BERKSHIRE.

Reading.

A ROYAL CENTENARY MATINEE was held on 10th May, which was a great success, and was attended by H.R.H. the Prin- cess Louise, Duchess of Argyll, Patron of the Ladies' Life-boat Guild, Sir God- frey Baring, Bt. (Chairman of the Com- mittee of Management), and Lady Baring and Sir Stewart and Lady Abram.

Reading, also held a Tennis Tournament, and was visited (as described elsewhere) by the Teesmouth Motor Life-boat.

Maidenhead held a Century Life-boat Day, and was visited by the Teesmouth Motor Life-boat, as described elsewhere.

Newbury held a Century Life-boat Day.

CORNWALL.

Newquay's Life-boat Week.

Newquay held a Centenary Life-boat week in August which included a launch of the Life-boat and a Life-boat Proces- sion, special collections, and entertain- ments by local concert parties, and which concluded on the Sunday afternoon with an open-air Thanksgiving Service. The service was conducted from the Life- boat, ministers of the different Churches taking part in it, and was attended by a large congregation of residents and visitors. In his address, the Rev.

James Ninnis spoke of his pleasure at seeing the Churches united to bless the great work of the Life-boat Service, and described that work as a strong support to the idea of a League of Nations.

Other Celebrations.

Century Life-boat Days, with a launch of the Life-boat, were held at The Lizard and Penzance. The Lizard also had a Life-boat Concert.

Padstow held a Century Life-boat Day with Aquatic Sports and an open- air Concert.

Falmouth held a Meeting and a Cen- tury Life-boat Day, and at a number of outlying places it was decided to form sub-guilds of the Ladies' Life-boat Guild.

Bude held a Century Life-boat Day, with competitions and a display of Life- boat films ; and days were held also at Looe, Port Isaac, St. Ives and Truro.

The Isles of Scilly.

A Century Life-boat Day was held in August, with a Concert and Dance, and a Life-boat Demonstration by the St. Mary's Motor Life-boat. It was well described by the Western Morning News and Mercury: " This year the Isles of Scilly kept half-holiday on Life- boat Day to witness a series of manoeuvres to display methods for saving life from a wreck at sea. A vessel was moored as a wreck a little way off the pier, and some lads were to be seen further off floating on a raft. Another shipwrecked wretch was to be se-m on a movable rock.

Alarm guns called the ever-ready crew to boat, and ten minutes later the craft was breasting the waves to the scene of the' disaster.' She proceeded to negotiate the supposedly dangerous Bacon Ledge and some unknown and invisible reefs, and to steady her in such a gale as never blew on land or sea she hoisted masts and sails and made a couple of tacks in a vain endeavour to approach safely the fast sinking wreck. The whole of the idle inhabitants of St. Mary's and others from the off islands were congregated on the shore watching. The boat lowered sail and, under motor power only, care- fully approached the doomed ship. As the ocean shallowed sufficiently at this unknown ledge, the Lifeboat dropped anchor and veered down cautiously on the wreck. As such a sea as was never seen was running over the battered and shattered craft, getting alongside was impossible, so a line and' breeches buoy' was fired correctly well over her, and several men were successfully got aboard the Lifeboat. But one poor fellow was great energy that they were such a seen to be badly injured, and he had to success.

Other Celebrations.

Axminster held a Century Life-boat Day and a Ball.

, Barnstaple held two Centenary Balls.

Brixham held a Century Life-boat Day and a Concert.

Budleigh Salterton and Dawlish both held Century Life-boat Days.

At Cullompton a new branch was established, and a Life-boat Day and Fete, and a Life-boat Ball were held.

Dartmouth held an open-air Centenary Meeting and a Century Life-boat Day, at which a record sum was raised.

Exeter held a Century Life-boat Day.

Exmouth held a Century Life-boat Day which was a great success.

Ilfracombe held a Century Life-boat Day and a Concert.

be helped down into the water and held up as he was drawn across to the Life- boat. After this the Boat went out to discover the raft which had floated away j to sea. Finally, the man on the floating rock was pulled to safety with a hand line." DEVONSHIRE.

Appledore.

Thanksgiving Meeting and Service.

A Thanksgiving Meeting and Service was held on Bideford Quay, close to the Kingsley Memorial, on the evening of 19th June, and there were upwards of 2,000 people present, although rain was falling almost continuously during the ceremony. The Appledore Life-boat Salcombe held a Century Life-boat Day, a Dance, and issued a special appeal.

