THURSDAY, 7th June, 1866. 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.

Reported that the Admiralty had ordered of the Institution 1,000 copies of the new edition of the pamphlet containing " Instructions on the Management of Open Boats in Heavy Surfs," &c., for circulation amongst the Coastguard Service.

The Commissioners of H.M.'s Customs had also ordered 600 copies of the pamphlet, and the Elder Brethren of the Trinity House 200 copies.

The little book had likewise been extensively circulated by the Institution amongst Training Ships, Steam-packet Companies, &c.—Approved.

Read and approved the Report of Capt. WARD, R.N., the Inspector of Life-boats to the Institution, on his visits to Looe, Brixham, Burnham, Newquay (Cardiganshire), and Aberystwith.

Also the Report of Capt. D. ROBERTSON, R.N., the Assistant-Inspector of Life-boats of the Society, on his visits to Leicester, Sheffield, Runswick, Upgang, Llandudno, Moelfre, and Penmon.

Reported the transmission of new life-boats for Runswick, Rosslare, and St. Ives (Cornwall) to their stations, the various Railway and Steam- i packet Companies readily taking them free of charge. The Runswick boat was publicly exhibited at Sheffield on the way to its destination.

— The Railway Companies to be thanked.

Reported the receipt of a sum of 1001. on account of the Life-boat Fund being raised in memory of the late G. V. BROOKE. Also 280?., from the Pontefract and Goole Life-boat Fund, per A. HALE, Esq.; also 38U. from the Edinbro' Working Men's Life-boat Fund, per R. M. BALJ.

ANTYNE, Esq.; also 280/. from the Civil Service Life-boat Fund, per JAMES A. Dow, Esq.

Produced an extract from the will of the late GEORGE SCOTT, Esq., of Warborougb, Oxford, in which he bequeathed 501. to the Institution.

Read letter from Mr. JOHN FRANCE, of Glossop, of the 14th May, stating that that Branch of the Ancient Order of Foresters had gone in procession to church on the preceding day, and that after the service a collection had been made in aid of the funds of the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, which amounted to 11. 3s.—To be thanked.

Reported that a Concert had been given at Sidmouth, on the 16th May, in aid of the funds of the Institution, when 41. 16s. was collected. It was suggested that 'the Society might send one of its barometers for the use of the seafaring inhabitants of Sidmouth.—Apprmed.

Read letters from the Bristol and Exeter, Somerset and Dorset, and South Devon and Cornwall Railway Companies, stating that they would allow Contribution Boxes of the Institution to be fixed at the principal stations on their lines.

— To be thanked.

Also from the Secretary of the Dutch Shipwreck Society, of the 10th May, thanking the Institution for its co-operation with that Society, and ordering a new life-boat, equipment, and transportingcarriage.

Reported that a Public Meeting in aid of the objects of the Institution had been held in Dublin, the EARL OF HOWTH occupying the Chair on the occasion. Mr. THOMAS EDMONDSON, a member i i of the Society of Friends, had also zealously and ably lectured on Life-boats, on different occasions, in the same city. A project was now on foot to raise the cost of a life-boat, to be named the City of Dublin.— To be thanked.

Decided that the best Thanks of the Institution, inscribed on Vellum, be presented to HENRY LINDSAY, Esq., Collector of H.M's. Customs, in acknowledgment of his zealous and valuable cooperation while acting as Honorary Secretary of the Maryport Branch of the Society.

Paid 2,445J. 16s. for sundry charges on various life-boat establishments.

Voted 211. 18s. Gd. to pay the expenses of the life-boats of the Institution at Exmouth, Lizard, Porthcawl, and Sennen Cove, in going off, during stormy weather, in reply to signals of distress from vessels which did not, however, ultimately require the services of the life-boats.

Also the Silver Medal of the Institution, a copy of its Vote on Parchment, and 21. to FRANCIS HAYDEN, and 41. to 3 other men, for going off in a small boat and, after several attempts, rescuing some of the crew of the Swedish brig Fahli Bare, of Sundswall, which was totally wrecked in Sandown Bay, Isle of Wight, during a heavy gale, on the 24th of March last.

Also 67.10s. to JOHN M'BRIERTY, commissioned boatman of the Coastguard, and his crew of 11 men, for putting off in a yawl, during a gale of wind from the S.E., to the assistance of the crew of 6 men of a similar boat which was in distress off Roughleg, Co. Sligo, on the 23rd March last.

Also 71. 10s. to the crew of the Kessingland life-boat, for going off, during a fresh gale of wind from the S S. W., to the rescue of 5 men from the schooner Beeswing, of Whitby, which hadgrounded on the south end of the Newcome Sands, on the 31st Dec. last.

