitable for the trade. The ship owners' meeting last summer brought out this opinion in strong relief. The new inspection system of 1876, hitherto not enforced by the underwriters, was approved and endorsed by all who examined its strict, uniform, well considered rules. There ought to be no difficulty whatever in the underwriters adopting this excellent system of inspection, and agreeing to put it in force next season. If the meeting should disagree on every other question, and accomplish no more than the establishment of a good system of vessel inspection, it would be time and money well spent. [Inter-Ocean]

p.3 The Harbour - last year steamer made last trip on twentieth, this year it will be later.

W.W. - The attempt of one McCorkey, to get damages from the Canadian Navigation Co. for a trunk and contents lost in the burning of the str. Kingston in 1872 has resulted in the Court of Appeals confirming the decision of the lower court against the Company.