The boats of the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, and all belonging to them, are kept in roomy and substantial boat-houses, under lock and key, in charge of paid coxswains, under the general superintendence of local honorary committees of residents in the several localities. Each boat has its appointed coxswain at a salary of 8l.t and an assistant at 2Z. a year, with further allowances under special circumstances. The crew consists, in addition, of a bowman, who is paid 30s. a year, and as many boatmen as the boat pulls oars. A signalman is also appointed who receives a retaining fee of 1'.

per annum, and payment as a helper each time he is on duty. The members of the volunteer crews are registered and, wherever practicable, at least double the number of men required are entered on the register. Such men are mostly resident boatmen, fishermen or Coastguardmen. On every occasion of going afloat to save life, the coxswains and each of the crew receive alike from the funds of the Institution (whether successful or not) 10s., if by day, and 11., if by night; and usually 4s.

each for every time of going afloat for exercise. These payments are increased by one half during the six months of each year beginning the 1st October, and ending the 31st March.

A reward of Is. is given to the man who first brings intelligence of a wreck in such a position as not to be in sight of a Coastguard man on duty or other responsible look-out man.

A flag hoisted by day, and the firing of a carronade (or other alarm signal) by night, are the well-known signals for calling the crew together.

On boarding wrecks, the preservation of life is the sole consideration. Should any goods or merchandise be brought into the Life-boat, contrary to the coxswain's remonstrance, he is authorised to throw them overboard.

The average cost of a Life-boat Station is 1,0501, and is made up as follows:— Life-boat and her equipment, including Life-belts for the Crew, Skids, and Transporting-carriage for the Life-boat . . . £700 Boat-house (Slipway extra) ........ 350 Total . £1,050 It is often necessary to provide a Slipway for launching purposes, which costs from 200/. to 1,000/.

The average Annual Kxpense of maintaining a Life-boat Station is 1QOI.

Such is a brief summary of the chief of the Regulations under which the Life-boats are worked.

How faithfully and with what result they are carried out let the journals of each Life-boat Station and the annals of the Institution tell.

The NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION has now 303 Life-boats under its charge. Nearly all of these have been specially presented to it, and they save every year hundreds of shipwrecked sailors.

Altogether, the Institution has contributed to the saving of 37,855 lives.

Despite, however, this fleet of 303 Life-boats, and of 24 others locally provided or otherwise sup- ported, and despite the numerous rocket apparatus stations on our coast, there remains the melancholy fact that on an average 650 lives are lost annually on and around our own shores alone, as shown by the Board of Trade Returns, proclaiming solemnly, though silently, that, for humanity's sake, and for the national credit, no exertions should be spared in providing every possible means for the conveyance of succour to the shipwrecked.

The Institution needs an income of at least 70,0007. to maintain its great Life-saving Fleet; and the Committee feel assured that it will never lack it so long as it maintains its boats in the state of thorough efficiency that they are in at the present time, and manned as they are on every emergency by as fearless and noble a class of men as ever Nelson or Collingwood led to battle to uphold our country's honour and glory..