Also 21. to a boat's crew, for saving 4 men from a fishing-boat which had been capsized off Duncannon Fort, during a fresh gale of wind, on the 16th April.

Also the Thanks of the Institution, inscribed on Vellum, to Dr. J. J. E. PORTER, of Godshill, Isle of Wight, in acknowledgment of his skilful and persevering services, in resuscitating, according to the Instructions of the Institution, a child who •was apparently dead from drowning, having been in the water at Shide, Isle of Wight, for several minutes, and who was only restored to life after one hour and forty minutes' unceasing exertions on the part of Dr. PORTER.

Thursday, 5th July. 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.

Also the Report of the Inspector of Life-boats on his visits during the previous month to Hasborough, Mundesley, Cromer, Sheringham, Hunstanton, Bridlington Quay, Tynemouth, Cullercoats, North Shields, and Cresswell.

Also the Report of the Assistant-Inspector on.

his visits to Holyhead, Cemlyn, Rhoscolyn, Llanddwyn, Porthdinllaen, Barmouth, Aberdovey, Aberystwith, Newquay, Cardigan, Fishguard, Tenby, Ferryside (Carmarthen Bay), Pembrey, Swansea, Porthcawl, Penarth, Aberthaw, and ! Barry.

| Reported that ROBERT BROADWATER, Esq., of | Hornsey Rise, and his friends had given 471/.

9s. lUd. to the Institution, to defray the cost of the [ Broadwater life-boat and transporting-carriage, on the 21st June, 1866, in commemoration of his fiftieth birthday. The event was celebrated at the Ship Tavern, Greenwich, on which occasion the boat, which had been rowed there, was witnessed by Mr. BROADWATER and his friends.

Also the receipt of 5001. from the Misses MEVNELL INGRAM, to defray the cost of the Ballywalter life-boat, which is named the Admiral Henry Meynell, after their deceased uncle.— To be thanked.

Also 00l. from the Bath Branch, per FRANCIS BEDWELL, Esq.— To be thanked.

Also 3J52. from the Wolverhampton Life-boat Fund, collected by Mr. Alderman J. LANGMAN, Mr. SAMUEL HAND, and other gentlemen. The boat was to be named after that town,'andstationed at the Mumbles, near Swansea.— To be thanked.

Produced extracts from wills, in which the following Legacies were bequeathed to the Institution :—The late RICHARD DALTON, Esq., of Wigton, Cumberland, 100Z.; the late JOHN GRAHAM GILBERT, Esq., of Torkhill, 100Z. free of duty; and the late JOHN BARNARD, Esq., of Walworth, 10/.

Keported that the London and South Western, London, Brighton, and South Coast, and Great Eastern Railway Companies had kindly granted the Institution permission to place Pillar Contribution Boxes on the down platforms of the Waterloo, London Bridge, Victoria, Shoreditch, and Fenchurch Street Railway Stations.— To be thanked.

Also the transmission of the Skerries and Ballywalter new life-boats and carriages to their stations—the different Railway and Steam-packet Companies co-operating, as usual, with the Institution by granting free conveyances to the boats.

— To be thanked.

Read letters from Messrs. LAIRD BROTHERS, of Birkenhead, of the 15th June, and J. SCOTT RUSSELL, Esq., C.E., F.R.S., of the 28th June, stating that in their opinion tinned iron was better suited for the construction of life-boats than steel. Mr. RUSSELL added that thin steel was extremely liable to rapid corrosion by salt water.

— To be thanked.

Paid 1,7114 12s. 2d. for sundry charges on various life-boat establishments.

Voted 81.15». to pay the expenses of the Redcar life-boat, in putting off and rescuing 2 men from the yacht Uagmar, of Middlesboro', which was in a dangerous position during blowing weather off Hedcar, on the 17th June.

Also 71. 10s. to pay the expenses of the Carmarthen Bay life-boat, in going off and saving the crew of 7 men from the ship Mary Roe, of Quebec, which was stranded during a strong wind and squally weather, on the Cefn Sidan Sands, about 7 miles from Ferryside, on the 17th June.

Also 51. 14s. to pay the expenses of the Greencastle, Londonderry, life-boat, in going off and remaining alongside the brigantine Scottish Maid, of Barrow, which was stranded on the Ton Bank, off Greencastle, during stormy weather fromN.E., on the 19th June.

Also 10«. to a man named HCGH MULLIGAN, for putting off in a small boat and saving a girl, who, whilst gathering sea-weed, had been carried out to sea, off Innishinning, Donegal, on 14th May.

