A VERY interesting International Con- gress on life-saving took place at St.

Malo, Brittany, between the 4th and 12th August. It had been organised by La Soci6te des Hospitaliers Sauveteurs Bretons, in celebration of their 50th anniversary, and was attended by a large number of French and foreign repre- sentatives. The Institution was repre- sented by Commander Stopford C.

Douglas, R.N., Deputy Chief Inspector of Life-boats, and the foreign representa- tives included Admiral Reynolds, U.S.A., head of the United States Coast Guard Service, and Captain Saxild, of the Danish Ministry of Marine, both of whom had already paid a visit to England, in July, and inspected the New Brighton Motor Life-boat at Cowes. The Congress was opened by M. Raiberti, Minister of Marine, and the technical discussions covered a period of four days, during which time a large range of interesting subjects was discussed, whilst practical exhibitions of interesting inventions weregiven. On behalf of the Institution, Commander Douglas read a paper on " The Launching of Life-boats by Tractors," which was very well received.

No pains were spared to render the visit of the foreign representatives in- teresting, and every moment of their spare time was occupied with entertain- ments and visits to neighbouring places of interest.

The Annual Meeting of the Society took place on Sunday, the 12th, in the Town Hall of St. Malo, where a crowded audience listened to the account of the various life-saving services performed by Life-boats and other means, for which awards were being given.

At the conclusion, M. Berthaut, Presi- dent of the Society, announced that La Grande Medaille d'Art Exceptionelle had been bestowed upon THE ROYAL NA- TIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION " as a tribute to the oldest and most powerful voluntary life-saving service in the world.".