Seaton and Beer held Century Life- boat Days, and a Dancing Display at the Town Hall.

was lying in the river, and among those | Lynmouth celebrated the Centenary present were the Rev. J. B. White, j for two consecutive days, with sports on President of the Branch, who presided ; | tne first day and a launch of the Life- the Mayors of Bideford, Barnstaple j boat( an(i a Ball on the second, and Torrington, the Chairman of the Northam Urban District Council, the Rector of Bideford, the Vicar of Apple- dore, and the President of the Bideford Free Church Council. The civic party marched from the Town Hall, headed by the Bideford Town Band, and accom- j Sidmouth held a Century Life-boat panied by the Police,_the Fire Brigade, Day, an open-air Whist Drive, three the the Church Lads' Brigade, Scouts and the Girl Guides.

Dances and two Theatrical Performances.

Plymouth.

Plymouth celebrated the Teignmouth held a Century Life-boat Day, supplemented by a Carnival, at held which a record sum was raised.

Torquay and Paignton both Centenary in a number of ways. Several Centenary ] Century Life-boat Days.

Meetings, arranged by the Mayor, were held. Century Life-boat Day took DORSETSHIRE.

place on May 17th and included a Pageant, witnessed by thousands of people, through the streets of Plymouth, Devonport and Stonehouse. A Cen- tenary Service was held in St. Andrew's Church with the Mayor and Corporation attending in state. On 10th September there was a Life-boat Fete and Gala, during which the Life-boat went up the Laira for the first time, and gave a demonstration of rescue by means of the Line-throwing Gun, and in November there was a Life-boat Ball. These special attractions were organized by Mr.

Sydney Clarke, and it was due to his « A I***«* * t _"" ~".".T.~ " Dorchester held a Century Life-boat Day, at which a record sum was raised, and a Whist Drive and Dance in the spring, followed by another in the autumn ; and the Lord Lieutenant of Dorsetshire issued a special appeal.

Lyme Regis held a Century Life-boat Day and a special demonstration of life- saving.

Poole and Bournemouth held Cen- tenary Meetings and a Century Life-boat Day, and special appeals were made in the churches.

Shaftesbury held a Centenary Meeting, a Whist Drive and Dance and a Century Life-boat Day.

Sherborne had a Life-boat Lecture and a Century Life-boat Day.

Swanage held a Century Life-boat Day, a Life-boat Demonstration and a Whist Drive.

Weymouth.

The new Life-boat House, built for the Motor Life-boat, which has beenstationed at Weymouth, was opened on 10th September by Lady Ilchester, and j the Boat was launched. Among those present were the Mayor and Mayoress,; Mr. A. E. Newbold, of the Albany Ward! Theatres, and Mr. Norris, the Hon.

Secretary of the Branch, and the chair was taken by Major J. H. C. Devenish, J.P., the President of the Branch. On many occasions the cinemas have helped the Institution by allowing collections to be made during their performances, by showing films of Life-boat work, and by announcing Life-boat Days. But the Weymouth Life-boat House is the first: special gift which the Institution owes jto the Cinema, and for this it is indebted to Mr. Albany Ward (unfor- tunately prevented by illness from being present at the ceremony). The record of his help is inscribed on a tablet on the wall of the house : " This Life-boat House has been presented to the Royal National Life- boat Institution through the generous ' initiative of Albany Ward, Esq., inbringing the claims of the Life-boat Service before the Patrons of the Albany Ward Theatres, Ltd., Jersey and Guernsey Amusements Company, Ltd., and Albany Ward's Theatres." HAMPSHIRE.

Portsmouth.

The Navy joined very heartily in the celebration of the Centenary at Ports- mouth. Several Centenary Meetings were held, a Centenary Dance arranged by the wife of the Commodore, and a Century Life-boat Day, which was an immense success There was a. specialpageant and procession, which travelled five miles through the streets, and was witnessed by thousands of people. For this procession one of the Institution's reserve Life-boats was sent down, and the Naval Authorities supplied the bands and arranged cars with special tableaux.

In Havant a special appeal was made and a Century Life-boat Day was held.

Emsworth held its first Life-boat Day.Southampton.

Southampton, like Portsmouth, cele- brated the Centenary in a variety of ways—a Century Life-boat Day, a Dance Matinee at the Grand Theatre, which was given to a crowded house, an Invitation Concert at the Palace Theatre, a Sale of Work and a Life-boat Fete at Rownhams.

Other Celebrations.

Aldershot held a Centenary Ball, under the patronage of the Commander- in-Chief, and a Grand Assault at Arms.

Andover held a Century Life-boat Day.

Basingstoke held a Centenary Meeting, a Century Life-boat Day and a Bazaar, and a Special Appeal was issued by the Mayor.

Fareham held several meetings and a Century Life-boat Day with a procession, and a Century Life-boat Day was held in the neighbouring villages.

