ST. ANNE'S ON THE SEA, LANCASHIRE.— In accordance with the wishes of the Life- boat men, the large Life-boat which is kept moored afloat at the end of St. Anne's Pier has been replaced by the large sailing Life-boat specially designed for the competitive Life-boat trials at Lowestoft.

She is a modification of a Life-boat designed in 1887 for the Southport Station, and is fitted with water ballast confined in six tanks, being also provided with a deck, relieving valves and side air- cases similar to those of the self-righting boat; she has a large drop keel and a raised deck forward to throw off the seas which may break over the bows, and is not self-righting. She is 43 feet long, 11| feet wide, and is fitted to row twelve oars when required. She bears the same name—The Brothers—as her predecessor, which was presented to the Institution anonymously about four years since.

The ceremony of naming was made the occasion of a very interesting and pic- turesque function on the 10th September last. Thousands of people poured into the town from Southport, Blackpool and other parts, and the pier, where the proceedings took place, was crowded.

Amongst those present were the Mayors I of MANCHESTER, BLACKPOOL and BOLTON, the Rev. W. G. TERRY, M.A., Vicar of St.

Anne's and President of the Local Branch of the Institution; also the Chairman, Mr.

CHARLES W. MACARA, who is also a mem- ber of the General Committee of Manage- ment and Chairman of the Manchester Life-boat Saturday Fund, A. B. ROGERSON, Esq., Vice-Chairman, and the Hon. Sec., Mr. THOMAS BRADLEY, besides many other gentlemen, including the Hon. Sees, of the Fleetwood, Halifax, Huddersfield, Leeds and New Brighton branches, viz., Messrs. ERNEST CROSBY, G. SCARBOROUGH, J. T. KILNER, F. H. SHAW, J. W. LUDOLF, and HUGH B. KENT.

Shortly afternoon the Rev. W. G. TERRY commenced the proceedings with a few remarks on the event of the day, and said they were all agreed how important it was to have a good Life-boat, and now they had got one of the best type. They all hoped that she would be successful, and that she and her crew might be instru- mental in saving life.

Commander T. HOLMES, R.N., District- Inspector of Life-boats, said he felt it to be a great honour to represent the ROYAL NATIONAL LITE-BOAT INSTITUTION that day, and he was glad to be at St. Anne's for the first time. St. Anne's was known all over the kingdom, indeed all over the world, as the place where a gallant band of men had lost their lives in attempts to save their fellow-men. There was no place where men were so ready, and there was no place on the coast where a Life- boat was more needed—(hear, hear).

After giving a detailed description of the new Life-boat, he said that she was the result of all the skill, all the design and all the workmanship at the disposal of the Institution. He had great pleasure in now handing over the boat to Mr. POBRITT (chairman of the Local Board), as repre- senting the town of St. Anne's—(loud cheers)—and would ask him to hand it to the local committee. She was a good boat, and no doubt the crew would manage her with pluck—(Applause). He prayed for protection for the boat and her crew.

There were hundreds and thousands of men who went out in the Life-boats, and they deserved the thanks not only of them at St. Anne's, but of the whole British public. (Applause.) Mr. PORRITT then referred to the pro- ceedings of the day, and the interest which he took in the Life-boat cause, and after- wards handed over the boat to Mr. MACABA, chairman of the local committee.

Mr. MACARA, whose name is so well known in connection with the Life-boat cause, expressed the pleasure which he felt in accepting such a charge, and after referring to the efforts made to increase public interest in the cause, said he wished to remind them that Life-boats, like ships of the Royal Navy, not only wore out, but became obsolete—(hear, hear). They should always have the best boats. It should not be a question of money; but whatever was wanted should be supplied —(Applause). It was a matter of sincere regret to them all that the wife of their esteemed vicar was unable, in consequence of ill-health, to undertake the duty of naming the new Life-boat, and her daughter, Miss TERRY, would therefore take her place, and he was sure they would all join with him in wishing that Mrs. TERRY'S health might soon be re- stored—(Cheers).

Miss TERRY then took her seat in the Nora Royds, the St. Anne's pulling Life- boat, and was rowed round the pier-head to the new boat. She was accompanied by the Rev. W. G. TERRY and Mr. MACARA ; and Mr. A. B. ROGERSON, of St. Anne's, was in charge of the Nora Royds, which was manned by the reserve crew, of which he is coxswain. There was some swell on the water, and a few minutes were required to bring the two Life-boats BO that the bow of the new boat was in easy reach.