Voted the Silver Medal of the Institution, a copy of its Vote on Parchment, and II. to PATRICK MACKELL; the Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum and 11. to Mr. R. REED, chief officer of Coastguard; and II. each to 5 other men for putting off in a Coastguard galley and rescuing a woman and child from the brigantine Anna, of Kinsale, which was wrecked at Hangman's Point, near Kinsale, Ireland, during stormy weather, on the 8th June. MACKELL subsequently waded through the sea, over some rocks, and effected a communication with the wreck, by which means the crew of 5 men were landed safely.

Thursday Esq., F.R.S 2nd August. THOMAS CHAPMAN, P.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 the Right Honourable EARL PERCY, P.C., of the 1st August, requesting that the Committee would accept from him a copy of an oil-painting of the late President of the Institution, ALGERNON DUKE OF NORTHUMBERLAND, K.G. — To be thanked.

Read and approved the Report of the Inspector of Life-boats, on his visits to Dunbar, North Berwick, Anstruther, St. Andrew's, Dundee, Buddonness, Arbroath, Stonehaven, Peterhcad, Fraserburgh, Banff, Buckie, Lossiemonth, Lerwick, Stromness (Orkney), and Thurso; and to Gorlestone, Suffolk.

Also the Report of the Assistant-Inspector, of the 23rd July, on his recent visit to the Worthing life-boat 'station.

Read letter from ROBERT WHITWORTH, Esq., Treasurer of the Manchester Branch, of the 13th ult., stating that they had received 1,000/. for the Institution from a lady giving the initials " H. W."—That amount was intended for two life-boats, one of which boats was to be named the William Woodcock, and the other the John Gray Sell. She had approved of her gift being appropriated in renovating the Lyme Regis Lifeboat Station, and in providing a new life-boat for Llanddwyn.— To be thanked.

Reported that a benevolent lady (Mrs. H. H., of Bristol) had presented to the Institution 3002., as a donation in aid of its general objects.— To be thanked.

Also that "X. T. Z." of Chatham, had forwarded to the Institution 620Z., to pay the cost of a life-boat, &c. He wished the life-boat to be named the Duff, after the first missionary ship that left England for the South Seas.

The benevolent donor had sanctioned his gift to be appropriated to the Great Tarniouth surf lifeboat.

— To be thanked.

Reported also the receipt of a sum of 40J. from Captain J. MACGREGOK, being a half share of the profits of the sale of his work on the Rob Soy canoe.— To be thanked.

Also the receipt of 167. 16*., from a collection made in the Volunteer camp, Lytham, at the suggestion of Colonel HARGREAVES, after a sermon by the Rev. R. ROBINSON ; also 12/. 10s. additional, collected in the Bristol Marine Office by Captain THOMAS SMITH ; also a further sum of 2al. 5s., collected at the Newport (Mon.) Custom House by R. CULLUM, Esq. — To 6e thanked.

Reported also the receipt of the following Legacies, viz., 2047. 11s. 10 i., legacy of the late Mrs. ELIZABETH MORGAN, of Cheltenham, and interest; also 671. 10«., legacy of the late GEOKGE ANSTICE, Esq., of Chipping Norton; also 45/., legaoy of the late GEORGE SCOTT, Esq., of Warborough.

Also 500J. from the executors of the late Mrs.

STORY, of Kensington, to provide a life-boat on the coast of the United Kingdom; the boot to bear the name, the Mary Ami Story.

Reported the transmission to their stations, during the past month, of the new life-boats for Hasborough, Ballycotton, Gorlestone, and Brighstone Grange (Isle of Wight); and that the Railway and Steam-packet Companies had readily given to the boats a free conveyance.— To be thanked.

Produced descriptions of M. DESEN'S apparatus for bathing and saving life, SMITH'S life-preserving mattrass or bed, and a plan of life-boat invented by Mr. J. S. DAVIBS, of Liverpool.— To be acknowledged.

Decided that the Thanks of the Institution, inscribed on Vellum, be presented to Captain J. D. AGASSIZ, R.N., in acknowledgment of his long and valuable co-operation during the period he occupied the office of Honorary Secretary of the Exmouth Branch of the Society.

Paid 2,6302. 2s. for sundry charges on various life-boat establishments.

Voted 81. 16s. to pay the expenses of the Arklow life-boat in putting off, during a fresh breeze from the S.W., on the 14th July, in reply to signals of distress from the barque Colonist, of Liverpool, which had stranded on the Glasgorman Bank.

The life-boat brought a telegram ashore, and forwarded it to the owners at Liverpool. The vessel subsequently got off the bank, and proceeded on her voyage.

