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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Taranaki, Hawke's Bay & Wellington Provincial Districts]
The State Fire Insurance Department
The State Fire Insurance Department came into being in January, 1904, as the outcome of an Act passed by the Government in the previous year. Under the terms of this Act the Colonial Treasurer is empowered to raise such sums of money as may be required. A special feature of the State Fire Office is that at the end of every three years the net profits are to be divided—one half going towards a reserve fund, and the other half to be distributed, pro rata, among the insurers. The office of the State Fire Insurance Department in Napier is under the charge of Mr. Claud Cato.