POOLE.—This Life-boat station has recently been completely renovated, the boathouse and slipway having been altered and improved, and the Life-boat, which was no longer fit for further i service, having been replaced by another and larger boat, which was designed by i Mr. G. L. WATSON, the Naval Architect of the Institution. She is a non-self- righting boat of what is termed the Sonthport class, and is fitted with a deck, side air-cases, freeing valves, four water- ballast tanks, a wooden drop-keel, and two small air-cases at each end. She is 38 feet long, 9 feet 4 inches wide, and rows 12 oars, double-banked. She took part in the competitive trials with pulling Life-boats at Montrose, and was placed second in the order of merit, the first place having been taken by a 38 feet by 8 feet self-righting boat. When it became necessary to replace the Poole boat she was sent there on trial; and the crew, after taking her out in a gale of wind and heavy sea, requested that she might be allowed to remain permanently on their station. Her cost has been defrayed from the Oily of London Masonic Life-boat Fund, and the boat is named the City Masonic Club. The ceremony of dedi- cating, naming, and launching the boat at its station in the presence of the repre- sentatives of the donors was made an occasion of great rf joicing and display at Poole on the 26th August, the only drawback being the weather, which was very unpropitious, rain falling heavily nearly the whole time. The Freemasons were particularly interested in the event, and the local lodge, " Amity, 137," Bro. J. H. WHADCOAT, W.M., was very active in carrying the arrangements to a success- ful issue. A special meeting was held by that lodge in the afternoon by dispen- sation from the P. G. M. of Dorset, which was largely attended. Amongst those present were the following four delegates from the City Masonic Club, London, viz., Bro. A. H. LILLEY (Presi- dent), Bro. J. C. WILKINSON PIMBURY (Treasurer), Bro. J. BROCKETT SORRELL (Preceptor and Secretary), and Bro.

Louis FERGUSON. The Freemasons after- wards proceeded through Market Street to the Odd Fellows Hall in full regalia, and after luncheon they adjourned to the public meeting at the Guildhall, where there was a crowded attendance, and the proceedings were characterized with great heartiness and enthusiasm.

The chair was occupied by the Eight Worshipful the Mayor of Poole (Lord WIMBORNE), who was supported by Lady WIMBORNE (the Mayoress), and the Hon.

Misses GUEST, Dr. and Mrs. HOSKER (the Mayor and Mayoress of Bournemouth), the Deputy-Mayor of Poole (Alderman II. FARMER), and many other ladies and gentlemen. The Mayors wore their chains and robes of office.

Lord WIMBORNE opened the meeting, and called upon Mr. SORBELL, who on behalf of the donors presented the Life-boat to the Local Committee. He said that the City Masonic Club was established in London in 1890 with two objects, first to improve its members in Masonic knowledge, and second to provide funds for distribution among Masonic Institutions. They had spent some hundreds of pounds in that way, besides what individuals had done, but some of the members felt that they should do something outside those objects, and that they should establish a Life- boat, and it was a proud moment for them to see at last their object accom- plished with the help of the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION. In asking the Local Branch to take charge of their offering to the Institution he expressed a hope that the occasions for its use might be few and far between, but he firmly believed, that if occasion should arise, no matter under what conditions of peril, the brave crew who would man that boat would not be wanting in the dis- charge of their great and glorious duty.

(Loud applause.) Lord WIMBOBNE said that it gave him great pleasure to think that one of his Mayoral duties should be to receive and accept that splendid gift. (Applause.) He would always remember that day as one that had greatly helped to advance the interests of Poole. To a seaport like Poole, he need hardly say the gift of a new Life-boat was of inestimable value, and he was perfectly satisfied from the past records that when the cry " Man the Life-boat" was raised, they would find the crew able and willing to go forth to succour their brethren in distress.

(Applause.) The MAYOR OF BOURNEMOUTH, who also replied, said that in the case of Poole and Bournemouth, which were situated on the sea, they had constant evidence brought to them of the dangers to which their fellow-creatures were subject.

They must remember that but for their sailors they would starve, but beyond that selfish idea they should let a nobler thought impel them, namely, to help their fellow-creatures who went down in ships to the great waters. (Applause.) And besides that let them remember the poor wives and children of the sailors and the Life-boat men, for while the latter did their duty in a time of excitement, the former had to stay at home wondering whether they would ever Bee again those they loved dearly.

After hearing other addresses and passing votes of thanks to the donors and to Lord and Lady WIMBORNE, an adjourn- ment was made to the Life-boat house.

A short dedication service was then held, which was conducted by the Rector, the Rev. J. A. LAWSON, assisted by Rev. W. OKES PARISH (Vicar of Longfleet and Kural Dean). The service consisted of the singing of the hymns "All People that on Earth do Dwell," and " Eternal Father, Strong to Save," with a portion of the 107th Psalm, the singing being led by St. James's choir. After special prayers had been read by the Rev. W. 0. PARISH, the rector pronounced the Benediction.