Also 181. 7s. 6d. to pay the expenses of the lifeboats of the Institution stationed at Courtown and Cahore for putting off, in reply to signals of distress during stormy weather, with the view of rendering assistance to a large ship that was reported to be on the Blackwater Bank on the 16th July, but which was assisted off by a steamer before the life-boats could reach her.

Also a reward of 201. to 10 men, forming the crews of four fishing-boats belonging to Beer and Budleigh Salterton, for the valuable services they rendered in assisting to bring ashore the officers and crews of H.M.S. Amazon and the steamer Osprey, who escaped in their boats after the collision between those vessels in the English Channel, on the night of the 10th July. At the time the boats containing the shipwrecked men were fallen in with, they were pulling away from the land, and were so heavily laden that one of the boats was said to be actually only an inch and a half above the water. Shortly after they had been assisted by the smacks a fresh breeze sprang up, which would inevitably have swamped the boats had they not been thus so opportunely lightened by the fishing-boats.

. Thursday, 6th September. THOMAS CHAPMAN, Esq., F.R.S., V.P., in the Chair.

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

Bead letter from R. J. GARDEN, Esq., of the 5th instant, transmitting a contribution of 6002.

towards the cost of the new life-boat establishment at Wicklow. He wished also to become an Annual Subscriber of 51. 5s. in support of the Branch.— To be thanked.

Read and approved the reports of the Inspector of Life-boats on the inauguration of the new lifeboats at Margate and Southwold, and on the harbour trial at Limehouse of the Life-raft invented by Mr. E. L. PERRY, of New York.

Also the reports of the Assistant-Inspector on his visits to Hnddersfield, Skegness, Palling, Hasborough, Wolverhampton, Liverpool, New Brighton, Waterloo, Douglas, and Castletown.

Reported that the Committee of the Paris Universal Exhibition of 1867 had granted the Institu- ' tion the space it required for the exhibition of lifeboat models, drawings, &c.— Ordered the same to be got ready.

Also the receipt of the following additional sums from life-boat funds:—1,800*. from the " Quiver " Life-boat Fund, per Messrs. CASSKLL, FETTER, and GALPIN, and the Rev. TEIGNMOUTH SHORE ; 1002.

additional from the "G. V. BROOKE" Life-boat Fund, per J. W. ANSON, Esq.; 7082. 13s. id. from the Leicester Life-boat Fund, per W, GREEN, Esq.; 5502. from the London Sunday School Lite-Boat Fund, per J. R. BCRCHETT, Esq. Also the receipt of the following amounts in aid of the general funds of the Institution: — 4002. from Miss HUTCHESSON, of Dover; 3432. Is. lid. from the Ancient Order of Foresters, per SAMUEL SHAWCROSS, Esq.; 1002. from Miss LYDIA HARRIS, of Peckham; 507. from the Merchant Venturers' Society, Bristol; and 71. 7s. 6rf., proceeds of a lecture delivered by the Rev. J. BUCKLE, at Ledbury, — To be severally thanked.

Also the following Legacies :—The late Mrs.

SARAH SMALL, of Brighton, 762. IB. 6d.; the late Mrs. SARAH M'GREGOR, of Camberwell, 452.; and the late JOHN BARNARD, Esq., of Walworth, 102.

Reported the transmission to their stations of the Margate, Southwold, Swansea, Llanddwyn, and Wicklow new life-boats; and that the different Railway and Steam-packet Companies had, as usual, co-operated with the Institution by granting free conveyances to the boats. Public demonstrations had taken place with all these life-boats.

•— The Railway Companies to be thanked.

Also that the Town Council of Brighton had liberally given the Institution an eligible site for a new life-boat house at that place, for a term of sixty years, at a ground-rent of Is. per annum, on various conditions.— To be thanked.

Also that a grand fete and fancy fair had been held at Clifton in aid of the Bristol Histrionic Life-boat Fund, when a large amount had been realized for the fund.

Also that the G. V. BROOKE life-boat for Poolbeg had her harbour trial at Limehouse on the 31st August, in the presence of some friends and admirers of the late Mr. BROOKE. The boat was on the 5th September exhibited on the Adelphi Terrace, London, at the request of the donors of the boat.

Ordered a barometer to be supplied to the Mumbles, near Swansea, life-boat station, for the use of the fishermen and boatmen at that place.

Also the following Circular to be printed, and to be forwarded to all the life-boat stations of the Institution :— " ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION.

" John Street, Adelphi, "London, "SIR, " I am directed by the Committee to inform you that the Inspectors of the Life-boats of the Institution report that, notwithstanding the instructions to the coxswains of the life-boats to keep the deck ventilatiug-hatches always open when the boats are housed, they frequently, on their periodical visits, find them closed.

