DURING the last three years good progress has been made with the all-important system of electrical communication on the coast for life-saving purposes, pro- moted by the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION. The majority of the most dangerous parts of the coast of the United Kingdom are now supplied with telegraph wires and telephones connecting the coastguard stations and postal tele- graph offices, which are always available day and night for calling out the Life- boats and rocket apparatus. Several of the rock lighthouses and light-vessels have also been telephonically connected with the shore, and the Third Report, recently published, of the Royal Commis- sion, appointed at the instance of the Institution, has strongly recommended further important connections in the same direction. Many lives have already been saved by Life-boats called out by telephone and telegraph, and there is every reason to hope that before another year or two has passed the whole scheme will be perfected and in thorough work- ing order. The Admiral Superintendent of Naval Reserves has at the request of the Institution issued admirable instruc- tions to the coastguard as to the use of the electrical connections placed under their charge, and much depends on the careful carrying out of these instructions.

Any departure from the rules laid down must it is to be feared tend to the loss of life, besides entailing heavy and un- necessary expense on the Institution through Life-boats being called out when their services are not required.