FOLKESTONE. — The ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION has formed a Life- boat station at Folkestone, in accordance with the wishes of the local residents, as an additional safeguard for life-saying pur- poses for that part of the coast, the adja- cent Life-boats being Dover on the east and Hythe on the west, and there being considerable steamboat and other traffic in and out of Folkestone Harbour. The Life-boat provided is 38 feet long, 8 feet wide, and rows 12 oars double-banked; it is fitted with three water-ballast tanks, provided with pings and pumps, by means of which water can be readily admitted or pumped out; it also possesses the latest improvements, with all the other characteristics of the boats of the Institu- tion in the way of self-righting, self-ejecting water, &c. Like all the modern self-right- ing Life-boats built by the Institution, this boat will promptly self-right if capsized with all the crew and gear in, masts up and sails set. It is furnished with a trans- porting and launching carriage well suited to the purpose, and a commodious house has been erected for their reception on the beach near the New Pier. The cost of the boat, carriage and equipment has been defrayed by Miss CuBLiNO.of Denmark Hill, London, and as desired by her the boat is named the J. McConnel Hussey.

On the 25th July last the formal in- auguration of the new Life-boat establish- ment took place in the presence of a large concourse of spectators. The Mayor and Corporation and the invited guests as- sembled at the Town Hall, and proceeded thence to the beach adjoining the Life- boat house.

The Mayor wore his chain of office, and the Town Sergeant his gorgeous Louis XIV.

uniform, and carried the ponderous mace.

The Vicar of Folkestone, with his curates in their robes, the organist and choirmaster of the parish church, and the choir, all in their surplices, were stationed at the bow of the boat, and the Corporation and officials gathered round her.

In the course of his opening remarks, the Mayor referred in terms of gratitude to the munificent gift received from Miss COBUNQ, and regretted that the state of her health precluded her from being pre- sent on that auspicious occasion. In her name he handed over the boat to the District Inspector of Life-boats, Com- mander T. HOLMES, E.N., as representing the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITU- TION, and expressed the hope that it would be a great success, although he trusted that it would be many years before it would be wanted. If it should be, he felt sure that the brave men who formed the crew would do their utmost to save any lives which might be in danger (applause).

The gift was acknowledged in suitable terms by the District Inspector, who then transferred the boat to the care of the Local Committee, on whose behalf Lieut.- Ool. STEPHEN PENFOLD, J.P., undertook that it should be found efficient in time of need. Miss VAUGHAN, the daughter of the Mayor, then performed the naming ceremony, after which a religious service was conducted by the Eev. Canon WOOD- WARD. The appropriate hymn, " Eternal Father, strong to save," was sung with striking effect by the choir and the assembled spectators, and the benediction concluded the service.

At a given signal the rope which held the boat was loosened and she glided smoothly and quickly into the waves, as shown in the annexed illustration, amidst ringing cheers, while several rockets were fired, and the band of the Scots Fusiliers played " Rule Britannia" and other appropriate airs. The pier and the beach were gaily decorated with flags, and quite a fleet of boats were on the sea waiting for the Life-boat to join them.

In the evening the Life-boat crew were entertained at the Albany Restaurant.

The Mayor also invited the members of the Corporation and several of his friends to a private dinner at the Pavilion Hotel.

TEIGNMOUTH, DEVON. — The Life-boat stationed some years since at Teignmouth has just been replaced by a new one, 34 feet long, 7J feet wide, rowing 10 oars double-banked, and possessing the latest improvements. The cost of the boat has been defrayed by the executors of the late Mrs. STANIFORTH, of Broom Lodge, Broomhall, Sheffield, who had requested them to provide from her estate a Life- boat for the south coast of England, to be named the Alfred Stani/orth, in memory of her late husband. In addition to the full cost of the Life-boat and equipment, the executors have given the Institution the handsome [sum of l.OOOZ. for the maintenance of the boat. The new Life- boat was publicly named and launched at its station on the 16th August last, the day being set apart, in accordance with the custom at this place in recent years, as " Life-boat Demonstration Day," when a thorough canvass of the town was made.

About 3 o'clock a procession was formed at the Life-boat house, and, headed by the band of the Artillery Volunteers, paraded the principal streets.

There were several carriages in the proces- sion, containing amongst others Viscount EXMOUTH and Commander T. W. BEDDOES, E.N., Inspector of Life-boats, Western District; Dr. EDWARD THOMAS, one of the executors of the late Mrs. F. J.

STANFORTH, and the Misses HIBBARD, nieces of that lady; Rev. J. METCALFE and Rev. J. VEYSEY, Captain MITCHELL (Chairman of the Local Committee), and Mr. W. J. BUBDEN (local Hon. Secretary).

Viscount EXMOUTH presided, and after expressing his pleasure at being present called on the Rev. J. METOALFE to proceed with the dedication service. A hymn was sung, Mr. C. MAXWELL, A.C.C.G. (London), accompanying on the harmonium. A portion of Psalm cvii. was read, and then the Eev. J. VEYSEY, Vicar of St. Michael's, dedicated the boat, the beach, pier and sea-wall being crowded with spectators, while large numbers watched the service from boats.

Dr. E. THOMAS formally handed the boat over to the Institution, and ex- pressed, oh behalf of himself and the Misses HIBBARD, his thanks for the kindness they had received.

The Life-boat Inspector and the Chair- man of the Local Committee expressed the thanks of the Parent and Branch Institutions for the munificent gifts from the late Mrs. STANIFORTH'S estate.

Miss EVELINE ADA HIBBARD then named the boat Alfred Staniforth by breaking a bottle of champagne on the rudder. As soon as this had been done the boat was successfully launched amid loud cheering. Looking gay with her flags, she was rowed over to the pier-head, where she was capsized and tested, great interest being taken in the proceedings.

The sum of 92Z. 12s. 8d. was gathered in for the cause by the ladies and gentlemen and children who kindly acted as honorary collectors on this occasion, Mrs. W. J. BURDEN, the wife of the local honorary secretary, heading the list, her collection amounting to 71. 18s.

GORLESTON, SUFFOLK. — The ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION has provided a new Life-boat, of the improved Norfolk and Suffolk type, for Gorleston.

It is 31 feet long and 9 feet wide, and is fitted to row 12 oars double-banked. It was built by Mr. H. CBITTEN, of Great Yarmouth, and takes the place of one which was provided some years since from the special fund which was collected at IST NOVEMBER, 1894.] THE LIFE-BOAT.

801 Leicester. The new boat, like its pre- decessor, will be known as the Leicester.

The Life-boats stationed some years since at Dunwich, Palmouth, Mullion and Port Logan have also been replaced by new ones provided by the Institution.

They are all of the self-righting type, their sizes respectively being 34 feet long and 8 feet wide, 37 by 9 feet, 38 by 8 feet, and 34 by 8 feet, the smaller boats rowing 10 oars and the larger ones 12 oars double-banked.

The Dunwich Life-boat is named the Lily Bird, after the daughter of the donor, SAMUEL BIED, Esq., of Cowes.

The cost of the Falmouth and Mullion boats has been defrayed from a legacy bequeathed to the Institution by the late Mr. E. A. NEWBON, of London; and they, in accordance with the instructions of the testator, are named respectively the Bob Newbon and Nancy Newbon.

The Port Logan new boat has been provided from the late Miss E. C. ALLEN'S Legacy, the boat being named the Frederick Allen.