"I am therefore desired to request that you will call the attention of the coxswain of the life-boat to the importance of this precaution being strictly complied with, as the durability of the boat will probably much depend on its being carefully attended to.

"Will you be good enough to hand one copy of this Circular to the coxswain of the life-boat, and keep the other for your own information and that of the Local Committee.

u1 remain, &c., " RICHARD LEWIS, " Secretary.

" To the Honorary Secretary "of the Branch." Read letter from Mr. W. II. GRIFFITHS, of Oldcastle, Ireland, forwarding drawings of a life-raft he had invented.— To be acknowledged.

Paid 2,3792. 18s. 5rf. for sundry charges on various life-boat establishments.

Voted 6/. 6s. to pay the expenses of the Fraserburgh life-boat in putting off during a severe N.N.W. gale, on the 4th August, and bringing ashore 5 men belonging to the lugger Betsy Ami, of Port Gordon, N.B., which was in distress at Cairnbnlg Head.

Also 62. 10s. to defray the expenses of the Lytham life-boat in going out during a heavy gale to the assistance of a ship that was in a dangerous position near the Salthouse Bank; but before the life-boat could reach the vessel she got clear of the sands. While the life-boat was returning to the shore a flag of distress was observed from the brigantine Jeune Franco'a, of Nantes; the life-boat immediately proceeded to the vessel, and put on board 5 men, who took her to a comparatively safe anchorage.

Also 82. 5*. to defray the expenses of the Blakeney life-boat in proceeding, during a very heavy sea, on the llth August, to the assistance of a pilot-coble, the crew of which were afraid to cross the bar. The life-boat took the men on board, »nd then towed the coble safely across the bar.

Also 632. 16s. 6rf. to defray the expenses of the life-boats of the Institution at Selsey, New Brighton, Cahore, Walmer, North Deal, and Scarborough, for putting off with the view of rescuing the crews of various vessels which had been observed in dangerous positions, with signals of distress flying, during the heavy gales of last month, but which did not ultimately need the services of the life-boats.

Voted 41. to four men for putting off in a boat and rescuing 3 men from the fishing-yawl Shamrock, of Duncannon, which was capsized during moderate weather off Broom Hill, Waterford Harbour, on the 6th August.

Thursday, 4th October. 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.

Also the Report of the Inspector of life-boats, on his recent visits to Chichester Harbour, Selsey, and Exeter.

Decided that a 30 feet 6-oared life-boat and transporting-carriage be placed near West Wittering, at the entrance to Chichester Harbour, and that a wooden house be built for the same.

Read and approved the reports of the Assistant- Inspector on his recent visit to different lifeboat stations on the Irish coast.

Decided that the Tyrella life-boat be replaced as soon' as possible, as she was fast becoming unserviceable.

Read letter from the Secretary of the Marine Board, Port Adelaide, South Australia, of the 28th July, forwarding a drawing of their lifeboat, designed and built by Mr. WIM.I AM TATLOR, Government shipwright at that port.— To be acknowledged.

Reported the receipt of 4502. from the Bristol Histrionic Club, in aid of the Bristol and Clifton (Lossremouth) life-boatstatinn; 531/. 18a. 2rf. from the town of Rochdale, in aid of the Fowey life-boat — the Rochdale and Catherine Rashleigh; 3601.

from E. P. S., for the Ellen (Barmouth) life-boat.

Also 43/. 18s. 6rf. in Donations, and 1477. 7». in Annual Subscriptions collected in the City of London, by E. ABSOLOM, Esq., of Rood Lane, and Snaresbrook; 4752. from the Oxford University Life-boat Fund, per Rev. G. S. WARD ; 922. 16s. lOrf. additional from the G. V. Brooke Life-boat Fund per J. W. ANSON and F. LEDGER, Esqs.; 502. from Miss HAMILL, on behalf of her brother, the late JAMES HAMILL, Esq., of Kingstown ; 501. from Miss RHODES ; and 301. from the Wolverhampton Branch, per Capt. SEGRAVE, including 102. Surplus of an Entertainment given at the Prince of Wales Concert Hall, Wolverhampton, per Mr. BREWSTER.

Reported the transmission of the Queenstown, Poolbeg, and Brixham new life-boats to their stations; the railway and steam-packet companies kindly giving the boats a free conveyance to their destinations.— To be thanked.

The Poolbeg life-boat was publicly launched at Dublin, on the 20th September, amidst much eclat.

The City of Exeter life-boat for Brixham was exhibited in Exeter, on the way to her station, on the 1st October, the demonstration being a very grand one.

