THE following Regulations are intended for the guidance of the Local Committee to be formed at each place at which a life-boat is stationed by the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, an j to whose care and control the life-boat, her crew, and everything connected with her management and maintenance, will be intrusted.

The local committee to consist, if practicable, of not less than five persons usually resident, to be elected annually. The Inspecting- Commander of Coastguard of the division, or in his absence the nearest Coastguard officer to the spot, to be ex officio a member of the local committee.

1. The life-boat's crew to consist of a coxswain-superintendent, an assistant coxswain, a bowman, and as many boatmen in addition as the boat pulls oars.

2. For every boat, at least double the number of men required (if they can be found at or near the spot) should be invited to become members of her crew.

3. Such list to consist of sailors and fishermen who are usually resident, and (with permission of the Controller-General) of any Coastguard-men of the station who may volunteer for the service.

4. The salary of the coxswain-superintendent shall be 81., and that of the assistant coxswain 21. annually. On every occasion of going afloat to save life, the coxswains and each of the crew shall receive alike, 10s. by day and II. by night; and for every time of going afloat for exercise, 3s.

in smooth weather, and 5s. in rough weather.

In the absence of the coxswain, the assistant coxswain will take charge of the boat.* * The coxswain is held responsible for every man who goes into the life-boat, on occasions of service and of quarterly exercise, without having on a life-belt.

5. In the event of money being received by the life-boat for salvage of property, or similar service, a proportion equal to two shares shall be paid to the Institution to cover risk of damage to the boat, the remainder to be divided into equal shares amongst the coxswain and crew. If, however, salvage be paid for the preservation of life, no portion shall be reserved for the boat.

6. If local subscriptions be raised to reward any special act of gallantry or exertion, the Institution recommends that the whole of the money be paid to the crew, in equal shares.

7. As at each life-boat station there will be a local committee, the coxswain will act under their immediate directions, and the boat, except in case of wreck, is never to be taken afloat without their sanction.

8. As the efficiency of a life-boat depends on the good training and discipline of her crew, the strictest attention must be paid by them to the directions of the coxswain on all occasions connected with the service. The boat shall be taken afloat for exercise, fully manned, once during each quarter, sometimes in rough weather, 9. The local committee at each station are requested to make a Quarterly Report to the Institution, as to the behaviour of the boat during exercise, pointing out any defect that may require to be remedied, and offering any suggestion that may conduce to the efficiency of the service. Also generally to report on the state and condition of the boat, the carriage, the boat-house, and all the life-boat gear. Should occasion for immediate repairs arise, the local committee are authorized to make them to the extent of 51.: more extensive repairs to be referred, with an estimate, to the Parent Institution.

10. The boat is to be kept on her carriage in the boat-house, with all her gear in her ready for use, except matches, rockets, and perishable articles which may require to be secured from damp.

'11. There should be three keys to the boat-house, kept in different places, with the address of each painted on the door ; one in possession of the coxswain, and the others as the local committee may decide.

12. Immediately on intimation of a wreck, or of a vessel in distress, the coxswain is to use his utmost exertions to assemble his crew, launch his boat, and proceed to her assistance: and in the event of a sufficient number of his crew not being present, he is to select the best volunteers he can get to supply their places.

13. If a wreck occur at some distance from the station, so as to require the boat to be transported along the coast, the coxswain is to send to procure sufficient horses (which, by the Wreck and Salvage Act, any magistrate, constable, or revenue officer may demand the use of), attach them to the carriage, and lose no time in making the best of his way with the crew to the scene of wreck.

14. A reward of 7s. to be given to the man who first brings intelligence of a wreck at such a distance along the coast as not to be in sight from the Coastguard or other look-out.

15. A signal shall be agreed on by which the life-boat crew can be called together when required. A flag hoisted by day and the firing of a carronade (or other alarm signal) twice, quick, by night.

16. On approaching a wreck, the coxswain will use his judgment, according to the circumstances of the case, whether he will board the wreck end on, either on the bow, on the quarter, or on the broadside: or whether he will go to windward, drop his anchor, and veer down to the wreck; or if he will lay her alongside.

17. On boarding wrecks, the preservation of life is to be the coxswain's sole consideration, and he is on no account to take in goods or merchandize which might endanger the safety of his boat, and the lives of those intrusted to his charge. And should any be brought in, contrary to his remonstrance, he is fully authorized to throw them overboard.

18. No one besides the crew, namely, the coxswain, the assistant coxswain, the bowman, and one boatman for each oar, is on any account to be allowed to go out in the life-boat when going to a wreck, except with the express sanction of the local committee.

19. The- life-boat is not to be used for taking off an anchor; nor for the purpose of salvage; nor for taking off stores, a pilot, or orders to a ship, so as to interfere with private enterprise (except in cases of emergency, with the special sanction of the local committee), but to be reserved for cases involving risk of life.

20. The coxswain will enter in a journal with which he will be supplied, all services performed by his boat, stating the time of launching, time of reaching the wreck, the vessel's name, whither bound, number of persons rescued, &c., a copy of which, on each occasion of wreck, is to be forwarded, by the local committee, to the Secretary of the Institution in London.

21. On returning from service, the boat is not to be left in the surf on the beach, but, as soon as possible, is to be got on her carriage, and placed in the boat-house.

22. The coxswain-superintendent will be held responsible for the efficiency and general good order of the boat-house, the boat, and her gear; and it is hoped that a sense of the trust confided to them in the cause of humanity will lead the coxswains and crew to be most careful on these points, and to distinguish themselves by their zeal and readiness, and by the seaman-like manner in which their boat is handled.

By order of the Committee, RICHARD LEWIS, Secretary.