The naming ceremony was then per- formed by Lady WIMBORNE in the boat- house, the boat at the time being manned by the crew, and ready to go off the slipway. Before doing so, Lord WIM- BORNE, the Hon. Miss GUEST, Dr. J. A. HOSKER, and the Eev. J. A. LAWSON went into the boat, and remained there until after the launch. Lady WIMBORNE performed the ceremony amidst loud applause. Her ladyship broke a bottle of champagne over the bows of the boat, and in doing so said, " I have great pleasure in christening this boat the City Masonic Club." Immediately the boat was released, and, gliding down the slipway, took the water in a very graceful manner, amidst loud cheers. After the boat had been taken a little way down tho harbour, it was rowed back to the slipway and again housed, and this brought the ceremony to a conclusion. The procession after- wards re-formed and marched back to the Guildhall.

In the evening the members of the Life-boat crew were entertained to supper in the Odd Fellows Hall, thanks to the liberality of the donors of the boat. The Rev. J. A. LAWSON, as President of the Poole and Bournemouth Branch of the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, occupied the chair, Mr. H. BURDEN (Hon. Sec.) being in the vice-chair.

SOUTHWOLD.—One of the two Life- boats at Southwold, stationed there many years since by the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, has just been replaced by a similar boat of the Norfolk and Suffolk type, but of rather larger dimensions. The new boat is 32 feet long, 9 feet wide, and is fitted to row "12 oars, double-banked. The cost of thisnew Life-boat, with its transporting carriage and equipment, has been defrayed from a legacy of lOOOZ. bequeathed to the Institution by the late Mr. JOHN BOULDEBSON BARKWORTH, of South Leigh, Havant, Hants, for a Life-boat and boat- house for the east coast of England. The boat has, in accordance with the testator's request, been named the Rescue, and the balance of the bequest will be appropri- ated in erecting a new Life-boat house at Southwold when the present one is worn out, the money in the meantime being specially invested. This Life-boat was exhibited at the recent Yachting Exhi- bition held at the Imperial. Institute, London, as a typical Life-boat of the Norfolk and Suffolk class, and was much admired. Arrangements were made for a public ceremony on the occasion of the first launch of the Life-boat at its station on Tuesday, the 7th September.

A procession was formed on the Market Hill, composed of the Southwold Volunteer Artillery Band, members of the Corporation, with the Mayor (Mr. E.

N. U. ADNAMS) in his official robes, members of the Life-boat Committee and the Coastguard, the rear being brought up by the new Life-boat on its carriage, drawn by a team of six horses, and manned by its crew in their red caps and life-belts. Although a slight shower occurred at the time appointed for the start, there was a large assemblage of spectators. The procession, to the strains of lively music, marched — via the principal thoroughfares—to the foot of Gun Hill, where a short ceremony took place. The Mayor, members of the Corporation and others, having boarded the Life-boat, the Mayor introduced Mrs. BARKWORTH, the widow of the donor of the boat, and in doing so—speaking not only on behalf of himself as a member of the Southwold Corporation and a humble ratepayer, but on behalf of the town itself—said they were very pleased and proud to receive such a handsome present as they were about to receive that day.

(Cheers.) He reminded many present that they were only summer visitors, who enjoyed fine weather; but after they had gone came storms and gales, which washed away their beach and called for the services of the Life-boat. It was therefore very gratifying that Southwold had been chosen to be the recipient that day of one of the most recent types of Life-boat yet built. (Cheers.) He testi- fied to the never-failing courage of the Southwold beachmen in time of danger, and trusted' that the new boat would never be disgraced by any act of cowardice on the part of its crew. (Loud cheers.) Mrs. BARKWORTH then came forward, and said: " I have great pleasure in present- ing this boat to the Station at Southwold, in the name of my late husband, Mr.

JOHN BOULDERSON BARKWORTH." (Loud cheers.) The gift was acknowledged in suitable terms by the District Inspector of Life- boats, Commander HOLMES, E.N., who handed the boat over to the care of the Local Committee, on whose behalf it was accepted by Mr. J. SINCLAIR, the hon.

secretary. A short religious service was then conducted by the Rector (Rev. C. H. SUTTON), the surpliced choir of St.

Edmund's Church singing the well-known " Hymn for those at Sea." Mrs. BARK- WORTH then, in the orthodox manner, broke a bottle of wine on the bow of the boat and named her the Rescue, after which she was launched from her carriage into the sea, amidst great cheering.

KESSINGLAND (SUFFOLK) and SUTTON (LINCOLNSHIRE).—The ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION has replaced Life-boats at Kessingland and Sntton by new boats of the same type as those superseded. The Kessingland Life - boat is a large sailing boat of the Norfolk and Suffolk class, 38 feet long and 12 feet wide, provided with four water-ballast tanks and two sliding or drop-keels. She has been provided from a handsome gift received by the Institu- tion from a blind gentleman, Mr. JAMES PAUL, M.D., of Barnes, Surrey, at whose request the boat is named St. Paul. The Button new Life-boat was presented by Mr. HANS BLACKWOOD, of Leamington, in memory of the late Mrs. BLACKWOOD, and is named, in accordance with his wish, the Sir John. This boat is 35 feet long, 8 feet 3 inches wide, and rows 10 oars, double-banked, she has one water-ballast tank and one drop-keel, and possesses the latest improvements; she was shown at the Imperial Institute last summer as a specimen of the modern self-righting Life-boat.