Speeches of His Royal Highness at the Annual General Meeting on the 18th March, 1893, "As your chairman to-day it is my duty to move the first resolution, which is 'That the report now read be adopted, printed and circulated.' The last occasion on which I had the satisfaction of presiding at the Annual General Meeting of the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION was exactly nine years ago, in 1884. Since that time the Institution has made more progress and shown a greater activity than in any similar period of its history, as the figures which I am about to quote will prove. 37 new stations have been established, 260 new Life-boats have been placed on the coast, 101 old Life-boats improved, and 6,672 lives have been saved, for which rewards have been granted. The total number of Life-boats on the 31st December last year was 304, and the total number of lives for which the Institution granted rewards between 1824, when it was founded, and the end of 1892, was upwards of 37,000. In 1883 the receipts of the Institution from all sources, excluding legacies, were 40,2502., and in 1892 58,6542., or a net increase of nearly 50 per cent.; and this is the more satisfactory as there was a great depression in trade and agriculture during the whole of that period. In 1883 the expenditure amounted to 45,8172., and in 1892 to 80,4162. But I must point out that the increased expenditure was mainly due to the additional number of stations which were established, to the construction of Life-boats, carriages, boat-houses, and slipways, to the increase in the pay of the Life-boat men on rescue and other services, to the competitive trials with Lite-boats, a special item, and to the increased price of labour and materials (loud cheers). In February 1889, the Institution promoted a Bill in the House of Commons to amend the Act of 1877 for the removal of wrecks on the coast of the United Kingdom which might prove dangerous to Life-boat crews in the performance of their life-saving duties. This was the first Bill that was passed through Parliament in that year, and the first, likewise, to which in 1889 the Queen, Patron of the Institution, affixed her signature (cheers), and I am glad to inform you that many dangerous wrecks have since been removed under the provisions of this Act (cheers). It is anticipated that, owing to the establishment of coast communication round the United Kingdom now being carried out, and a Royal Commission having sent in its first Report containing certain important recommendations, that a great saving of life will in the future be effected. In February 1889, also, the Committee placed on the coast the first steam Life-boat ever built, at a cost of 50002., and since the inspection of it at Cowes by the German Emperor and myself in August last, an offer has been made by the firm that constructed it to build another with various improvements for 32502., and I understand that this offer is about to be considered by the Committee.

I think you will agree with me that the Committee came to a wise decision when they determined in Nov. 1891 that, in order to improve the condition of the Life-boat crews, the pay for their services should be increased by one-half during the six winter months (cheers). I am informed that this considerate measure has been much appreciated by the men. The difference between the expenditure and the receipts from the ordinary sources of income which I have mentioned, was met by the appropriation of legacies and capital. But there is no doubt that the financial question is one of vital and pressing importance, and will require the earnest con- sideration and attention of the Committee as well as every possible help from the public. The fact that the income from subscriptions, donations, and interest on investments was insufficient by 21,8882., to meet the expenditure of last year is a grave matter for reflection, and points at once to the desirability of extending the new'system, which has been successfully adopted in Lancashire, of having ' Life-Boat Saturday ' and ' Life-Boat Sunday' collections in London and other parts of England, and especially in large towns, which, I regret to state, have, as a rule, hitherto contributed but little to the Institution. While referring to the financial question, let me add that I am requested by the Committee to mention that they are specially desirous that it should be made known to intending donors that money is greatly needed for the maintenance of the existing boats and the service generally (loud cheers)." His Royal Highness, in response to a hearty vote of thanks which was tendered to him, said : "Ladies and Gentlemen, Before we close, I wish to return my cordial thanks for this resolution.

It is, I assure you, a source of very sincere satisfaction to me to be able to preside once more at the Annual Meeting of this great and most important Institution (cheers). Be assured, I always have taken, and always shall take the very liveliest interest in its success. I do not con- sider that in this world there can be a finer service than this one, in which men are culled upon at all hours of the day and night to give their services, frequently at imminent risk to their lives, to save their fellow creatures from the frightful death of drowning. This is, to my mind, one of the noblest and finest services to which a human being can belong (cheers). Such being the case and knowing how much money is expended in order to keep this Institution on a proper footing, I sincerely hope the words which have fallen from so many able speakers to-day will not be for- gotten, and that you will all do your utmost by your voluntary contributions to assist to maintain a Society of such importance. Let me thank you once more for your kind reception and assure you of the pleasure it has given me to meet you (loud cheers).".