Reported that the War Department had kindly granted a lease of the site of ground for the Queenstown life-boat house, and had presented some carronades for the purpose of signalling some of the life-boat crews, to the Institution.— To be thanked.

Also that the London Sunday-school Life-boat, the Robert Raikes, had been publicly presented to the Institution on the 25th September, at the Agricultural Hall, Islington. The ceremony was witnessed by an immense concourse of persons.

The orchestra was composed of the youthful contributors to the cost of the life-boat—the Sundayschool children of the metropolis. The children present represented 150 schools—100 belonging to the metropolis and 50 to the suburbs, some coming as far as from Uxbridge; and the total number of children present was 24,000. Among the earliest contributors to the London Sundayschool life-boat, and who are indeed entitled to some of the credit of setting the movement going, were Sir ROUNDELL PALMER, H.M.'s late Attorney- General, and Vice-Chancellor Sir PAGE WOOD, who subscribed Wl. each. The cost of the boat, including transporting-carriage, was 4502. The whole amount collected has been 6032. 8s. 9 £, 5542.

18s. fid. of which was made up by the pence and twopences of the Sunday-school children. The life-boat is named the Robert Raikes, after the founder of Sunday Schools, and is to be stationed at Brighton.

Reported that the late Mr. JOHN BROMHAM, of Plymouth, had left a legacy of 102. to the Plymouth Branch of the Institution.

Also the receipt from the Newcastle, Co. Down, Branch of 452., being the amount of a legacy left j by the late Mr. E. N EILSON, of Newcastle, to that ! Branch of the Institution, less duty.

The Secretary reported his visits to some of the life-boat stations of the Institution on the Devon and Cornish coast. He found them everywhere in excellent order, and the crews satisfied with the boats.

Reported that the gold and silver medals given by the Emperor of the French to the St. Ives lifel boat crew for saving the crew of the French brig, La Providence, had been presented, at a public meeting at the town-hall, St. Ives, on the 14th ult.

The meritorious act for which the medals were ! awarded occurred on the 28th October, 1865.

At daylight on the morning of that day, the j French schooner La Providence was seen to be on j Hayle Bar, with signals of distress flying. The | life-boat was got out immediately, and althoughthe courage of one or two of the crew failed at the last moment, there were volunteers at hand who took their places. The boat was launched, and on her way to the schooner she was capsized by a heavy sea on the bar of the river, but the crew fortunately, with the assistance of their lifebelts, regained the boat, and proceeded on their mission. On coming alongside the schooner it was ascertained that she had seven persons on board. A French boy succeeded in reaching the life-boat by a rope, but scarcely a moment elapsed before the life-boat again turned over, and the crew were thrown into the sea. The French boy had grasped the thwarts of the boat, and when she righted he was the only occupant. The boatmen, however, struggled bravely with the waves, and with the assistance of the life-lines they succeeded in again getting into the boat. Five of the schooner's crew were ultimately taken on board, but the other two were drowned. The five men who were rescued were brought on shore, where they received every necessary assistance, and sent back to France. Subscriptions were set on foot at St. Ives on behalf of the life-boat crew, and upwards of 1001. were distributed among the men.

Mr. HIGGS, the French Consul at Penzance, reported what had occurred to the Consul-General of France in London, and the manner in which the five Frenchmen had been rescued was subsequently brought under the notice of the Emperor of France. His Imperial Majesty was highly pleased with the conduct of the St. Ives boat'screw, and he signed a decree, granting a medal of the first class, in gold, to the coxswain of the boat—NICHOLAS LEVETT—and silver medals of the first class to each of the crew, viz.:—PAUL CURNOW, Teos. VEALE, WM. VEALE, RICHARD CURKOW, NATHAMIEL OLIVER, WM. PERKINS YEAIE, HHUAEL JOB, and JOHN BLEWETT. The medals were pinned to the breasts of the life-boat's crew by LADY ST. AUBYN, with some appropriate remarks. Mr.

LEVETT had previously received the silver medal of the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION for the above service, and each man of the crew had also been presented with the thanks of the Institution, inscribed on Vellum, and framed.

Decided that new life-boat stations be formed at Blyth, Northumberland; Stromness, N.B.; and Douglas, Isle of Man.

Payments amounting to 3,378A 9s. lOd. were ordered to be made on various life-boat establishments.

Voted 11. 14s. to pay the expenses of the Isii life-boat, stationed at Hayle, in saving 8 men from the brigantine Nicholas Harvey, of Hayle, which had stranded on Hayle Bar during a strong gale of wind from W. to N., on the 10th September.