Lymington held a Centenary Meeting, a lecture with films at the theatre and a Century Life-boat DayRingwood held a Bazaar and a Dance.

Romsey held a Century Life-boat Day and a Centenary Fete, which was a great success.

Winchester held a Century Life-boat Day, and a Special Centenary Appeal was issued by the Mayor, resulting in £100 being raised.

Isle of Wight.

Cowes, Ventnor, Shanklin, Sandown and Newport all held Century Life-boat •Days, which were a great success. In addition, Cowes had a Children's Party and Entertainment, and a Centenary Ball organized by the Ladies' Life-boat Guild.

Shanklin held a Centenary Meeting and special services in the churches.

Ventnor held a Centenary Dance.

Lake held a Century Life-boat Day which raised a record sum for villages in the South-West of England.

OXFORDSHIRE.

Centenary Meeting.

Oxford.

The Centenary Meeting was held, in the Hall of Wadham College, on 8th February, with the Vice-Chancellor (Mr.

J. Wells) in the Chair, and the meeting was attended by the Mayor and members of the Corporation, the Member of Parlia- ment for the city of Oxford (Mr. Frank Gray), the High Sheriff of Oxfordshire, the Warden of New College, the Presi- dent of Magdalen, the Provost of Worcester, the Rev. Dr. Sherwood (Vice- President of the Branch), the Rev. W. M.

Merry (Hon. Treasurer), and Miss Alice Marshall (Hon. Secretary).

The speakers were Captain Sir Herbert Acton-Blake, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O. (De- puty-Master of Trinity House, and a member of the Committee of Manage- ment), Mr. George F. Shee, M.A. (Secre- tary of the Institution), Father C. C.

Martindale, S.J., Captain W. B. Bruce, C.B.E., R.N.R. (ret.) and the Mayor.

The Vice-Chancellor, in opening the meeting, said that no more appropriate place could have been found in Oxford for a Life-boat celebration, for Wadham was the only college that had'on its books one of the great names of the English Navy—Admiral Blake. Their colleges were, in a very real sense, national institutions, and it was one of the chief glories of Oxford that it had always reflected the mind of a very large section of the English people. It was only right, therefore, that the University should give its help to another so truly English and national an institution as the Life-boat Service.

Miss Alice Marshall, in making hei annual report, said that for nearly a quarter of its century the Life-boat Service had had the support of Oxford, and in that time Oxford's contribution had amounted to over £11,000.

Sir Herbert Acton-Blake, in moving the Centenary resolution of gratitude to Coxswains, Crews and Honorary Workers, said that it was sometimes asked why the Life-boat Service was not charged on the national fnnds. In his opinion, the work would be efficiently done by the State, but it could not be done so economically, and to hand the service over to the State would effec- tively stifle the magnificent gratuitous effort of the people who at present manned and maintained the Service.

That in itself would be a tremendous loss.

In seconding the resolution, Mr.

George F. Shee described how the Institution came to be founded, spoke of the enormous developments made in the course of a century, and paid a tribute to the immense services of the Honorary Workers of the Institution.

Father Martindale, in moving the resolution pledging support for the future, said:— " The very existence of the Life-boat Institution is an element in our national education. Small children, living no- where near the sea, hear about it in their thousands, and are captivated by its romance. Children respond naturally to the gallant and chivalrous. I heard lately of a little girl, not educated in Christian traditions, who saw a crucifix.

' Who,' she said, ' is that man ? Is it St. George 1 ' And she kissed its feet.

Defrauded of any knowledge of the Master, she had heard of and had been inspired by the servant; the narrower example had captivated her when the infinite romance, the divine love story, had been forbidden to exercise its spell.

I notice those fine, robust Nonconformist hymns—that I hope are still sung in many parts of the country—use by preference Life-boat and railway symbol- ism to stimulate those who sing them.

Thus, from childhood the imagination is taught that self-sacrifice is possible, and that hero'ism is taken for granted, even, at due hours, in ourselves. This nation- ally educative role of the Life-boat would be halved if the Institution ceased to be at once national and voluntary. Here, at" any rate, is something which must remain national, and not be nationalised, nor ever sink into being a mere depart- ment." In the romance of the Life-boat two elements do not change—one, the eternal yet incalculable sea, and the other, that magnificent type of man that this Service not only claims, but pro- duces. Portraits and photographs dis- played during these one hundred years show that the type has remained true to itself, not only the fine oaken physique, the build of man who does not refuse to face winds, as one of them said, ' that gnaw at your face,'' or icy seas that make the very tears seem to warm the cheeks they trickle down—but also the same open, cheery, good and spiritual ex- pression to be found in men who ap- preciate home and all that it stands for, but will risk it all for the sake of their fellow-men. What do they know of those they go to rescue ? Nothing, save that they are their fellow-men, made in God's image. Therefore, for the sake of the preservation and multiplication of so fine a breed of man, for the sake of our children and their training in un- selfishness, for our own sake—that we may keep alive our belief in the existence of unselfishness and our readiness to supply some of it in our own persons— for the sake of the noblest part of human nature all the world over, and in grati- tude for the divine act that saved a shipwrecked world, I ask you whole- heartedly to support the Life-boat Institution." Thanksgiving Service.