Miss TERRY then cleverly dashed the bottle of wine directly on the bow of the boat, and named her The Brothers, and the ceremony was greeted with loud cheers.

In course of the. proceedings suitable prayers were said by the VICAR, and appro- priate hymns were sung.

A parade of the four Life-boats—The Brothers and the Nora Royds of St. Anne's, the Charles Biggs of Lytham, and the Edith and Annie of Southport, then took place. This was followed by a race by the four Life-boats, which was watched with much interest, the Lytham Life-boat coming in first, the St. Anne's Nora Royds second, the St. Anne's The Brothers third, and the Southport boat fourth. This ter- minated the proceedings on the pier.

In the afternoon a public meeting was held in the Mission Hall, St. George's Road, presided over by Mr. MACARA, who addressed the meeting, and said: I am sure many of those who have honoured us with their presence to-day have gained a better knowledge of Life-boat work by seeing the Life-boats afloat, the result of which will, I trust, be to further stimulate a more lively interest in the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION. The people of St. Anne's must also feel greatly encouraged to maintain the reputation they have gained of being such zealous supporters of the noble society whose work is the succour of those in peril on the sea.

This station, from its position on the estuary of the Eibble, is probably more favourably situated than any of the neigh- bouring ones for rendering prompt assis- tance to vessels that may be driven on to the treacherous sandbanks that abound on this part of the coast. I think the com- mittee of management in London have acted most wisely in so promptly and cheerfully giving effect to the representa- tion of the St. Anne's committee regarding the importance of this station, by placing here the magnificent new boat which has been inaugurated to-day, the actual boat that came out first at the recent experi- ments at Lowestoft. I am sure, from my personal knowledge of the crew who are to man this boat, they will acquit themselves well when occasion arises. You have to- day seen several types of Life-boat. Now I would like to remind you that in this age of science and invention, Life-boats, like the ships of the Royal Navy and mer- cantile marine, not only wear out, but be- come obsolete much sooner than formerly.

The ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITU- TION, as you are all aware, is supported entirely by voluntary contributions. It is, therefore, the duty of the British people to supply the committee of management with the necessary means to replace boats that have become obsolete. I maintain that the least that can be done by those who live at home at ease is not only to suitably reward the gallant men who are ever ready, at any hour of the day or night, to risk their lives to rescue those in peril on the sea, but also to ensure their safety as far as human foresight can, irrespective of cost. Lancashire and Yorkshire have come forward most nobly in the Life-boat cause, and I firmly believe that " Life-boat Saturday" will ere long be recognized throughout the length and breadth of the land as one of the per- manent institutions of the country. A most pleasing feature in connection with this movement is that the working class have contributed so generously. At a public meeting I attended in Preston last week to establish a Life-boat Saturday in that town, the representatives of the trades unions were present, and asked to be allowed to serve on the Executive Com- mittee. The first Life-boat Saturday in Dundee, which is to take place shortly, has been organised by Mr. C. W. Millar, the energetic secretary of the Sailor's and Firemen's Union. He has succeeded first in getting the other representatives of trades unions in the town, and also the friendly societies to join him in the move- ment, and now he has got a large council constituted of employers in the various branches of industry, and a number of the leading public men in the town, who are willing to give both their support and influence in making Life-boat Saturday a success. In these days of strikes and lock-outs, it is, I am sure, most gratifying to see that all classes can still work har- moniously in the interests of philanthropy.

Let us hope that Life-boat Saturday may not only be the means of putting this greal national institution on a thoroughly sound financial basis, but may also be the forerunner of a better understanding be- tween employers and employed. (Cheers.) Other addresses were delivered by the Mayors of Manchester and Bolton in support of the Life-boat cause, and especially the Life-boat Saturday move- ment. In different parts of the town col- lecting boxes were placed lettered," Satur- day Life-boat Fund." The Sub-Com- mittee, who carried out all the arrange- ments for the day, were Mr. J. F. PEAR- SON, Mr. B. PORRITT, Mr. BOGERSON, Mr. WAINWRIGHT, and Mr. T. BRADLEY. It was a most successful day throughout.

CULDAFF, IRELAND.—The ROYAL NA- TIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION has re- cently formed a new Life-boat Establish- ment at Culdaff, County Donegal, for the benefit of the coasting vessels trading to and from Culdaff Bay, and to assist the fishing-boats when they are overtaken by sudden gales of wind and heavy seas. A fine new boat-house and a launching slip- way have accordingly beSn constructed at a considerable expense, and a new Life- boat, a transporting and launching car- riage, and the usual full equipment of stores have been despatched to the station.