Also "/. 6s. jto defray the expenses of the Porthdinllaen life-boat in putting off, during a heavy gale, in reply to signals of distress, and bringing ashore 5 men from the brigantine Columbia, of Carnarvon, which was in a dangerous position, and was making much water, in Porthdinllaen Bay, on the llth September.

Also 461. 9s, 6d. to pay the expenses of assembling the crews, or launching the life-boats at Blackpool, Lytham, Shoreham, North Deal, and Portmadoc to various vessels, which were in distress, during the recent gale, and which had signalled for assistance from the shore, but which had afterwards got out of danger without the aid of the life-boats.

Voted also the thanks of the Institution, inscribed on Vellum, to H. B. GAWLEB, Esq., K.N., and 51. 10s. to 13 men nnder his command, for wading into a heavy surf during a strong gale of wind, and rescuing 2 out of 14 of the crew of the barque Mary Ann, of London, which had run on the banks in Ballyheige Bay, on the llth September.

Also SI. to Mr. R. G. GIBBON, Chief Officer of Coastguard, at Courtmacsherry, Co. Coik, and four coastguard men, for putting off in their boat, and saving, during a strong gale of wind, 4 meu whose boat had capsized at the entrance to Courtmacsherry Harbour, on the 9th Sept. They had also rendered valuable assistance to H.M.'s cutter Neptune which had run on the bank at the entrance of the harbour.

Also a reward to HUGH HERRIGHTY, for swimming across a creek to get a boat, and afterwards saving the lives of two boys who were capsized from a small punt in the bay of Drumcliffe, on the llth August last.

Also a reward to three men for promptly putting off in a boat during rough weather, and saving 3 men belonging to the coble Jane, of Newbiggin, which had been capsized near the entrance of the River Wansbeek, on the 1Kb. August.

Also 51. to the crew, consisting of 10 men, of the lugger Reform, of North Deal, for putting off, during a heavy gale on the 30th August, to the assistance of the ship North, of Liverpool, and the steam-tug Wellington, of London, which were ashore on the Goodwin Sands. The lugger was, fortunately, the means of saving the lives of 22 persons belonging to the two vessels.

Thursday, 1st November. THOMAS CHAPMAN, Esq., F.B.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.

The Chairman reported the recent decease of the Very Rev. The Dean of NORWICH. The Committee expressed their sincere regret at the lamented death of the Dean, who ior many years past had cordially and zealously co-operated both with the Parent Institution and its Norfolk Branch.

We may add, that the Dean's late father, Admiral first Lord EXMOUTH, took a deep interest in the formation of the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION.

Ordered the tubular life-boat at New Brighton, near Liverpool, to be completely renovated by Hamilton's Windsor Ironworks Company. The Company had liberally promised that they would only charge for labour and material expended on the repairs of the boat.— To be thanked.

Read and approved the Report of the Inspector of Life-boats, on his recent visits to Teignmouth, Brixham, Cheltenham, Bristol, Clifton, Ilfracombe, and Burohain.

Also the Report of the Assistant-Inspector on bis visits during the past month to the following places on the Irish cost:—Newcastle, Tjrella, Portrush, Greencastle, Malahide, Portrane, Cork, Queenstown, Ballycotton, Valentia, Youghal, Ardmore.

Dungarvan, and Tramore.

Produce'd the drawings of the Safety Fishingboat ;";designed by the Institution, and ordered a boat to be built at each of the following places:—London, Great Yarmouth, Peterhead, ind Anstruther.

Read letter from the Director of Stores for India of the 3rd ult., stating that he had ordered of Messrs. FORKESTT and SON, for the Government of Bombay, a 33-feet 10-oared life-boat and carriage, and a 30-feet 8-oared life-boat,-on the plan of the Institution, provided with the usual equipment of stores, and to be furnished subject to the examination and approval of the Institution.

•— Ordered the Officers of the Institution to watch the progress of these boats.

Produced an extract from the will of the late Miss ELLEN GOODMAS, of Eversholt, Bedfordshire, in which she bequeathed j(KM. to the Institution, to pay for a life-boat, carriage, and gear complete.

Head letter from RICHARD THORNTON WEST, Esq., of Streatham Hill, of the 23rd ult., forwarding a cheque for 620/., being a contribution from himself and Mrs. WEST, to defray the cost of a life-boat, to be named the Undaunted, and to be stationed near West Wittering, at the entrance to Chichester Harbour, on the Sussex coast.— To be thanked, Reported the receipt of the following contributions :—22Z. 16s. 9d. from the Southport Branch, per Admiral BARTON ; 21/. from Mr. Alderman PHIPPEN (Deputy Mayor of Bristol) and Mrs.

