Thursday, 4th January, 1866. THOMAS CHAPMAN, Esq., F.R.S., r.P., in the Chair.

Read and approved the Minutes of the previous Meeting, and those of the Finance and Correspondence, and Wreck and Reward Sub-Committees.

Read letter from General KNOLLYS, of the 1st January, expressing the satisfaction of H.R.H.

THE PRINCE OP WALES, on learning that the Albert Edward life-boat, stationed at Padstow, had been the means of saving 17 persons from the barque Juliet, of Greenock, on the 2!)th Dec. last.

Reported that the Lords Commissioners" of the Admiralty had decided that the Quarterly Journal of the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION was to be issued with the newspapers to each of H. M. ships of the line, and that Mr. BALLANTYNE'S work on the life-boat should be added to the ships' libraries.

Read and approved the Report of Capt. WARD, R.N., Inspector of Life-boats to the Institution, on his visits to Pontefract, Goole, Manchester, Holyhead, Liverpool, and Courtown.

Reported the receipt of a contribution of 582Z.

from Miss M. WASEY, to defray the expense of the life-boat station established by the Institution at Worthing, Sussex. She wished the boat to be named the Jane.— To be thanked.

Reported also the receipt of 231. 2s., being an additional collection for the Society by W. N. RUDGE, Esq., of the Stock Exchange. Also 45/., the amount of a legacy to the Society by the late Mrs. BETTY COLES, of Tunbridge Wells. Also 3031. 14s. 4d. from the Glasgow Branch, per Capt.

SMALL. Also 1I I . 6s., a collection after two special services at Ince Church, per Rev. R. C. SHARPE.

— To be severally thanked.

Read letter from J. MACGREGOR, Esq., of the Temple, of the 7th. Jan., stating that he had written and published an account of a canoe voyage he had made,* and adding that he intended to appropriate the author's profits to the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION and the Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners' Royal Benevolent Society.— To be thanked.

[Every one must read this little book with extreme interest. It possesses the rare merit of displaying familiar districts of Europe from an entirely new point of view: it is written in a lively, unaffected style, so that one thoroughly sympathizes with the hero of the tale, and it is profusely illustrated with a number of spirited and occasionally very humorous woodcuts, displaying the skipper and his craft in all sorts of places and positions. Sometimes the Bob Soy is in a cart, drawn by a sleepy milch-cow; sometimes she is being borne by hand through a town, attended by a noisy, good-humoured Swiss crowd; sometimes she is penetrating a weir, under the gaze of a score of critical Frenchmen; sometimes a waggon-load of festival-bound Swabian peasants are shouting their congratulations as she darts under a bridge; sometimes she is perched perilously on top of a rapid; sometimes a mighty wave conceals everything from view except her prow and stern and her worthy skipper's straw hat.

* A Thousand Milts in the Sob Roy Canoe on Rivers and Lakes of Europe. By J. Macgregor, M.A. London, Sampson Low, Son, and Marston.

We need hardly commend the book to boating men; most of them, probably, have already studied its contents, and hung fondly over the exciting passages which tell how rapids were shot and other hindrances overcome. In an appendix, Mr. Macgregor supplies a compendious collection of facts for the intending canoeist, pointing out with much candour (for he confesses himself in love with her pretty brown face), the minutiae in which his darling craft fell short of absolute perfection. We cannot refrain from saying, in conclusion, that we hope all future tourists who may determine to paddle their own canoe, will imitate Mr. MACGREGOR'S courteous and good-humoured bearing. Such conduct is sure to be richly repaid. Once only, during his thousand miles of cruising, did he meet with the slightest discourtesy ; and although he often claimed hospitality under circumstances which in England might appear unceremonious, he never met with a rebuff.] Reported that musical entertainments had been given in Edinburgh and Exeter, in aid of the funds of the Institution, organized by the Hon.

Secretaries of the Branches of the Society at those places.— To be thanked.

Rear-Admiral W. H. HALL, C.B., reported to the Committee that the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company had ordered of the maker 35 chests of seamen's life-belts, each chest containing 12 belts, and 16 chests containing 6 belts each, for use on board their steamers.