The boat is of the modern self-righting type, possessing all improvements intro- duced up to the present time, including a drop keel and two water-ballast tanks; it is 34 feet long, 8 feet wide, and rows 10 oars double-banked. The whole amount expended on the formation of this new Life-boat Establishment has been pre- sented to the Institution by Mrs. MONT- GOMERY, of Littleover, Derby. This lady had expressed a wish to make such a donation as a loving memorial of her late son, WILLIAM ARTHUR PATRICK MONT- GOMERY, who died on the 12th April, 1891, aged 37 years; and the Institution having invited her to allow her gift to be appro- priated to the Culdaff new Station, she at once agreed to the proposition. In accord- ance with her wishes the boat is named the William Montgomery, and a stone tablet recording the presentation has been affixed to the Life-boat house.

The public inauguration of the new Life-boat Establishment took place on the 8th December last, and notwithstanding that the rain fell pitilessly during the whole day there was a large gathering of persons from the surrounding district to witness the interesting proceedings, which were admirably organised by the energetic Local Honorary Secretary, Mr. E. M. FLEMING, J.P., and carried out under the directions of the District Inspector of Life-boats, Commander T. HOLMES, R.N.

Prior to the launch the President and Chairman of the Cnldaff Branch, Mr. ROBERT G. YOUNG, J.P., the Honorary Secretary, and other gentlemen expressed the gratitude of the locality to the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION and to the benevolent donor, Mrs. MONTGOMERY, for the handsome and complete Life-boat Establishment provided there for the benefit of shipwrecked sailors and fisher- men. The hymn, " For those at Sea," was then sung, after which the Rev. T. C. HUSTON, rector of the parish, offered up a special prayer.

Miss FLEMING was then asked by the chairman to come forward and christen the Life-boat. She said, " At the special request of Mrs. MONTGOMERY, I name this Life-boat the William Montgomery, in memory of her son, and I hope it will be the means of saving many lives." (Cheers.) The Life-boat was then launched under the direction of Commander HOLMES, K.N., the District Life-boat Inspector, amid considerable interest and excitement— such a launch having never been pre- viously witnessed by the majority of those present. In addition to the crowds in the vicinity of the Life-boat house, the pier was lined by spectators, and all the available rocks in the vicinity had groups of the country-people perched on them.

All being ready, the boat on its carriage was run down the slip by means of the windlass. On reaching the edge of the water the order was given to man her, and the men, who wore their blue jerseys, red caps and life-belts, climbed on board.

Bounds of hearty cheers were given as the noble craft shot off the carriage and floated buoyantly on the water, disclosing her graceful lines and fine proportions. Com- mander HOLMES was in command. Mr. FLEMING was also on board. The crew,  composed of coastguardmen and fishermen, were a fine body of men, hardy, seamen- like, and of good physique. The boat quickly got under weigh, was taken out- side the pier, and tried both with sails and oars, and all were satisfied with the maiden trip. After half-an-hour's exer- cise the William Montgomery was brought back and replaced in the boat-house. ; After the inauguration ceremony a large party sat down to a luncheon. The fol- lowing were the principal toasts:—" The Representatives of the Donor of the Life- i boat and of the National Life-boat In-stitution," proposed in felicitous terms | by Mr. YOUNG, and seconded by the Rev. T. C. HUSTON. The " Kind lady friends who on that occasion had graced the fes- tive board by their presence and practical services" was proposed by Rev. T. C.

HUSTON, seconded by Mr. JAMES M'GLIN- CHEY, and responded to by the Rev- ROBERT PORTER. "The Visitors" was responded to in eloquent sentences by the Revs. T. BALDRICK MOBBIN, W. SPBOULE, and E. MORRISON. " The Local Com- mittee" was associated with the names of Mr. YOUNG (Chairman), Mr. FLEMING (Hon.

Secretary), Rev. W. M. M'GLINOHEY, and Rev. ENOCH STOREY. The speeches of the two clergymen mentioned in this con- nection were very interesting, and Mr. STOREY made touching reference to a wreck on the English coast at which he was present, illustrative of the boon con- ferred on the parish of St. Bodonus, Cul- daff, by the donor of their Life-boat.

The services of the 'Press' in connection with the work in hand, were suitably acknowledged. Afterwards the gallant crew of the William Montgomery were most hospitably entertained.