PHIPPEN ; 17A 12s., collected by Mrs. TEMPF.UI.EY, of Wanstead; 13A 10s. additional from the Bristol Marine Office, per Capt. T. SMITH ; and 51. collected after a lecture at Clevedon, by EUSTACE BUTTON, Esq. Also 491., being a legacy to the Newcastle (Dundrum) Branch, by the late Mrs.

E. NEILSON of that place.

Also the transmission to their stations of new life-boats for Lossiemouth and Burnham. The Railway Companies readily gave the boats, as usual, free conveyance to their destinations.— To be thanked.

The Lossiemouth life-boat was also exhibited at Bristol and Clifton, en route to her station, and a grand demonstration took place with the boat.

At Cheltenham, the Cheltenham, life-boat was also exhibited in that town, and afterwards, on the 22nd October, at Burnham, its station on the Somerset coast.

Reported also that a public inauguration and launch of the Queenstown (Cork Harbour) lifeboat had taken place, on the 22nd October, in the presence of a large number of persons, under the superintendence of the Assistant-Inspector of Life-boats. Mr. T. EDMONDSON,- of Dublin, had delivered a Lecture on Life-boats at Cork, on the 20th October.

Ordered the thanks of the Institution to be presented to the following gentlemen on their retiring from the office of Hon. Secretary of different branches of the Institution:—ARTHUR OWEN, jun., Esq., Teignmouth; A. A. RANKEN, Esq., Glasgow; HENRY ROOD, Esq., H. M.'s Collector of Customs, Stockton; and J. KEARNEY WHITE, Esq., H. M.'s Coastguard, Valentia.

Read letter from Capt. MONTAGU PASCO, R.N., of the 27th October, forwarding a cheque for 32H. 5s., which he had collected on account of the Pasco life-boat station at Aldborough, on the Suffolk coast.—To be thanked.

Reported that the Sunderland Gas Company had laid down pipes to the life-boat watch-room at that station, and were supplying gas for the room gratuitously.— To be thanked.

Payments amounting to 2,214Z. 2s. were ordered to be made on various life-boat establishments.

Voted lot to pay the expenses of the Sir George Bowles life-boat, stationed at Howth, in going off, during a strong gale of wind from the S.E. and heavy sea, in reply to signals of distress, and saving the crew of 7 men and a boy from the fishinglugger Favourite, of Peel, Isle of Man, which had gone ashore off Baldoyle, two or three miles from Howth, on the 17th October.

Voted also 71. 18s. to defray the expenses of the Civil Service life-boat, at Wexford, for putting off on the 19th ult., during stormy weather, to the assistance of the barque Voluna, of Liverpool, which had stranded on the Long Bank. Upon the life-boat arriving alongside, the vessel was found to be abandoned by her crew; but the life-boat was fortunately the means of saving a coastguard officer and 4 men under his command, who had boarded the vessel and had lost their own boat whilst doing so. The life-boat was subsequently the means of taking the vessel into Wexford Harbour.

Also 42?. 2s. to pay the expenses of either assembling the crews or launching the life-boats at Appledore, Wexford, and Broughty Ferry (Dundee), with the view of rescuing the crews of various vessels which had been observed in dangerous positions, with signals of distress flying, during the past month, but which had not ultimately required the services of the boats.

Also the Silver Medal of the Institution and a copy of the Vote of the Committee inscribed on Parchment (framed), to Mr. BARTHOLOMEW STEPHENSON, for his long and brave services as coxswain of the Boulmer life-boat, in assisting to save the lives of a large number of shipwrecked persons.

Also the Silver Medal of the Institution and a copy of the Vote, inscribed on Parchment (framed), and 22. to Capt. THOMAS JONES, Master of the steam-tug Eh/, of Cardiff, and II. each to 8 men, forming the crew of the steamer, for proceeding out in the tug, during a heavy gale from the W., and saving 9 men from the sloop Woof Packet, of Dartmonth, which was wrecked on Bideford Bar, on the 21st September.

Also 51. to five coastguardmen, for putting off in their boat, during a strong southerly gale and heavy sea, and rescuing 2 men who had been capsized from a pilot-boat on the east side of Rock Angus (Strangford Bar), on the 13th September.

Also 21. to two men for wading into the surf, with life-lines' round their waists, and effecting a communication with the brig Mary Ellen, of Troon, which was wrecked, on the 16th September, during a heavy gale of wind and high sea, at Green Hill, near Spiddal, Galway, by which means the lives of the 10 persons on board the vessel were saved.

Also 31. to three boys for putting off in a boat and saving the life of a lad who had been capsized, along with two men, in the fishing-boat Alabama, of Arthurstown, during a squall Of wind on the 6th September, between Cheek Point and the entrance of Barrow.