BALLANTRAE, N.B.—On the application of the local residents, a Life-boat station has been established at Ballantrae, a small village on the coast of Ayrshire, where Shipwrecks occasionally take place—three having occurred there, with loss of life, during the latter part of 1869. Sufficient fishermen being resident in the neighbourhood, a 33 feet 10-oared Life-boat has been provided from the legacy received by the Institution from the late Mrs. HARRIOT RICHARDSON, of Greenwich, and the testatrix having requested that a Life-boat might be named the William and Harriot, this boat bears accordingly that designation. A new and commodious house was built for the reception of the Life-boat, which was sent to its station in January, 1871. It was taken by the London and North-Western and Glasgow and South-Western Railways to Girvan—the latter Company kindly giving it a free conveyance. On reaching Girvan, it was met by its crew, who had come over to fetch the boat, which was then sailed by them to its station, the carriage being sent by land. The crew were pleased with the way in which the boat behaved.

On the 1st February the Life-boat was drawn in procession through the village, prior to being launched with the usual ceremonies, in the presence of a consider- able number of persons, every one appear- ing anxious to show how much the gift of the boat was appreciated.

KINGSDOWNE, KENT.—The crew of the Life-boat, stationed at this place a few years since, represented to the Institution, that, while they had every confidence in their boat for all in-shore work, and, under many circumstances, would not hesitate to go off in it to wrecks on the Goodwin Sands, they nevertheless considered it was not large enough for service on those Sands in certain winds, and they therefore declined to work it on such occasions. To meet their wishes, and it being highly important that these dangerous sandbanks should be adequately guarded by efficient Life- boats, the Institution has accordingly provided for the station, in lieu of the previous boat, a very fine Life-boat, 36 feet long by 9 feet wide, and pulling 12 oars. This boat was towed to its station free by one of the vessels of the General Steam Navigation Company, the old boat being granted a free conveyance j back to London over the line of the South-Eastern Railway Company. It had only been a few days on its station when it was called out on service, and did good work by saving 7 men from the wrecked ; barque Richard and Harriet, of Hull. j I GREENCASTLE, NEAR LONDONDERRY.— On the recommendation of the Local Committee, a larger Life-boat has been provided for Greencastle than the one previously stationed there, as so many large emigrant ships are constantly leaving the Port of Londonderry, and should accidents happen to them at the entrance of Lough Foyle, where the boat is placed, a larger boat was considered necessary.

The new boat, which is 33 feet long and rows 10 oars, was taken to Liverpool by railway, and then conveyed free to its station on board one of the steamers of Messrs. JOHNSON, GRAINGER, and Co., of Liverpool, who also brought back the old boat to the Mersey on similar liberal terms.

DUNGARVAN, Co. WATERFORD. The Life-boat stationed at Dungarvan some years since had performed several good services, but on the occasion of a vessel being stranded in the neighbourhood of the Life-boat station in January, 1871, the boat, notwithstanding three gallant at- tempts on the part of the crew, failed to reach the wreck until the weather had somewhat moderated. The Local Committee, and the master and owner of the ship, considered that the failure was not attributable to any fault on the part of the crew—who did their utmost on the occasion—but that it was caused by want of power in the boat, which only pulled 6 oars single banked. When the station was formed it was not practicable to place there a larger boat, but now sufficient men to work one being obtainable, a 32-feet boat, rowing 10 oars, double banked, and furnished with a trans- porting-carriage, has been provided, and has given much satisfaction to the crew.

It was taken free to Cork by the Cork Steam Ship Company. It is named the Christopher Ludlow, in memory of a de- ceased gentleman, whose executors had paid over a large sum to the funds of the Institution.

NEW ROMNEY, KENT.—The old Life- boat on this station has been replaced by a new and larger one, 32 feet long, 7J feet wide, rowing 10 oars double- banked, and provided with a transporting- carriage, for which a new and commodious house has been erected, on ground granted to the Institution, at a nominal rent, by the Corporation of New Romney. The whole expense of the new Life-boat establishment was presented to the Institution by Mrs. HATTON, in memory of her late husband, after whom the boat is named the Doctor Hatton. In July, 1871, the boat was conveyed by road on its carriage to Belvedere in Kent, the residence of the donor; and after having been exhibited there was sent on to Ashford, by the South- Eastern Railway, the Company granting it a free conveyance, and bringing back the old boat and carriage on similar liberal terms. The first launch of the new Life-boat at its station took place on the 4th August, on the occasion of the local Annual Regatta. Prior to the launch, the Inspector of Life-boats, Capt. J. R. WARD, R.N., handed over the boat to the charge of the Local Committee, the gift being duly acknowledged by the Vicar of New Romney, the Rev. R. SMITH, B.D., who expressed the hearty thanks of -the inhabitants to the Institution and the benevolent donor for the fine boat com- mitted to their charge. The Life-boat was then named by Miss COBB, who, having dashed a bottle of wine against the boat's side, said, "I name this boat the Doctor Hatton, and may God prosper it." Afterwards, the boat was success- fully launched and put through various evolutions. Mr. A. ANDERSEN, the Government Superintendent of Life-boats on the Coasts of Denmark, who had come to England to obtain from the Institution and the Board of Trade information 011 the Life-boat work and the Rocket and Mortar Life-saving Apparatus, attended to see the launch of the Life-boat, and the Rocket Apparatus worked by the Coast Guard, with all of which he was much gratified.