NOTE.—The Editor will be grateful to Hon. Secretaries, and other subscribers, for any really good photographs of wrecks, or Life-boats on service or exercise, for publication in the JOURNAL.

The Life-boats and the War.

THE KING'S APPRECIATION OF THE INSTITUTION'S WORK.

THE record of the Life-boat Services in 1916, and since the outbreak of War, having been laid before His Majesty the King, the folio-wing gracious expression of his appreciation has been received:— BUCKINGHAM PALACE, 12th January; 1917.

DEAR SIR, The King has learnt with much interest and satisfaction of the splendid work achieved by the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION during the past year in saving upwards of 1,300 lives, and rescuing, since the outbreak of War, 750 from His Majesty's ships and other vessels lost by the action of mines and torpedoes and other causes arising directly out of the War.

At the same time His Majesty deplores the severe casualties among the men of the Life-boat Service in carrying out these heroic duties.

In congratulating the Institution on this record of service, the King regrets to hear that its income has been severely diminished in 1916.

Believe me, Yours very truly, (Signed) STAMFOBDHAM.

GEORGE F. SHEE, ESQ., Secretary, ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION.