IT is very pleasant to be able to record that this Competition is growing both in popularity and in the extent to which schools in every part of Great Britain are taking part in it. Unfortunately, owing to the political situation, the participation of Ireland, which was fully secured in 1918, 1919 and 1920, was in abeyance in 1924. Then, in 1925, the North of Ireland again took part, but we have not yet succeeded in getting into touch with the schools in the Free State, although that Government readily accorded us permission to communicate with the schools, a list of which they were, however, unable to provide. We have good reason to hope that next year this difficulty will have disappeared.

Meanwhile, the work of attempted rescue carried out on the Galway Coast (as described elsewhere in this issue) in close co-operation between the j j District Inspector of Life-boats for i ! Ireland, officers of the Free State, and j Irish fishermen and boatmen will, no j doubt, lend a special impetus to the : interest which the boys and girls of the Free State schools will take in the Life- boat Service.

This year 1,508 schools took part in the competition as compared with 947 last year. Once again, of the six | districts into which the country was | divided, the North of England comes j easily first with 502 schools competing, | as compared with 279, the South of England is again second with 349, as compared with 210, and the Midlands is again third with 275, as compared with 175, while Scotland takes fourth place instead of fifth as last year, with 193, as compared with 65—all notable and most encouraging increases. London takes fifth place instead of fourth with 147, as compared with 160. In the North of Ireland 28 schools competed, 1 less than last year, and in Wales, which has so far been a disappoint- ment, only 14 as compared with 29.

For the purposes of the competition Ireland and Wales are treated as one district. The figures, as a whole, are very encouraging, and we hope that next year we shall see them still further increased.

The Six Winning Essays The survey of the winning essays in each District emphasizes the impression already received in regard to the high standard attained by the boys and girls in elementary schools in spelling, punc- tuation, hand-writing and general neat- ness. On the other hand, there is still the tendency referred to in our quota- tion from a report in The Lifeboat of November, 1925, to use language beyond the normal scope of a child's own voca- bulary, and a temptation to indulge, or to try to indulge, in fine phraseology, so that some of the essays rather remind one of a child dressed in the dis- carded garments of its older brother or sister, patched here and there with "purple," — and other vivid colours.

At the same time, the winning essays, as a whole, give evidence of a great deal of thought and obviously sincere ap- preciation of the Life-boat Service, not only from a material, but even from a moral, point of view.

In the present instance, the subject perhaps lent itself to such treatment rather more easily than the subjects given in the past, being " The qualities that make a good Life-boatman." Such a theme has the advantage of enabling the child to think out its opinions instead of memorising a series of facts.

On the other hand, it might have the disadvantage that a child with a quick memory might be able easily to absorb the address given by the school teacher, and perhaps clothe its ideas in the teacher's phraseology. As, however, the teacher will, according to the rules of the Competition, have given an address on the Life-boat Service based upon the notes for such an address provided in every case, without knowing what the subject of the essay would be, the danger of a transfer of the teacher's own views with regard to the qualities that make a model Life-boatman, ex- pressed in the teacher's own language, should have been avoided.

The Best Essay.

We have selected as the best essay sent in from any part of the United Kingdom that written by Brenda Darlington, aged nine years and six months, a pupil of Summerbank Girls' School, Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent. This essay was sent in as the best among all those submitted by the schools in the Midlands, and the very competent judge who selected the essay stated that " it is considerably the best without allow- ing anything for the youthfulness of the author." Allowing for the age of the author, there can be no hesitation in awarding the essay the special prize for the best in the whole of the British Isles, and we warmly congratulate both Brenda Darlington and the Summerbank Girls' School on a really notable achieve- ment. It is, however, only fair to Stanley Cocks, aged fifteen, who is at the head of the Southern District, to say that his admirable essay would, without this handicap, have run Brenda Darlington's very close, if not actually beaten it.

The winning essay is printed else- where, and it may speak for itself. It will be seen that it shows a quality of thoughtfulness and a grasp of the essentials of the subject which are rare, even among the essays of the older children, and remarkable in the case of a child of nine and a half. It is not surprising that there are quaint touches here and there, as in the suggestion that the " Life-boatman's appetite must be good to keep his body in good condi- tion." Physiologists may, perhaps, sug- •gest that this is putting the cart before the horse, but no doubt the Life- boatman will agree with Brenda that he will certainly think there is something radically wrong if his appetite fails. We are not quite so sure that all Life- boatmen will accept her ruling that " he must abstain from alcoholic bever- ages so that there is no danger of his strength being even temporarily weakened." We are not going to open a discussion on temperance, still less on prohibition ! But it is clear from many of the essays that the advocates of temperance — or prohibition ! — have made a profound impression on the minds of the children in the elementary schools.

