AYR, SCOTLAND.—The Life-boat at this station has been replaced by a new one of the Liverpool type, 35 ft. long by 10 ft. wide, rowing 12 oars and fitted with 2 drop keels. Like her predecessor she is named the Janet Hoyle, as desired by the late Mr. Thomas Kincaid Hardie, of Hyde Park, London, who, in addition to providing her cost, was in other ways a generous supporter of the Institution.

The public inauguration and naming ceremony took place in perfect weather on Saturday, the llth June last, in the presence of thousands of spectators who lined the quays and other parts from which a good view of the proceedings could be obtained. The company in- cluded the Countess of Glasgow, Provost Hunter, Chairman oi the Ayr branch of the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION ; Captain Hardy M'Hardy, R.N., Commander Hunter-Blair, R.N., of Blairquhan; Lieut. Forbes, R.N., Inspector of the Northern District of the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITU- TION ; Mr. R. J. Semple, hon. secretary of the local branch; Sir Charles Craufurd and the Misses Craufurd, Lady Coats, Mrs. Arthur, Mr: and Mrs.

Kennedy, Sir Wm. Arrol, Dr. Gairdner, Councillor Learmont, Mr. Hugh Young, Harbour Clerk; Mr. James Scott, Mr.

William Dick, Mr. James Lowdon, Captain Carnochan, Lieut.-Colonel M'Fadin, Rev. Archibald Alexander, Mr. John Steele, Redgorton; Mr. John Galloway, Mr. R. M. Davidson, Dean of Guild Meikle, Councillor-Fraser, ex- Provost Allan, ex-Provost Ferguson, Mr. John Rusk, Rev. J. Vavasour Hammond, Trinity Church; Rev. Chas. O'Malley, St. Margaret's Roman Catholic Church; ex-Superintendent John M'Cracken, ex-Bailie Semple, Capt. Mackenzie, Harbour Master ; Mi D. J. Lockhart, Harbour Treasurer ; Rev. W. Phin Gillieson, Rev. Oswald B. Milligan, St. Leonard's, etc.

Provost HUNTER said it was quite manifest from the large gathering assembled that much interest was taken in the Life-boat and in Life-boat work in Ayr, and this work went back a very long distance. He thought it was in 1803 that the first Life-boat here was presented to the Harbour Trust by the Royal Artillery Company of Ayr.

That boat was followed by another in 1819. So far as they could gather from official records, it was not until 1859 that the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE- BOAT INSTITUTION placed a boat at Ayr; and it might interest them to know that she was only a few months at the station before being called into active service, on which occasion the crew were the means of saving fourteen lives. That boat was superseded by another, which rendered excellent service on something like fourteen different occasions, and was the means of saving forty lives. In 1887, through the kindness of Mr.

Thomas Hardie, of London, a Life-boat was presented to Ayr. (Applause.) It was named after the donor's wife, Janet Hoyle, and did very good service.

It was pleasant to look upon the placid sea that afternoon, but when people " went down to the sea in ships," they had to take the chance of wind and weather. They were making preparation for the winter blasts that were to come.

He called upon Lieutenant Forbes to officially hand over the Life-boat to the local committee. (Applause.) Lieutenant FORBES, R.N., said he had a very pleasant duty to perform, as representing the Life-boat Institution, to hand over to the local committee the splendid .boat which they saw and admired. The Janet Hoyle was a very fine sailing boat of the Liverpool type, four and a half tons in weight, 35 ft.

long, with 10 ft. beam. She was well built in every way, and in spite of her size and weight, was easy to manipulate either on land or sea. That she was a seaworthy boat was known to those who had already had experience of her. On her arrival at Ayr on 10th January, he had the pleasure of taking her out in a westerly gale, when she behaved as well as any Life-boat could have behaved. He wished to remind them that when the Life-boat Institution handed over a boat, they gave it as a trust to the people of the district and they expected them to show some practical sympathy with theobjects of the Institution. (Applause.) They had a very able and energetic Honorary Secretary, and the town of Ayr stood very high in the Scottish district in the list of places giving financial support to the Institution.

He asked Captain M'Hardy, on behalf of the Local Committee of the Insti- tution, to accept the boat. (Applause.) Captain HARDY M'HARDY, R.N., said he had been asked by the Committee, of which the Provost of Ayr was the chairman, to accept the boat on their behalf. Captain M'Hardy expressed the hope that the public of Ayr would give greater support to the Life-boat Institution.

The hymn " For those at Sea," was sung, accompanied by the band, and prayer offered up by the Rev. John Miller, the oldest officiating clergyman in Ayr, who preaches his farewell sermon shortly.

