ONE cannot help being struck by the fact that some Station Branches find it comparatively easy to raise a substantial sum annually for the support of the Branch, while other places, with perhaps a much larger and wealthier population, are apparently unable to secure a satis- factory response to the powerful claims of what should certainly be, in the case of a Station Branch, one of the most prominent charitable causes.

In many cases the failure is largely due to the fact that our excellent Hon. Secretaries, while keenly devoted to securing the efficiency of the boat and her crew, have neither the time nor the inclination to trouble much about " the sinews of war." In some cases, on the other hand, it is due to a want of knowledge of the best means to secure the attention and support of the public.

A glance at the Annual Report of the Institution will show the justification for these remarks.

Such considerations lead us to draw attention to a notable example of the way in which very considerable revenues can be raised by a Station Branch by a means which is at the disposal of all those which receive a considerable accession of visitors during the summer season, or, still more, of such Stations as are situated at large seaside towns which have a numerous resident popula- tion as well as a large influx of visitors at certain periods of the year.

Fleetwood is a town of 15,876 in- habitants, and, like other towns on the coast of Lancashire, it is visited by many residents from inland parts of the County during the summer season, although the influx of visitors cannot be anything like as large as it is at some of the more popular seaside resorts.

Nevertheless, owing to the admirable arrangements made by the Local Com- mittee and Hon. Secretary, over £100 has generally been collected in boxes at the Boathouse for several years past, and in 1912 the amount reached a total of £140.

The arrangement made is very simple.

During the summer months an old pensioner is engaged, who remains in the Life-boat House the whole day and explains the Life-boat to visitors, no doubt often enough spinning a yarn for their delectation. The interest of the dweller inland is aroused, and he places his contribution in the Life-boat box, it being clearly understood that the attendant is paid for his work, and that the contributions of the charitable public are for the Institution.

We cannot help thinking that, where the Life-boat House is well situated for the purpose, and where, as has been stated, there is a considerable visiting population during the summer months, such a course could be adopted at other Stations. Moreover, those Stations which have an attendant, either for a few months in the year or through the whole year, will no doubt be glad to see that the revenue obtainable from the Life-boat House by this means can be made a very considerable asset if the right methods are adopted—and the right attendant is employed. In this connexion a neat card has been prepared for display in hotels, drawing the attention of visitors to the Life-boat and inviting inspection. If Honorary Secretaries will be good enough to get hotel proprietors to hang up these cards in their lounges or near the Porter's office they will, we doubt not, find a con- siderable increase in the number of those who are thus brought into touch with the work of the Institution.