Stern Daughters.

One little girl lays down a series of Rhadamanthine rules which would forbid the Life-boatman not only the slightest drop of alcoholic refresh- ment or sustenance, but even the pipe, except on rare occasions, and then only if he is a healthy man. The same essayist lays great stress on the Life- boatman being an industrious and thrifty man who belongs to a reliable saving society. We confess that our sympathy goes out to " Dad," coming in tired and perished with cold from his daily war- ring with the elements, but not daring to take even a drop of beer under Janet's stern eye; while if he glances at his tobacco pouch he must first get a certificate of health from his stern but loving mentor. We are not quite sure that her strong approval and admiration of the qualities which make him a good Life-boatman will entirely reconcile him to the rigid dietary prescribed by his anxious and loving daughter. Speaking for ourselves, as strictly moderate in the matter of both alcoholic stimulants and tobacco, we confess to a feeling of relief— horribly selfish, it is to be feared—that the editorial role lies in a less heroic sphere, and that, consequently, we are not called upon to live on the high plane which Janet and Brenda and many of their girl competitors would demand of the Life-boatman.

Apart from the general excellence of Brenda Darlington's essay, we note that she makes two points which give proof of real thoughtfulness with regard to the subject in hand. While, like all the essayists, she lays stress on the readiness of the ideal Life-boatman to risk his life j for others, she sees that he must, | nevertheless, be " far-seeing enough not to throw it away unnecessarily." Again, he must be prepared to act either as leader or as a subordinate, a quality which every Life-boatman will recognize as involving precisely the type of character required in members of a Life-boat crew, who must be ready to " pull together " in every sense of the word, and accept the orders of the Coxswain with the utmost promptitude and subordination of self.

A Word Maker.

We have already referred to the very attractive essay by Stanley Cocks, aged fifteen, of Reedham Orphanage, Purley, Surrey. This lad writes with great vigour and wealth of language. As is generally the case with youthful writers, ! he is a little too fond of the descriptive j adjective, and we hear " the whining tem- pest," see the billows tossing and foaming around " the littered wreck," ajid are blinded with " dazzling flashes of light- j ning." But if our essayist is fond of j adjectives he has presented us with one of the best nouns it has yet been our fortune to meet, and we should like to shake hands with the creator of " British stickability " as the foremost quality of the true Life-boatman. We have met " stickums " for something that sticks well, like glue or seccotine, but " stick- ! ability " is wonderful. It is not only j descriptive of the " bull-dog" grip which Stanley Cocks uses as a synonym for it. It is onomatopoeic, and calls up not only the tenacity of fletched teeth, but the impregnable exterior of the fretful porcupine. We would say to Stanley Cocks, " We thank you for that word." Nor must we overlook another substantive which this essayist applies as an adjective when he says: " His heart must not fail him, his mind must not become haze (sic), his head must not turn dizzy. No ! He must keep every sinew and muscle alert, always ready to do his duty well and willing" ; and he winds up an excellent essay with the words : " We may safely summarize the Life- boatman as a capable, strong, confident man. No ordinary fellow will do for a member of this brave communion of voluntary fishermen. He must be a Scout in nature, though not in name." We feel sure that Sir Robert Baden- Powell would rejoice at the way in which the lessons he has taught have been absorbed by Stanley Cocks, as by so many thousands of British boys and girls.

Space does not allow of any detailed reference to the other winning essays.

But we cannot help being impressed with the atmosphere of philosophic thought which pervades the best essay from north of the Tweed. Indeed, we should have " placed " this essay as coming from Scotland even if we had not been | informed of its origin, from New Milns | Higher Grade School (Ayrshire). In the course of some experience as an educationalist we have always been struck by the way the Scotch boy or girl j approaches a subject. There is always an attitude of philosophic detachment, finding vent in " wise saws and modern instances " before our little philosopher j comes to the point, and deals with it faithfully and in strict accordance with logic. The essay in question, by the way, that of Jessie Welden, is excellent, and runs those of Brenda Darlington and Stanley Cocks very close.

We are glad to note in Edward Weller's essay, Droop Street, L.C.C. Boys' School, Paddington, W. 10, an apprecia- tion of a point of view which has not been so generally seized by the pupils, namely, the impersonal and international character of the services rendered by the Life-boat Crews.