Provost HUNTER presented Lady Glasgow with a pair of silver scissors with which to perform the ceremony of cutting the ribbon. He expressed the hope that she would be long spared to perform such acts of kindness. They had always found her ladyship willing— nay, more than willing—to assist every good cause. They knew she was deeply interested in Life-boat work and in other work for the welfare of humanity.

The COUNTESS OF GLASGOW returned thanks for the gift, and said it was a great pleasure to her to come to Ayr on this occasion. The Life-boat cause was especially deserving of their sympathy and support and she had no doubt that the new boat would prove worthy of the confidence reposed in her.

The boat was then named Janet Hoyle and glided gracefully into the water amid the loud cheers of the spectators.

The proceedings concluded by the playing of "God Save the King" by the band.

HYTHE, KENT.—The Life-boat on this station has also been replaced by a new boat of the self-righting type, 35 feet long by 8 feet 6 inches wide, rowing ten oars, fitted with two water ballast tanks and one drop keel. She is named Mayer de Rothschild, as was the previous boat, and is the endowment of the late LADY ROSEBERY, who, before her mar- riage, when Miss Hannah de Rothschild, presented the Institution with a sum of money for the purpose in memory of her father.

The inauguration ceremony took place on the 27th May, and the immediate neighbourhood of the Life-boat house and the Coastguard Station were con- siderably brightened by a capital dis- play of bunting and flags. The new Life-boat had been placed ready for launching and previous to the begin- ning of the ceremony, the crew, under Coxswain Dearman, manned the boat.

Over the boat hung the device " May God aid our efforts." Shortly before half-past three the guard of honour, consisting of the Fire Brigade, under Lieut. E. S. Manning, and the Boy Scouts, under Scoutmaster Marchant, took up their position, while the Hythe Excelsior Town Band was stationed at the stern of the boat. The band enlivened the proceedings with a bright selection, as the choir of the parish church, accompanied by the Revs. H. D.

Dale (the Vicar), and A. S. Wetherall, walked from the boat-house to the boat.

Then followed the Town Sergeant (Mr.

Baker), the Mayor (Councillor F. W.

Butler) wearing his robes and chain, Lord Brassey, Mr. Keppel Foote, R.N.

(District Inspector of the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION), Mr.

H. D. Hildyard (Honorary Secretary), the Town Clerk (Mr. B. C. Drake), Alder- men Scott, West, Jeal and Price, Councillors Strahan, Goodyear, Tun- bridge, Cobay, Lee and Sharp, Mr. C.

Jones (the Borough Surveyor), Dr.

Robinson (the Medical Officer of Health), Mr. Chitty (the Borough Treasurer), and Mr. R. R. Ellis. Among those present were Lieut. Garrett, R.N., Col. Con- greve, Capt. Luckock, the Mayoress (Mrs. F. W. Butler), Mrs. Garrett, Mrs.

H. Strahan, Mrs. Deedes (Saltwood Castle), the Misses Deedes, Mrs. Hild- yard, Mrs. Molyneux, Drs. R. Davis and Scoones, Major Brodribb, R.A.M.C., Messrs. F. B. Ninnes, H. Stainer, Adams, Straughan, Molyneux, J. D.

Friend, Smith, Ryan, R. Dann, S.

Bean, E. Tudor Johnson, Court, and G. Elliott.

While awaiting the arrival of Sir Edward Sassooii and Miss Sybil Sassoon, Lord Brassey, Mr. Foote and Alderman Jeal boarded the boat, which was in- spected by them. On the arrival of the Borough Member and Miss Sassoon, the Misses Drake, two charming ladies, pre- sented bouquets to Miss Sassoon and the Mayoress.

Lord BRASSEY then followed with an interesting speech. He said he appre- ciated the honour they had done him by asking him to be present on an occasion which was of very deep interest to the people of Hythe. He had heard that morning, with the deepest satis- faction, of the interest which the people of Hythe took in their Life-boat. (Hear, hear.) They shared the interest which was universally felt in England for sailors. The people of England dearly loved their sailors. There was 110 more lovable type than that of the brave true-hearted British seaman. As a proof of the interest they took in their sea- men, it was only necessary for him to say that the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE- BOAT INSTITUTION was able to expend something like £100,000 a year in the building of Life-boats, in the mainten- ance of Life-boats and in providing money for rewarding the brave men who manned them. He had confidence in the crew at Hythe, for they had it in their hearts to do their duty when the call was made and they would do it gallantly and well. He was pleased to be associated in that ceremony with Sir Edward Sassoon and Miss Sassoon.

Finally he wished God-speed to the new Life-boat.

Sir EDWARD SASSOON was the next speaker. He said it devolved upon him to carry out the behest of the Local Committee and to present to the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION that seaworthy and serviceable craft which was about to be launched on its proper and rightful element. His daughter had the greatest possible pleasure in undertaking the duty of launching it, a duty, which, under other circumstances, would have been performed by one whose sudden removal from his home had darkened and rendered it desolate.

The new boat, he understood, formed a portion of a gift of a lady who was no longer among them, a relative of his, who had the sagacity to perceive the need for and the generosity to make provision for a Life-boat and the neces- sary apparatus. The dangers of the seafaring populace was unfortunately only too evident, and he congratulated the local committee upon the possession of such a magnificent and gallant craft, which he presented to the Life-boat Institution. (Applause.) Mr. KEPPEL FOOTE, on behalf of the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITU- TION, accepted the boat. He said it was his pleasant duty to hand it over to the care of Councillor Strahan and the Committee. Without the local committees all round the coast—whose services were so highly appreciated by the Institution—it would be absolutely impossible to carry on the Life-boat service. They knew that Hythe was second to none in the interest taken in the work of their great Institution.

He then spoke in high appreciation of the services of Mr. Hildyard, the local hon. secretary, and proceeding, said that they had the greatest confidence in the two coxswains and crew of the Life-boat.

He wished very great success to the Life-boat Committee and the gallant crew. (Applause).

Councillor Strahan, as chairman of the local branch of the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, accepted the boat with the deepest gratitude on behalf of the Committee, the crew, and all concerned. On behalf of the Insti- tution, he presented a picture of the Life-boat to Mr. Hildyard as a token of appreciation for his services.

Mr. Hildyard briefly replied.

The choir then sang Psalm 107, and the Vicar offered up prayer, this was followed by the hymn, " Eternal Father, strong to save." Miss Sassoon, Sir Edward Sassoon, Lord Brassey and others then proceeded to the bow of the boat, and the former breaking a bottle of wine across its bow named the craft the Mayer de Rothschild.

Immediately afterwards the Coxswain gave the signal to let go and the boat sliding down the slipway took the water beautifully, making a splendid launch.

Thebandstruck up the National Anthem, and a ceremony which will long be remem- bered in the locality was completed.

POOLE, DORSET.—A new Life-boat has also been sent to Poole. The boat is of the seif-righting type, 37 ft. 6 in. long by 9 ft. 3 in. wide. She rows 12 oars, is fitted with two drop keels, and is called the Harmar, as desired by her donor, the late Mr. George John Harmar, of Ken- sington. The inauguration took place on Saturday, the 4th Jxxne, in beautiful weather and amidst great enthusiasm.

The naming ceremony was performed by Miss Daisy Harmar, who was accom- panied by her mother; the other distin- guished visitors included the Earl of Malmesbury (President of the Local Branch), the Countess of Malmesbury, the Mayor and Ma3'oress of Bourne- mouth (Councillor G. E. Bridge and Mrs. Walker Bridge). Others present were the Mayor and Mayoress of Poole (Councillor L. D. Ballard and Miss Ballard), the Sheriff of Poole (Councillor G. W. Green, J.P.) and Mrs. Green, Sir Richard Glyn, J.P., the Rector of Poole (the Rev. R. Pawkes) and Mrs. Fawkes, Alderman George Curtis, J.P. (Deputy-Mayor of Poole), Alderman W. Tucker (Christchurch), Mr. Joseph Cutler (Bournemouth), Alderman C. H. Mate, J.P. (Bourne- mouth), Alderman W. H. Yeatman, Mr. Keppel Foote (the Institution's District Inspector), Mr. Henry Burden (Chairman of the Local Branch), Mr.

Harrie E. Shave (Hon. Secretary and Treasurer of the Local Branch), Mr. C. Stacey Hall (Hon. Secretary, Bournemouth Life-boat Saturday Fund), Councillor J. A. Hawkes, J.P., and Mrs. Hawkes, Councillor W. J. Stevens, Councillor F. J. Bell (Bournemouth), Capt. Prankard, Mr. C. Thresh, Mr. J.

Andrew (reader-in-charge of theSeamen's Mission), Mr. E. Whitly Baker (Wim- borne), Mr. B. J. Tucker (Christchurch), Mr. and Mrs. G. McWilliam (Bourne- mouth), Miss Rake, Miss Hoskins, Miss Lowe, Miss Tucker (Christchurch), and other members of the Committee.

The proceedings commenced with a short service at the Missions to Seamen Church, Poole Quay, and the sacred edifice was filled to overflowing. The Rector, who is also Chaplain to the Missions, officiated and Mr. J. Andrew read the Lesson, which was the incident of Christ stilling the tempest. The prayers were a feature of the service, Divine blessing being asked upon the new boat, the crew, the family through whose generosity the vessel had been provided, and upon the work of the Institution generally. The hymns sung were " Eternal Father, strong to save," and " O God, our help in ages past." At four o'clock the company pro- ceeded to the Life-boat house on the East Quay, where the new craft was in readiness to be launched. An enclosure had been roped in, and both outside and inside this were large crowds of in- terested folk, while the water in the immediate vicinity was black with small craft laden with sightseers. There was a considerable display of fiags and bunt- ing, which lent a gala appearance to the occasion. The ceremony was preceded by some speech-making.