[The life-belt in question is the one introduced by the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, for use on board merchant-ships, and was fully described and illustrated in the Number of the Life-boat Journal for July, 1865, page 709.] Reported the transmission of the Arbroath and Tynemouth, No. 2, life-boats to their stations, the several Railway Companies giving them a free conveyance over their lines.— To be thanked.

. The Arbroath life-boat was publicly exhibited at Dundee, on the way to her station, and a grand demonstration also took place at Arbroath, on the occasion of the first launch of the boat.

The Tynemouth, No. 2, life-boat, was likewise exhibited at Pontefract and Goole, and a public inauguration of the boat took place on her arrival at her destination.

Reported also that satisfactory trials had taken place in rough weather with the life-boats of the Institution, stationed at Aberdovey, Shoreham, and North Berwick.

Read letters from the Rev. P. VYVYAN ROBINSON, Hon. Secretary of the Lizard Branch, detailing a most lamentable accident that had occurred to the Lizard six-oared life-boat, on the occasion of her quarterly exercise during a hurricane on the previous day. Unhappily, three out of ten of her noble crew, viz., PETER MITCHELL, the coxswain, RICHARD HARRIS, and NICHOLAS STEVENS, perished on the occasion. The boat was washed amongst the rocks and gradually knocked to pieces. The Hon. Secretary was in the boat when she capsized.

The Committee expressed their deep regret at this sad accident, and voted 130?. towards the local fund being raised in aid of the families of the deceased life-boat men, and also undertook to defray the funeral expenses of the drowned men. They also granted a reward of II. each to the life-boat crew, being a four-fold exercise payment, and ordered another life-boat to be sent forthwith to the Lizard to replace the damaged boat.

Ordered the following circular, on the subject of spare oars being carried in life-boats, to be distributed amongst the Branches of the Institution: — " ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION.

" John Street, Adelphi, " London, W.C., 6th January, 1866.

" DEAR SIR, " In consequence of the frequent breaking of oars in the life-boats, the Committee wish to direct the attention of the coxswains of all the boats belonging to this Institution, to the importance of a sufficient number of spare oars being always carried in their boats, whenever afloat, either on Service or for the Quarterly Exercise.

"Not less than four spare oars should be carried in the double-banked boats, nor less than three in the single-banked ones; and they should be lashed to the thwarts or central batten, so that they cannot be washed overboard, or be lost in the event of a boat being upset, "lam, &c., " RICHARD LEWIS, " Secretary.

" To the Honorary Secretary." Decided that the Thanks of the Institution, inscribed on Vellum, accompanied by a model life-boat, be presented to Capt. ANDREW SMALL, of the Examiner's Office, Custom House, Glasgow, in acknowledgment of his long and valuable cooperation with the Society in Glasgow. He had collected last year alone 2937. 11s. in annual subscriptions, and 437. 12s. 3 7. in donations for the Institution; and altogether he had collected upwards of 15001. for" it, in conjunction with A. A. RANKEN, Esq. and other friends in Glasgow.

It was moved, seconded, and carried unanimously, that the best thanks of the Committee be given to THOMAS CHAPMAN, Esq., l'.R.S., V.P., for his able conduct in the Chair during the past year, and for the continued important assistance he rendered to the Society.

Also to Sir EDWARD PERROTT, Bart., F.P., for his zealous and valuable co-operation, as the Chairman of the Sub-Committees of the Institution in the same period.

Paid 21137. 6s. 3 i. for sundry charges on various .life-boat establishments.

Voted 1347. 10». to pay the expenses of the under-mentioned life-boats of the Institution, for going off during heavy gales of wind, and saving the crews, consisting of 87 persons, from the following wrecked vessels:— Schooner Daniel O' Connell, of Arklow: 5 men saved by the Tyrella (Dundrum Bay) life-boat.

Steam-ship Barbadian, of Liverpool: 4 men saved by the Wexford life-boat.