" Every man of the crew," writes Edward Weller, " must be prepared to sacrifice his life for somebody else's if the chance comes. He must not stop to enquire whether the man or woman he is about to save is good or bad, rich or poor ... So beside great courage, a sense of self-sacrifice is needed to produce a model Life-boatman." * A Life-boat Poem.

Occasionally competitors illustrate their essays, and occasionally they are moved to rise for a few lines into verse.

This year, a London boy, L. Johnson, of Essendine Road School, Paddington, instead of writing an essay has given us a picture of the Life-boatman entirely in verse. His poem could hardly be judged with the essays, but it is so good that we are not only quoting it in full, but have decided to award Mm a special certificate.

The Life-boatmen are big and strong, A sturdy crew indeed, They fear not perils of the sea, Like all true British breed.

The British coast is dangerous, Surrounded by black rocks, But Lifeboatmen are always born To take life's many knocks.

These men are truly hearts of oak, To face the mighty deep, But often they are killed and fall Into a lasting sleep.

Every person, old or young, Should spare a moment's thought To Britain's sturdy Life-boatmen, By whom great deeds are wrought.

Our readers will agree that these verses are a remarkable effort on the part of a boy of eleven years of age, especially as they must have been written on the spur of the moment while sitting in the classroom immediately after hearing the title of the essay. We are particularly struck by the fact that this boy shows a real instinct for English words. It will be noted that there is hardly a single word of the four verses which is even indirectly of Latin origin. They are all good, stark, strong English nouns, adjectives and verbs.

We feel that the education authorities in Paddington are to be congratulated on the teaching of English in the Essendine Koad School. For, even allowing for very considerable poetic talent in the writer of these verses, he must have absorbed a love and appreciation of our splendid English tongue from those who teach in the School. A boy who can, at the age of eleven, write of Life- boatmen who ..." are killed and fall Into a lasting sleep " shows that he possesses not only a vivid imagination but a gift of poetic language which gives promise of con- siderable achievement in the future.

Of the other essays, many deserve comment and quotation, if there were space for it, but we must content our- selves with one or two general reflections, and the quotation of a few of the more striking ideas and phrases.

Courage, endurance, calmness, skill n seamanship, knowledge of the coast, physical strength—upon these qualities most of the writers are agreed. Some are careful to draw a distinction between physical and moral courage, and one thoughtful essayist followed this with an explanation of the difference between real and " Dutch " courage. And what is the proof of real courage in the Life- boatman ? A great many, if not the majority of the writers were agreed that the Life-boatman shows it most sig- nally by his readiness to leave his warm bed in the middle of the night.

" These men," as one emphatically said, " think noughthing (sic) of getting out of bed in the night," while another referred to this as proof of the fact that " A Life-boatman's life is by no means honey." Yet another made what seems to us a very wise comment on courage, and one often forgotten, when he wrote : " The men must be ready to face minor discomforts." More than one essayist insists on the value of patience. " It takes patience and boldness to rescue stupid people," and more than one, again, demands a spirit of self-sacrifice which, if it animated the whole Service, would leave us no Life-boatmen at all. " The most real and sensible Boatman saves people's lives and loses his own life," and another : "If a Life-boatman goes with the intention of coming back alive, he is not a good Life-boatman." Unexpected Qualities.

Some of the qualities demanded are very unexpected. Several essayists differing from Caesar, who expressed his dislike and mistrust of those with " a lean and hungry look," insist on the value of slimness. " They should be thin! Fat men might crowd or sink the boat." " The Life-boatman," says another, " needs to wear light clothes and be graceful in his gait," while yet another points out that " a person who is afraid of cold water will not do for a Life-boatman, but must be fond of a good soaking." Finally, a boy who, we fear, must be a sufferer himself, begins his essay by saying " A man who wants to be a good Life-boat- man must be brave and not subject to colds," and ends it: " If a man wants to be a Life-boatman he must be a man who does not suffer from throat trouble or catarrh "—brave boy to face that word ! — and adds : " Life-boatmen generally have beards to keep their throats warm." Women and the Life-boats.

A number of essayists have evidently felt (and we heartily sympathize with them) that though the subject was the qualities of the Life-boatman, it was ungallant and unfair to say nothing about the magnificent work of the women. " In the olden days," so writes one London boy, " women were thought fit for nothing but housekeep- ing. That was a very wrong idea, although men are superior to women." Our gallant women on the North East Coast have evidently succeeded in winning reluctant admiration from one who would otherwise have been a hearty despiser of the " weaker " sex.

Another essayist not only refuses to ignore the women but makes a gallant and ingenious attempt to bring them into the strictly masculine limits of the subject. After giving knowledge, bravery and endurance as the first three qualities required he goes on, " The fourth quality, if one can call it a quality, is a sterling wife, a woman who is as plucky and courageous as her husband, a woman who will assist him to do his duty nobly, a woman who will be a help and not a hindrance." When the writer of that essay comes to the married state, may he find such a " fourth quality " for himself ! We are loth to leave the subject of these entertaining essays, but leave it we must. We do so with a few quota- tions from some of the quainter of the many original reflections which we have found:— " The men who are in the Oxford and Cambridge Boat race would not be good for Life-boatmen because the Thames is not like Sea." " On goes the Life-boatman saving lives and ships, and would go on for ever if our Lord did not take his life." " The Life-boatman must be patient yet firm with those that are drowning." " He needs great strength when great sharks or such dangerous fish as that might bore a hole in the vessel." " He must think nothing of his own life, but others as precious pearls." " If any man goes to get on to the Life-boat before any women he is shot dead." " Lastly, I think that a man thus exposed to such grave danger should live a clean respectable life, for he never knows when he may be called away to a land where Life-boats are un- necessary." " The Life-boatmen must be courage- ous because, as the old proverb says, ' Faint heart never won fair lady.' " " At the seaside you would see the Life-boatmen and their boats sailing up and down and keeping an eye on the bathers." " The Captains do not pick men who have smartly brushed shoes, and coloured ties and socks." " Crimes have been committed all over the world, but he who scorns or laughs at the gallant work of the men who man the Life-boats is too evil for prison." " To climb alone a rope fastened between the Life-boats and a sinking ship, over a foaming sea is a very trying ordeal." The Winning Schools.

Of the six schools which have won the Challenge Shields none has previously held it, and it is even more remarkable that not one of these schools appears at all in the lists of last year's winners. In London a Paddington school wins the Shield for the first time; in the North of England a Yorkshire school wins it for the first time; in the Southern District a Surrey school wins it for the first time. In the Midlands, as last year, it is a Staffordshire school that heads the list, and it is noteworthy that this is the fourth time in the six years that a Staffordshire school has won the Shield in the Midlands. It is also noteworthy that on two of these four occasions (1918 and now 1926) it has been won by a Stoke-on-Trent school, each time with an essay—in 1918 by a boy, in 1926 by a girl—which was the best not only in the Midlands but the whole country.

It is very interesting to see what an even balance is again kept between the sexes. Rather more than half of the 210 names on the list are girls, and it is only in Ireland and Wales that there is any noticeable preponderance, the girls there numbering twenty-one to fourteen boys. Of the six winners of Challenge Shields, four are boys and two girls, but the girls have restored the balance by winning the special prize for the best essay in the whole country. This special prize has now been won three times by girls and three times by boys.

Help of the Teachers.

As in previous years it is a pleasure to acknowledge the kindness of the Education Authorities, who not only gave permission for the competition to be held, but in a number of cases dis- tributed the particulars of it to the schools, and most cordially to thank the teachers for their invaluable help.

I hope that next year both Education Authorities and teachers will show the same generous interest in the competi- tion.

Below will be found the list of success- ful competitors in each district, in order of merit, and after the lists Brenda Darlington's essay. She will be pre- sented with a certificate recording the fact that her essay was the best in the British Isles, and with a copy of the five guinea edition of " Britain's Life- boats," by Major H. J. Dawson, signed by the Prince of Wales. Each of the other five who head the lists for the districts will receive a copy of the ordinary edition of " Britain's Life- boats " and a certificate recording that this was the best essay in the district.

The remaining 204 boys and girls in the lists will each be presented with a certificate.

The name of the winner in each district will have his or her name inscribed on the District Challenge Shield, and the school will hold the shield for the next year. If it is won by the same school three years running it becomes the property of the school, but so far no school has succeeded in doing this. As, however, it has been repre- sented that the schools which hold the Challenge Shields would like to have a permanent record of their success, it is proposed to present to each of these six schools a copy of the certificate awarded to the pupil.

List of Successes in the Essay Competition.

LONDON DISTRICT (County Council Area).Name. Age.

Edward Welter . . . . 14 C. Jewell 11 Lila Marsh . . . . 12 Daisy Ellen Watson . . 14 Miranda Harmer . . . j 13 J Ivy Radmall 11 J Vera Beatrice Cox . . . I 14 Barbara Olley . . . . 13 Evelyn Wilkins . . . . 14J W. Smith . . . . 13 Alfred Clark 13 Marjorie Ramsden . . . 13 Leslie Barker . . . . 12 Gladys Deane . . . . ! 14 R. Wilson i 10 School.

Droop Street Boys' School, Paddington, W. 10.

Raywood Street School, Battersea, S.W. 8.

St. Mary's Girls' School, Newington Butts, S.E. 11.

Salter's Hill Girls' School, West Norwood, S.E. 27.

Bell Street Senior Girls' School, Edgware Road, Marylebone, N.W. 1.

Park Walk Girls' School, Chelsea.

Rosendale Road School, Dulwich, S.E. 21.

St. Mary's Girls' School, Newington Butts, S.E. 11.

Ellerslie Road School, Shepherd's Bush, W. 12.

Droop Street Boys' School, Paddington, W. 10.

Amberley Road School, Paddington, W. 9.

Glyn Road Girls' School, Clapton, N.E.

The " Stockwell " Church of England Mixed School, Lingham Street, Stockwell, S.W. 9.

Christ Church Girls' School, Union Grove, Wandsworth Road, Clapham, S.W. 8.

Flora Gardens School, Hammersmith, W. 6.LIST OF SUCCESSES— LONDON DISTRICT— continued.

Name.

Irene Polling Rose Kitchener . . . .

Charlotte Hills . . . .

Cyril Gilder . .

Ethel Smith F Boileau . . . .

William L. Cardy . . .

H. Eaton Maude Morris . . . .

G Giddins Charles Shears . . . .

John Shortland . . . .

Herbert Ernest White .

Name.

John McKenzie . . . .

John Whittam . . . .

Harry Taggart . . . .

George Taylor . . . .

Joyce Fletcher . . . .

Gladys Powell . . . .

Edith Patterson . . . .

Eric Farley Alfred Toole Margaret A. Brocklehurst .

Andrew C. Rutter .

Mary Rigby Mary Berryman . . . .

Dorothy Scott . . . .

John Banks . . . .

Maurice Long . . . .

Hetty Isbovitch . . . .

Robert James . . . .

Albert Campbell . . . .

Ruth Byrom Thomas Bickle . . i .

Stathy Papageorge . . v Hilda Plumbley . . . .

Minnie Hamshaw Age.

14 13 13 12 12 13 14 11 13 13 9 11 12 12i 11 13 13 10* 12 13 NO Age.

ion 14 13 13 13 13 13 13 14 13 13 13 14 13 12 141 12" 12 14 8ft 13 13 13 13 13 12 13 School.

Credon, Road Girls' School, Rotherhithe New Road, S.E. 16.

Ellerslie Road School, Shepherd's Bush, W. 12.

St. Thomas' Mixed School, Edwards Mews, Duke Street, W. 1.

Green Coat Girls' School, Camberwell, S.E. 5.

Brewhouse Lane School, Wapping.

Royal Hill Boys' School, Greenwich, S.E.

Christ Church Girls' School, Union Grove, Wandsworth Road, Clapham, S.W. 8.

Walnut Tree Walk Boys' School, Lambeth, S.E. 11.

Credon Road Girls' School, Rotherhithe New Road, S.E. 16.

The Lavender Hill Boys' School, Amies Street, S.W. 11.

Bostall Lane Girls' School, Abbey Wood, S.E. 2.

Chisenhale Road Boys' School, Bethnal Green, E. 3.

Fulham Central School for Boys, Childerley Street, Fulham, S.W. 6.

The Lavender Hill Boys' School, Amies Street, S.W. 11.

Green Coat Girls' School, Camberwell, S.E. 5.

Archbishop Sumner's Memorial Boys' School, Reed- worth Street, S.E. 11.

Shelburne Road Boys' Council School, Islington.

Scarsdale Road School, Camberwell, S.E. 5.

Holmes Road Boys' School, Kentish Town, N.W. 5.

Kennington Road School, S.E. 11.

RTH OF ENGLAND.

School.

Selby Abbey School, Yorks.

Westoe Central Girls' School, South Shields.

Worsthorne St. John's Church of England School, Lanes.

Derker Higher Standard Centre, Oldham.

Demesne Road School, Douglas, I.O.M.

Windy Nook Council School, Gateshead.

Greystones Intermediate School, Ecclesall, Sheffield.

Trinity District School, Wavertree, Liverpool.

Longmoor Lane Council School, Liverpool.

Cherry Grove School, Chester.

Springfield Senior Council School, Sale, Cheshire.

Bold Heath Church of England School, Widnes.

North Sunderland Council School, Northumberland.

St. Mark's Church of England School, Scarisbrick.

Crank Hill Church of England School, St. Helens, Lanes.

Walton Church of England School, Liverpool.

St. Mark's Church of England School, Scarisbrick.

Sugley Church of England School, Lemington-on-Tyne.

Vine Street Wesleyau School, Liverpool.

Western Council School, North Shields.

Lower Withington Church of England School, Chelford Cheshire.

Much Woolton Church of England Girls' School, Liverpool.

New Seaham Council School, County of Durham.

Spring Gardens School, North Shields.

Western Girls' School, North Shields.

Witton Girls' School, Northwich.

Church of England Girls' School, Rawmarsh.LIST OF SUCCESSES—NORTH OF ENGLAND—continued.

Name.

Letitia Thorpe Noel Rutledge Lancelot Whittall Blanche Williams Albert Vickers R. G. Clough . .

Herbert Spencer .

Walter Sutton Age. School.

13 Goldthorpe Girls' Council School, Rotherham, Yorks.

12 I St. Wilfrid's School, Northwich.

11 Christ Church Upper School, Hulme Street, Salford.

14 Marlborough Road Council School, Hightown, Salford.

13 j Oxton School, Birkenhead.

13 ; St. Paul's Church of England School, Adlington, Lanes.

14 Duchess Road Council School, Sheffield.

13 Abbeydale Council School, Sheffield.

MIDLANDS.

*Brenda Darlington Robert Stamp George Hunt .

Albert James Winifred Hawkins .

Norman Cole .

Lewis Tott . . .

Arthur Wilkins .

Herbert Spencer .

Kathleen Dewey Leslie Edwards .

Jesse Vickers Millicent Bromley Frank Thomas Brown Alfred Powell. . .

Reginald Eastwood .

Thomas Young .

Wendy Birt . . .

Phyllis Galbraith Lily Buxton .

Phyllis Lanks Francis Mullen Fred Morris .

Annie Gregson .

Gwen Smith . . . .

Blanche Terrington .

Daisey Padbur}' .

Ronald Maker Marjorie Lyddon Millicent Crumby Mary Florence Marshall Sydney Lester Mabel Jackson George McKenlay Fanny Smith Age.

13 11 13 11 12 13 13 11 13 13 12 12 12 12 13 11 11 14 13 14' 14 14 13 13 13 12 11 9 13 13 12 13 12 Summerbank Girls' School, Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent.

St. John's Boys' School, Great Grimsby.

Burmington Church of England School, near Shipstonon- Stour.

Harpfield Boys' School, Stoke-on-Trent.

Chellaston Council School, Derby.

Guns Village Boys' School. West Bromwich.

Montgomery St. Boys' School, Birmingham.

Southam Boys' Council School, Southam.

Ironville Boys' School, Nottingham.

Bardon Hill Church of England School, Leicester.

Bardon Hill Church of England School, Leicester.

Northwood Church of England School, Hanley, Stokeon- Trent.

Florence Council Girls' School, Longton.

Powick School, near Worcester.

Oakley Road School, Birmingham.

Alma Street Council School, Aston, Birmingham.

Far Cotton Council School, Northampton.

Rose Green Senior Mixed School, St. George, Bristol.

Wesleyan School, Goxhill, Lines.

Church School, Gedling, Nottingham.

Horfield Girls' School, Horfield Common, Bristol.

Rose Green Senior Mixed School, St. George, Bristol.

Kidsgrove Boys' Church of England School, Stoke-on- Trent.

Stanton Church of England School, near Ashbourne, Derbyshire.

Netherton Council Girls' School, Dudley.

Burlington Street Girls' School, Birmingham.

Burmington Church of England School, near Shipstonon- Stour.

Temple Colston Boys' School, Victoria Street, Bristol.

North Somercotes School, Lines.

Surfleet Seas' End School, Spalding.

Church of England School, Diseworth, near Derby.

Endowed School, Stamford.

Colmore Road Girls' School, King's Heath, Birmingham.

Church of England Boys' School, King Street, Melton Mowbray.

Ingoldmells Council School, Skegness.

The beat essay in Great Britain and Ireland.LIST OF SUCCESSES— continued.

SOUTH OF ENGLAND.

Name.

Stanley Cocks Philip H. Stoneleigh . .

D. Hooper Allan Shaw Wright . . .

Stanley Payne . . . .

Ruth Robinson . . . .

Winifred M. Bradshaw .

Fred Money .

Elizabeth O'Regan .

Laurence A. Dunn .

William A. Runnalls Dorothy Cray . . . .

Henry W. W. Stevens . .

Doreen Palmer . . . .

Cyril Arthur Nice V. Wheeler . . .

Harry F . Cripps . . . .

Harry L. Worrell Freda Hobbs Frederick Cole . . . .

P. E. Linden Henrietta J o y . . . .

Marjorie Fraser . . . .

Victor Archard . . . .

Audrey Tipper . . . .

Frederick Roberts William Davis . . . .

Philip Woods . . . .

Isobel Rowbotham .

Edna Pope Hilda Chapman . . . .

Doris Claydon . . . .

Name.

Jessie Welden . . . .

Nellie S . Inkster . . . .

Robert P. Robertson Edith M. Munro . . . .

Christina Hastings .

Norman Morrison Mary J. Georgeson .

William Black . . . .

Age.

15 161 14 11 14 15 13i 14 15 14 13J 14 13 13 14 13 13 14* 14 12J 12 13 13« 14 15 14 13 14} 14 lift Hf 13 13 12 12 Age.

8 13 124 13 12 13 13 15 11 13 School.

Reedham Orphanage School, Purley, Surrey.

St. Mary's Boys' School, Arragon Road, Twickenham Middlesex.

Lordship Lane Boys' School, Wood Green, N. 22.

Heston Mixed School, Heston, Middlesex.

Coppermill Road Boys' School, Walthamstow, E. 1.

Girls' Council School, Broadstairs.

Dudden Hill Girls' School, Willesden Green, N.W. 10.

Holmesdale British School, Holmesdale Road, Reigate.

Winton and Moordown Council Boys' School, Bournemouth.

Hollywell Council School, Upchurch, near Sittingbourne, Kent.

Miteham Links Council School, Tooting Junction, S.W. 17.

Dulverton Church of England School, Dulverton, Somerset.

Portsea Free School, Portsmouth.

Vicarage Lane Boys' School, East Ham, E. 6.

Milton Girls' School, Portsmouth.

St. Mary's Higher Grade School, Folkestone.

Courthill Mixed School, Courthill Road, Parkstone, Dorset.

Highland Road Boys' School, Portsmouth.

Oldfleld Boys' School, Wells Road, Bath.

Priory Church Girls' School, Christchurch, Hants.

The Catholic School, Chelmsford, Essex.

St. Paul's School, Brentford, Middlesex.

Flitwick Council School, Bedfordshire.

St. Denys Girls' School, Southampton.

St. Antony's Boys' School, Khedive Road, Forest Gate, E. 7.

Circus Girls' School, Surrey Street, Landport, Portsmouth.

Harbledown Church of England Mixed and Infants' School, Canterbury, Kent.

St. Charles School, Brentwood, Essex.

Campsbourne Girls' School, Hornsey, N. 8.

Islington (Blackpool) School, Newton Abbot, Devon.

Church Boys' School, Ilfracombe, N. Devon.

St. Anne's School, Bucks Cross, N. Devon.

Doddington Council Schools, March, Cambs.

Allen's Green County Council School, Sawbridgeworth, Herts.

Holy Trinity School, Selhurst, S.K. 25.

SCOTLAND.

School.

Newmilns Higher Grade School, Newmilns, Ayrshire.

Egilahay Public School, by Kirk wall, Orkney.

Ollaberry Mixed Public School, Shetland.

Sciennes Central School, Edinburgh.

Foyers Public School, Inverness.

Comely Park School, Falkirk.

East Plean Public School, Stirlingshire.

Skeld School, Reawick, Shetland.

Laxfirth Public School, Brettabister, Shetland.

Westside School, Kilmacolm, Renfrewshire.LIST OF SUCCESSES— SCOTLAND— continued.

Name. Age.

Leckie Marshall . . . . i 12 Agnes L. D. Birrell . . . 13 Florence Bennett . . . 13 Richard Cock 14 William Burns Ritchie . . 13 Barbara M. Heddle . . . , 13 David Dempster . . . . ! 12 Gladys Scott . . 14 Rita Geddes . . . 13J Hugh Morrison . . . . 14 Bertha M. Sandison . . . 14 Isabella Davidson . . . 12 Thomas F. Arthur . . . 1 4 Helen McGowan . . . 14 Amelia Button . . . . 1 3 Maurice Anderson . . . 14£ Bruce A. Chalmers . . . 10 Thomas Gavin . . . . 1 3 Alex. McNaught . . . . 14 Ena McKinlay . . . . 13 Catherine Sutherland . . 14 May Hutcheon . . . . 13 Annie Wallace . . . . 14 IRE Name. Age.

William J. Sands . 1 4 Helene Macalliater . . . 10 Sadie Scott . . 1 4 Idris Perry 13f Winifred Neeson . . . 13J Annie Thayers . . . . 14 Betty Williams . . . . 10 Mary Callan 14 Cecil Silcock . . . 14J William J. Ireland . . . 13 William Jenkins . . . . 12J William J. Greer . . . 14 Lloyd Jenkins . . . . 13 Lily Wilkinson . . . . 14 Nancy McLaughlin . . . 14J Rex Thompson . . . . 11 James McClelland . . . 14 Beatrice Adamson . . . 10 Jane Irene Morgan . . . 12 Evelyn Smythe . . . . 13 Haizle Edwards . . . . 14 David Hogg 12J Maggie Whyte . . . . | 13 School.

Chryston Higher Grade School, Chryston, Lanarkshire.

Airth Public School, Larbert, Stirlingshire.

Bonnington Road Public School, Leith.

King's Road Public School, Rosyth.

King's Road Public School, Rosyth.

North Fort Street Public School, Edinburgh.

So. Walls Public School, Longhope, Orkney.

West School, Kirkcaldy, Fifeshire.

Public School, Kelso, Roxburghshire.

East Plean School, Stirlingshire.

Thrumster Public School, Wick, Caithness.

Ollaberry Mixed Public School, Ollaberry, Shetland.

Hay Public School, Hay, Orkney.

Laxfirth Public School, Brettabister, Shetland.

West Side School, Kilmacolm, Renfrewshire.

Abbotshall Public School, Kirkcaldy, Fifeshire.

Mearns Public School, Newton Mearns, Renfrewshire.

Kirkston Primary School (Rural), Hawick, Roxburghshire.

Dunnikier Public School, Kirkcaldy, Fifeshire.

Niddrie Public School, Edinburgh.

Arrochar Public School, Tarbet, Loch Lomond.

Latheran Public School, Caithness.

Darnow Public School, Kirkcowan, Wigtownshire.

St. Cyrus Public School, near Montrose.

Houston Public School, Houston, Renfrewshire.

.LAND AND WALES.

School.

Donaghcloney P.E. School, Lurgan, Co. Armagh, Lakefield Road Girls' School, LJanelly.

Skeogh Public Elementary Girls' School, Dromara, co.

Down.

Abersychau Vic. Girls' School, Abersychan, Mon.

Dromore Public Elementary Girls' School, Dromore, co. Down.

Trostrey, Bettws and Kemeys Church of England School, near Usk.

Cathedine National Provided School, Bwlch. S.O., Brecs.

Belix Public Elementary School, Plumbridge, co. Tyrone.

M'Quiston Senior Public Elementary School, Donegall Pass, Belfast.

Palantine Public Elementary School, Doagh, Antrim.

Craig-yr-Eos Boys' School, Penygraig.

Orritor Public Elementary School, Cookstown, co.

Tyrone.

National School, St. David's, Pembs.

Belmont Girls' School, Strandtown, Belfast.

Duncrun Public Elementary School, Bellarena, co.

Londonderry.

Dunbar Memorial School, Banbridge, co. Down.

St. Luke's Public Elementary School, Belfast.

Windsor Hill Girls' School, Newry, co. Down.

Council School, Llanon, Cardigan.

Duncairn Girls' School, Belfast.

Marloes National Provided School, Milford Haven.

Ebrington Public Elementary School, Londonderry.

Orritor Public Elementary School, Cookstown, co.

Tyrone.LIST OF SUCCESSES—IRELAND AND VALES—continued.

Name.

Muriel E. Reid . .

Joseph Devlin Frederick Henderson Harry Hughes May Nelson . . .

Catherine Millican Alexa G. Woods .

Ivy Simpson .

Sarah E. Williams Mary J. McKenna Edmund C. Arnold Alexander Quinn.

Age.

13 15 15 14 13 11 14 12 13 15 14 13H School.

Grange Public Elementary School, Portadown, co.

Armagh.

Ballylifiord Public Elementary School, Moneymore.

Dundrod Public Elementary School, Crumlin, Antrim.

Cathedral Boys' School, Londonderry.

Vis. Ban Public Elementary School, Killough. co. Down.

Aghadowey Public Elementary School, Aghadowey, co.

Down.

Annaghmore Public Elementary School, Portadown, co. Armagh.

Kitchener Road Girls' Council School, Cantor, Cardiff.

Girls' Church of England School, Denbigh.

Convent High School, Middletown, co. Armagh.

Laurelvale Public Elementary School, Crumlin, co.

Antrim.

Moyallan Public Elementary School, Portadown, co.

Armagh..