The EARL or MALMESBURY, who pre- sided, said that he was glad to tell them they had with them that day Mrs.

Harmar and her daughter, and he was sure they all offered to them their warm- est welcome and sympathy. (Applause.) I It was through the generosity of the late Mr. Harmer that they were able that day to have one of the finest Life- boats in the service—(applause)—and it was a fitting occasion, an occasion marked bv beautiful weather and con- genial surroundings, to offer to Mrs.

Harmar their deepest sympathy and deep sense of gratitude. (Applause.) Aiter alluding to thte splendid financial support which the Institution received from that branch, 200Z. being sent up for 1909, Lord Malmesbury touched briefly on the work of the Institution in general.

Mrs. HARMAR, who was heartily received, then formally presented the ! new Life-boat to the Institution and I hoped itwould do good work. (Applause.) I Mr. KEPPEL FOOTE, District Inspector, i accepted the boat on behalf of the Institution, and informed Mrs. Harmar that it would be really difficult to | find a better place to station her husband's gift than Poole, where they had a magnificent crew and a most j energetic Committee, who took the j deepest interest in the Institution.

I (Applause.) In his turn, the speaker asked the Local Branch to accept theLife-boat from the Institution and said he had the greatest confidence in hand- ing the new vessel to their care.

(Applause.) Mr. HENRY BCRDEN, as Chairman of the Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch,~ and Wimborne Branch of the Insti- tution, said it gave him the greatest pleasure to accept that Life-boat on behalf of his Committee. They had had some very splendid boats in the past, and he was satisfied from the initial trial they had with the new boat the other day the crew felt the greatest confidence in the vessel they would have to take out in the future. Mr.

Burden expressed himself prouder of their crew than he could say. They had saved in the various boats a large number of lives, and he could say with confidence that the experience of the past showed that they had never gone out to a casualty without bringing in any lives there were to be saved : there had never been a life lost. And he could say to Mrs. Harmar that she could be satisfied that her boat would be as ably and well manned. (Cheers.) A vote of thanks to Mrs. and Miss Harmar for their presence and assist- ance at that ceremony was submitted by the MAYOR OP POOLE, but his remarks were cut short by the premature firing of the gun as the signal for the crew to make ready for the launching, and, with much merriment at the interruption, the company turned their attention to the naming ceremony.

The Life-boat was on the slipway which forms its permanent stand in the Life-boat house, from which, when released by a windlass, it glides out directly into deep water. Its bows projected a few feet from the house and were decorated with multicoloured rib- bons from which was suspended a bottle of champagne. Lord and Lady Malmes- bury mounted into the Life-boat with the crew, but no one else who were invited appeared willing to go.

Miss DAISY HARMAU then came for- ward and in the memory of htr father named the boat Harmar hoping it would do good service. She then lifted the champagne bottle and dashed it against the vessel's bows, whereupon a rocket was fired and amidst great cheering, the Harmar, with Lord and Lady Malmesbury and the full crew aboard, glided at a rapid rate off the skids into the water. A magnificent bouquet of Malmaison roses and stephan- otiswas then presented to Miss Harmar on behalf of the Committee by little Miss Vera Bacon, daughter of Mr. Frank J.

Bacon, for which the child received a kiss and the ceremony closed.

The Life-boat, after a short cruise, in which it was followed by the Swanage Life-boat, came alongside the Quay and took off Mrs. and Miss Harmar, the Mayor and Mayoress of Bournemouth, the Mayor of Poole, Mr. Burden, and Mr. Shave, and went for another short tour to exhibit itself to the crowd that was watching its manoeuvres with keen and delighted interest.

At 5.30 P.M. the Sheriff and Mrs.

Green entertained the distinguished visitors, officials, committee and crews of the Poole and Swanage Life-boats to tea at the Guildhall. A very excellent repast was served being much enjoyed.

CBA.IL (SCOTLAND), ST. ANDREWS (SCOT- LAND), AND SOUTHSEA (HAMPSHIRE). New Life-boats have also been sent to these Stations, all the boats being of the self-righting type. The Grail boat is named the Edwin Kay, as wished by her generous donor, the late Mr. Edwin Kay, of Southsea. The St. Andrews boat bears the name John and Susan Hatfield and is the gift of the late Mr.

John Hatfield, of Colwyn Bay ; while the Southsea boat is called the Richard Crawley, her cost being provided for from the legacy of the late Mr. Richard Crawley, of Southampton.