ONE of the most important features in the organisation of the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTI- TUTION, independently of the establishment of Life-boats by it, is to encourage laudable efforts by every available means to save life from ship- wreck on our coasts. Accordingly persons who have performed valuable services in saving life from wrecks, by means of shore-boats or other-•wise, when brought under its notice, are always liberally rewarded. They are usually per- formed either at places where no Life-boat is stationed, or where, from the circumstances of the case, the services of the Life-boat are not needed. The Life-boat is mostly called into j requisition when no shore-boat could venture out with safety.