IN two instances recently the indomitable courage of the British Life-boatman has been recognised and suitably rewarded by governments of the respective countries to which the distressed vessels belonged.

The first case was a gallant rescue performed, under arduous circumstances, in the north of Ireland, during March, 1905, and the reward from the French Government was presented by the Lord Mayor of Belfast (The Right Hon. Sir DANIEL DIXON, Bart., D.L., M.P.).

The award consisted of a gold medal and diploma to Mr. JOHN MCCAUSLAND, Master of the tug Flying Irishman, and to Mr. JAMES POLAND, .Coxswain Superintendent of the Newcastle (Down) Life-boat, in recognition of their saving the lives of twenty of the crew of the French barque Cannebiere, wrecked during a severe gale in Dundrum Bay on the 15th March, 1905.

The vessel, a large sailing ship of upwards of 3,000 tons, left Glasgow bound for the French Colony, New Caledonia, but being overtaken by tempestuous weather, was obliged to seek shelter in Dundrum Bay. Both anchors were let go, but they dragged, with the result that the ship grounded and the seas quickly commenced to wash over her. The crew all took to the rigging, with the exception of the cook, who, unfortunately, was washed overboard and perished.

The Institution's Life-boat, Farnley, stationed at Newcastle, was promptly sent to the rescue, but failed in the first attempt to reach the endangered men.

In the meantime the tug, with Mr. JOHN MCCAUSLAND in command, put off and rescued ten of those on board, but in the gathering darkness had to suspend operations. Undaunted by their first failure, the Life-boatmen manfully stuck to their task, and some fourteen hours after they had left Newcastle they had the satisfaction of rescuing the last man on board.

In the second case the honours went to Scotland, H.I.M. the German Emperor having graciously awarded the crew of the Institution's Arbroath Life-boat, James Stevens No. 13, three silver jwatches and the sum of £20—the watches to the Coxswain Superinten-dent (Mr. W. H. SMITH) the Assistant Coxswain, and the Bowman, and the sum of £2 to each of the other members of the crew. On the back of each watch was engraved His Majesty's monogram, surmounted by the Imperial crown.

The reward was in recognition of the rescue of the crew of five hands of the barque Gesine of Oldersum, which, when on a voyage to Alloa, was wrecked at Westhaven, near Carnoustie, on the 14th April, 1906. Information reached Arbroath about 5.30 in the morning, and, notwithstanding the early hour, within twenty minutes the life-boat was on its errand of mercy. On arrival they found the Gesine almost submerged, and the entire crew were taking refuge on the forecastle, benumbed with cold and exposure. A line was thrown to them with the view of rescuing them by means of a buoy attached, but this they failed to make use of. The Lifeboat crew then, with considerable danger and difficulty, hauled alongside the schooner, the boat being damaged in consequence. It was then seen that the distressed men were too feeble to help themselves, and with all care they were lifted into the Life boat, which then made for home. One very pleasing incident of this splendid service was that the members of the Life-boat crew, in the terrible weather, with noble unselfishness divested themselves of part of their clothing in order to keep the shipwrecked men warm until Arbroath was reached.

The presentation of the much-appreciated gifts was made the occasion of a public ceremony, over which the Provost presided..