REPORT OF THE ,SUPERINTENDENT.   liii

guard,no insurance on her life was effected. The attempt to insure Mrs. Hyams was a most stupid one. The two Hyams were well known to have no means. They had figured unsuccessfully as brokers and were being continually pressed for money. The fact, therefore that they proposed to insure the wife of Harry for so large an amount at a time when it is stated that they were unable to raise sufficient money to pay their office rent, caused a prompt rejection by the companies of the applications. But the attention drawn to them by this attempt, and failure to insure Mrs. Hymns, caused the circumstances at-tending Wells's death to be again inquired into, the result being the trial of the two brothers on the charge of murder. They were twice tried, the evidence being wholly circumstantial. On the first trial, which took place in May, 1895, and occupied four-teen days, presided over by Mr. Justice Street, the jury disagreed. At this trial Mrs. Hyams, sister of the deceased, gave evidence for the Crown. The second trial which took place in November, 1895, presided over by Mr. Justice Ferguson, and which lasted twenty-three days resulted in a verdict of " Not Guilty." At the second trial Mrs. Hyams was not a witness. Both trials took place at Toronto. At both trials the Crown tendered evidence of the attempt of the accused to place the insurance upon the life of Mrs. Hyams, which is referred to above, and such evidence was on both occasions rejected.

(d.) The Hammond or Tough case.

In July next at Bracebridge, Ontario, William Hammond will be put on trial for the murder of his wife, Kate Tough Hammond, the alleged motive being $4,000 insurance on her life.

The inflicting of the death penalty in the Hendershott Case, and the imposition of the maximum punishment of seven years in the Provincial Penitentiary, in the Alger case, should have a deterrent effect upon those dangerous members of society who enter_ thin fraudulent intentions towards any section of the community, and it is to be sincerely hoped that Canada will never again be disgraced with so large a crop of criminals as have been recently attempting to prey upon the Insurance Companies.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your obedient servant,

W. FITZGER ALD,

Superintendent of Insurance