A Thanksgiving Service was held in the Cathedral on 3rd March, arranged by the Dean of Christ Church. The Mayor, accompanied by the Deputy Mayor, the Member of Parliament for the city of Oxford, the Sheriff and members of the City Council, attended in state, and the University was repre- sented by the Vice-Chancellor (Mr. J.

Wells). The service was conducted by the Precentor (the Rev. Claude Wil- liams), and the sermon was preached by the Rev. A. W. Gough, Prebendary of St. Paul's. Taking as his text, " Love endureth all things: Love never faileth," Prebendary Gough said: " We are thankful for the work of the Life-boat Service because the lives saved are lives of a special worth. Those that go down to the sea in ships are, in some respects, above the common average of our race.

They represent the spirit which made our race great. They carry on with all their might, striving against the brutal, hostile forces of Nature. It is in that kind of striving that races get the be- ginning of their greatness, and it is in their willingness to maintain the struggle that they continue to be great. These are precious people. Would that we had more of them in England to-day.' We are weaker than we should have been, for hundreds of thousands of such lives were lost in the war. Let us take care of the brave men and women who remain, and those who are served by the Life-boat. . . . May there never fail to be in this old England of ours a spirit that thrusts forth human life upon adventure in a great cause . . . and let those who live more sheltered lives keep the courage and adventure and the generosity of our fathers." Other Celebrations.

Oxford was visited by the Teesmouth Motor Life-boat as described elsewhere.

On 10th October a Century Life-boat Ball was held in the Town Hall, and on 18th October Century Life-boat Day, which raised nearly £160.

Banbury held a Century Life-boat Day.

SOMERSET.

Burnham-on-Sea.

On March 4th there was a Masked Fancy Dress Ball, and this was followed by a Century Life-boat Day in August with a launch of the Life-boat and a procession through the streets. The Day was concluded with a Dance at the Town Hall, and the Roundabouts and Fun Fair on the Front gave a part of their takings to the Institution.

Watchet.

A Life-boat Week was organized at Watchet with a sale of badges, a concert, a Life-boat Display, and numerous competitions. Part of the proceeds of the Fun Fair on the Front was given to the Institution, and collections were made at Dunster Show and Wivelis-' combe Sports.Other Celebrations.

_ _., Bath raised a record sum by its Life- boat Day, and made a number of smaller efforts including an appeal for subscribers and a small Bazaar.

5s.

At Bridgewater, a Ladies' Life-boat Guild was formed, and a Centenary Meeting was held, followed by a Whist Drive.

Chard issued a special appeal, and held a Century Life-boat Day.

Glastonbury held a Centenary Meeting, at which the Countess Waldegrave spoke, and twenty-seven new members were enrolled for the Ladies' Life-boat Guild, and a Century Life-boat Day. 1 Taunton had a meeting and a special appeal.

Wells had a meeting, addressed by the Countess Waldegrave; sent out a special appeal; and held a Life-boat Day.

Yeovil issued a special appeal. A Century Life-boat Day was held which raised a record sum. A concert, a lantern lecture and a Century Life-boat Day with a procession, were held in the neighbouring villages.

Clevedon, Frome and Minehead held Century Life-boat Days.WILTSHIRE.

At Bradford-on-Avon the Chairman the eouncil organized the celebrations which consisted oi an entertainment with Life-boat Films at the Alexandra Picture Theatre, and a Century Life-boat Day. This was the first Day held at Bradford-on-Avon, and, as a result, the Branch has raised a record sum.

Chippenham held a Centenary Meeting and a Century Life-boat Day, which not only raised a record sum, but was the only street appeal made for a charity which showed an increase on previous years.

Salisbury held a Centenary Meeting which was addressed by Sir Godfrey Ba?-nS Bt' (Chalrman of the Committee of Management). A special appeal was made for subscriptions. A Century Life-boat Day was held, and a Dance and a Whist Drive in outlying districts.

Devizes, Swindon and Warminster all held Century Life-boat Days, and Trowbridge a football match.

Channel Isles.

At Guernsey, Century Life-boat Day was held in conjunction with the Regatta, and the St. Peter Port Lifeboat was launched. Collections were also made in the places of amusement..