Brig Lucy, of Sunderland: 6 men saved by the Caister life-boat.

Schooner Wilhelmina, of Veesdam: 1 man rescued by the Peterhead life-boat, Ship Tenessarian, of Liverpool: 34 men saved by the Arklow life-boat.

Brigantine Neptune, of Delaware, U.S.: 9 men saved by the Newbiggin life-boat.

Schooner Tarn Cringle, of Thurso, N.B.: 4 men rescued by the Hauxley life-boat.

Barque Juliet, of Greenock, 17 men saved by the Padstow life-boat.

Smack Dieu Protege Alexandrie et Leon, of Dieppe, 7 men saved by the Dungeness life-boat.

It was also reported that the Ramsgate lifeboat had been the means of rescuing the crews of 7 men of the Dutch brig Zeeploea, of Hoogez, and 16 men from the barque Norma, of Bremen.

The particulars of these various life-boat services will be found detailed in the Annual Report of the Institution, published in April last.

Voted also 907. 3s. 4d. to pay the expenses of various life-boats of the Institution in going off in reply to signals of distress from vessels which did not, however, ultimately require the assistance of the boats.

Voted the Silver Medal of the Institution and a copy of its Vote on Parchment to PETER KAVANNAGH, coxswain of the Arklow life-boat, in admiration of his general gallant services in that life-boat, and particularly of his meritorious conduct in assisting to rescue 34 men belonging to the ship Tenessarian, of Liverpool, which was wrecked on the Blackwater Bank, during a heavy gale of wind, on the 25th Dec. last.

Also the Silver Medal of the Institution to Mr. WM. HILL, coxswain of the Padstow life-boat, in admiration of his general gallant services in.

that boat, and particularly of his highly meritorious conduct in aiding to save the crew of 17 men from the barque Juliet, of Greenock, which was wrecked off Padstow during a strong gale of wind from W.S.W., on the 29th Dec. last.

Also the Third Service Clasp of the Institution to Mr. DANIEL SHEA, Chief Officer of the Coastguard, in admiration of his gallant conduct in the Padstow life-boat, on the above-mentioned occasion.

Also a reward of 107. to the crew of the Kessingland life-boat, for going off and saving 5 out of 7 of the crew of the schooner Centaur, of Exeter, which was wrecked on the Newcome Sands, off Lowestof t, during a strong wind from the S.'W., on the 26 th Oct. last.

Also 41. to 4 men for going off in a shore-boat and saving at considerable risk of life, the crew of 3 men from the cutter Primrose, of Aberystwith, which was wrecked on Pendine Sands, South Wales, during a strong gale of wind from S.W.

on the 29th Oct. last.

Also 27. to the crew of a shore-boat for putting off and rescuing 7 men from the fishing-lugger Neptune, of Arklow, which was wrecked off that place during squally weather, on the 26th Nov. last.

Also 61. to the master and crew of the steam-tug Napoleon, of Plymouth, for assisting, in conjunction with the life-boat at that place, in saving the crew of 11 men from the brig Commerzieweathin JTaupt, of Mecklenburg, which was wrecked in Plymouth Sound during a heavy gale of wind, on the 2nd Dec. last.

Also 37. 10s. to a boat's crew of 7 men for rescuing 3 others from a fishing-smack, which was swamped in Castlemaine Bay, Co. Kerry, during squally weather, on the 10th Oct. last.

_Also the thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum, and 11. to Mr.W. SIMPSON, Chief Boatman of the Coast-guard, and II. each to 4 other men, for putting off in a Coast-guard boat with the view of saving the crew of the schooner Pet, of Bristol, which was in distress during stormy weather off Carnbeak, near Bude Haven, on the 23rd Nov. last.

Thursday, 1st Feb. THOMAS CHAPMAN, Esq., F.R.S., V.P., in the Chair.

Read and approved the Minutes of the previous Meeting, and those of the Finance and Correspondence, and Wreck and Reward Sub-Committees.

Read and approved the Report of the Inspector of Life-boats of the 29th Jan., on his visit to the following places:—Bridlington, "W hitby, TJpgang, Runswick, Staithes, Tynemouth, Cullercoats, Teignmouth, Brixham, Torquay, and Worthing.

Also the Report of Capt. D. ROBERTSON, R.N., Assistant-Inspector of Life-boats, of the 17th Jan., on his visits to the life-boat stations of the Institution at Arbroath, Dundee, Girvan, Whitby, Hauxley, and Newbiggin.

Read letter from BLOOMFIELD DOUGLAS, Esq., President of the Marine Board at Port Adelaide, South Australia, of the 27th Nov., 1865, reporting on the condition of their life-boat and rocket stations, and making inquiries as to small rockets for use in their boats. They had built a lifeboat on the plan of the Institution, but with some additions, and offered to furnish a drawing of the boat.— To be acknowledged, and the drawing accepted with thanks.

Also from the Secretary of the Bombay Harbour and Pilotage Board, of the 23rd Dec., thanking the Committee for undertaking to superintend the construction of a life-boat for Bombay.

Also from the Misses MEYNELL INGRAM, of the 22nd Jan., forwarding a contribution of 5001. for the cost of the life-boat station at Ballywalter, Co. Down. The boat was to be named the Henry.— To be thanked.

Reported also the receipt of 1001., being the amount of a legacy to the Institution by the late Capt. JOHN SYKES, R.N.—Messrs. STII.WELD, the Executors, to be thanked.

Also 27/. Is. 6rf., being half of a collection made after a sermon by the Rev. W. HUNT, in Holy Trinity Church,Weston-super-Mare; 26/. 16». I0d., collected by Rev. Canon HOPKINS, of Wisbeach, including proceeds of collection after sermon by him; I I I . 5s., collection after sermon by Rev.

J. S. HUDDACH, Trinity Church, Woolwich; 51. 16s., moiety of collection after sermon by Rev.

BRYMER BELCHER, St. Gabriel's, Pimlico; 8/., collection after sermon by Rev. E. MILLER, in Brook Street Chapel, Tavistock, on the loss of steam ship London; 51., collection after sermon by Rev. W. F. BICKMORE, in Kenilworth Church ; 2ti/. 5s. from the Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors; and 10«., collected by "Little Jamie."—To be severally thanked.

Read letter from Major O'BRIEN of the 54th Regiment, of the 22nd Jan., transmitting a plan of a life-boat designed by him to be propelled by pulling a rope. — To be acknowledged.

Decided that the Thanks of the Institution, inscribed on Vellum, be presented to FRANCIS GEARY GABDSER, Esq., in acknowledgment of his kind and valuable co-operation, under the instructions of the Commissioners of Her Majesty's Customs, in forwarding the objects of the Institution.

Ordered life-boat houses to be built at Hayle and Ballywalter. * Paid 3,46H. 7s. for sundry charges on various life-boat establishments.

Voted the Silver Medal of the Institution and a copy of its Vote on Parchment to THOMAS CARBIS, coxswain of the Penzance life-boat, and 32/. 6s.

to pay the expenses of that boat and the St. Ives life-boat, in putting off and saving the crew oi 9 men from the steam-ship Jiessie, of Hayle, which was wrecked during a heavy gale of wind from the N.E. on the bar of that place, on the llth January.

This was a very meritorious service. The long struggle of- both life-boats' crews to reach th wreck, and their coolness and judgment in the actual rescue were beyond all praise. It is believec that every soul on board the ill-fated ship rnusi have perished in the absence of the life-boats.

Also 20/. 19s. Id. to pay the expenses of the Teignmouth life-boat, in putting off and rescuing 11 men from the barque Jessie, of London, whic_ was wrecked during a strong gale of wind from the N.E. at Torbay, on the llth January.

Also 12/. to pay the expenses of the Whitburn life-boat, in going off and rescuing one of the crew of the barque Vietoritie, of Ostend, which wa stranded off Souter Point, near Whitburn, during a strong wind and heavy sea, on the 13th January Also 117. to pay the expenses of the Yarmouth mall-surf life-boat, in putting off and saving the crew of 8 men from the brig Thoughtful, of Sunderland, which was wrecked on Yarmouth Beach, during a heavy gale of wind, on the llth January.

Also 45/. to pay the expenses of the Yarmouth and Caister life-boats, in going off to the schooner George, of Goole, which had struck on the Scroby auds, during stormy weather, on the 20th January.

The Yarmouth large life-boat first reached: the vessel and took off the crew of 6 men and brought them safely ashore. The life-boat then proceeded off again, and found the vessel being towed into larbour by a steam-tug and the Caister lite-boat.

Also 251. to pay the expenses of the Caister lifeboat, in going off and bringing safely into port the wig Tartar, of Sunderland, and her crew of 5 men. The vessel had grounded on the Cockle Sand, on the Norfolk coast, during stormy weather, on the 19th January.

Also 38/. 10s. to pay the expenses of the Lowestoft life-boat and steam-tug, in going off twice and rescuing the crew of 7 men from the brig Osep, of Fiume, which was wrecked on the Holm Sand, on the Suffolk coast, during a very heavy »ale of wind, on the 13th January.

Also ll/. 15s. to pay the expenses of the Palling life-boat, in going off during a strong wind and rescuing the crew of 3 men from the schooner Laurel, of Goole, which was stranded on Palling Beach, on the llth January.

Also 8A Os. 6rf. to pay the expenses of the Kingsgate life-boat, in putting off and saving the crew of 7 men from the brigantine Fremad, of Bergen, which had gone on shore in Kingsgate Bay, during a strong gale of wind, on the llth January.

Also 61. 14s. to pay the expenses of the Dundee People's Journal Life-boat, No. 1, stationed at Peterhead, in putting off and rescuing the crew of 3 men from the schooner Slack Agnes, of South Shields, which was wrecked on the rocks off Peterhead, on the 13th January.

Also 197/. 7s. 9of. to pay the expenses of the lifeboats of the Institution at Palling, Penarth, Sunderland, New Quay (Cardigan), Rhoscolyn, Margate, Pakefield, Winchelsea, Bacton, Walmer, Rhyl, North Deal, Pembrey, Southwold, Peterhead, Cromer, and Skerries, in putting off, during the recent heavy gales, In reply to signals of distress from various vessels which, fortunately, however, succeeded in getting out of their dangerous positions, and did not require the services of the boats.

Decided that the Thanks of the Institution, inscribed on Vellum, be presented to Mr. R. F. ALDRICH, Chief Officer of Her Majesty's Coast-guard at Margate, in acknowledgment of his valuable services in the Margate life-boat on the 7th Jan., and of his general zealous co-operation in the management of that life-boat station.

Reported the services of the Ramsgate life-boat in going off in tow of the steam-tug Aid, and rescuing the crew, consisting of 6 men, from the schooner Zephyr, of Banff, which was wrecked on the north side of the Goodwin Sands, during a heavy gale of wind, on the 11th January.

Voted the Silver Medal of the Institution, a copy of its Vote on Parchment, and 21., to EVAN HUGHES, and also 21. each to 5 other men, in acknowledgment of their gallant services in putting off in a boat and rescuing, at considerable risk of life, the crew of 24 men from the ship Palinurus, of Liverpool, which was stranded off Cymyran, on the Anglesey coast, during a strong wind, on the 4th January.

Also 3/. 10s. to the crew of the smack Leander, of Deal, for putting off and rescuing the crew of 6 men from the brig Hope, of Sunderland, which was wrecked near Deal Castle during a gale of wind, on the 11th January.

Also 21. to the crew of a fishing-boat, of Southport, for saving 4 men from the sloop Tower, and the schooner Ben Vale, which were wrecked on Taylor's Bank, off Liverpool, during a gale of wind on the 13th January.

Also 57. to the crew of a fishing-yawl, for going off and rescuing the crew of 7 men from the brig West Kent, of Rochester, which was wrecked on the Cross Sand, off North Yarmouth, during a gale of wind, on the 14th January.