THE annual report of the North and South Holland Life-saving Society for 1926 contains the following account of an arduous service by the new Motor Life-boat Brandaris stationed at Terschelling: " On receipt of a communication from the coast-guard that rockets were being fired W.N.W. of the Eierland lighthouse, the Brandaris left on Wednesday, ICth March, at 5.30 a.m. during a storm from the N.N.W. In spite of the immensely high sea the Brandaris behaved splendidly. In the Stortemelk (Spilt Milk), however, she shipped a heavy sea as a result of "which the Master's platform was set back. The distorted stanchions were straightened again as far as possible, after which the vessel rounded the west until the Eierland tower was bearing south-east, after which the Eierland grounds were observed. The vessel then proceeded in a more westerly direction to the position indicated, namely, tower E.S.E.

Not observing anything there, the .Brandon's, proceeding E.N.E. and through the Stortemelk and right over the Boomkensdiep, and through the Schuitengat, returning to the harbour, where she arrived at 3 p.m. During her progress through the Stortemelk, with the sea aft, oil was employed to abate the fury of the waves. In view of the exceptionally high seas during this very heavy storm a great deal was accomplished by the crew during this trip. It lasted 9| hoars, during which time the motors ran splendidly.

The consumption of oil was 198 litres.

Although no rescue could be accomplished, yet it was possible to confirm that the Brandaris, with her reliable Rromhout Motors, showed herself suitable under very difficult conditions for the work that is to be expected from her." Establishing Communication by Aeroplane.

The following is an extract from the report for 1926, of the South Holland Society for Saving the Shipwrecked: " The Society gave its co-operation in conjunction with the Military Air Service, the Municipal Medical Service of Rotterdam, and the Voluntary First Aid Brigade of Hook of Holland, in organizing a demonstration of lifesaving on the Dutch Coast, on the 10th September, at Hook of Holland, for the members of the Third International Congress of Life-Saving and First Aid in case of accidents. To the great interest of the numerous members of the Congress, among whom were many foreigners, the beach Life-boat Emile Robin was launched, and it was shown how, by means of the line-throwing mortar, communication is established between shore and ship, for which purpose a mast with rigging had been erected on the foreshore.

" This demonstration was also used for carrying out an experiment in order to ascertain how far it is possible to establish such communication with the help of an aeroplane. After having been warned by telephone, an aeroplane of the Military Air Service left the flying grounds at Waalhaven and within a few minutes reached the scene of the wreck, represented by two rowingboats anchored at sea at a distance of 300 metres from the coast. A line 500 metres in length had been paid out from the aeroplane, provided at its end with a ' manche ' (air bag) which kept the line taut. Having arrived above the wreck, the aeroplane, which had, in the meantime, descended to a height of about 50 metres, released the attached end of the line which was provided with a float. The line, dropping down practically taut, established communication between the ship and the shore on which the air bag dropped. Owing to the splendid manoeuvring of the pilot of the aeroplane, the experiment, -which, was carried out- under favourable weather conditions, was entirely successful." Germany's Record: Methods of Collecting.

THE following are extracts from the report for the year 1926-1927 of the German Life-boat Society.

" Our Stations came to the rescue in the case of 14 wrecks and rescued 50 persons, thus bringing up the total of the number saved by the Society since its foundation in 1865 to 5,084.

" Our Stations in the year under review were 118, of which 77 were on the eastern sea and 41 on the North Sea.

61 are double Stations, provided with a Life-boat and Rocket Apparatus, 42 are Life-boat Stations only, and 15 are Eocket Stations only. We have 10 open boats provided with motors and 8 decked Motor Life-boats, including the three new Motor Life-boats, the Hindenburg, with twin screws, and the Bremen and Hamburg with a single screw. These three boats have been placed respectively at Borkum,, Norderney and Friedrichskoog.

" We are glad to be able to report a very satisfactory increase in the amount collected by means of our Life-boat Collecting-Boxes, and we gladly accept the suggestion of the Oldenberg Branch to recommend to all OUT workers to develop the use of these collecting-boxes as widely as possible, and especially to have them placed at suitable hotels and inns with the request that the managers should draw the attention of visitors to the collecting-boxes and ask for support. The best and safest foundation for our financial strength is, however, the regular subscription list, even if the amount subscribed is small.

Eor even the small contribution links a subscriber in a permanent way with our important work. We therefore strongly recommend this means for the strengthening of our financial organization and the furtherance of our national work.

" The propagandist film, which has been mentioned several times in our Annual Report, has been notably improved, and it is held at the disposal of our workers. A very valuable publicity effect may be expected from the presence of our models, charts and pictures in the Shipbuilding Hall of the German Museum at Munich. A splendid position has been allotted to our Society through the kindness of the President of the Museum, and the distinguished marine painter Herr Glaus Bergen has most generously presented us with a large painting descriptive of a rescue by a Life-boat. This picture is placed in a prominent position above our exhibits." (Supporters of the Institution may be reminded that Mr.

W. L. Wyllie, R.A., one of the most distinguished of our marine painters, has many times placed Ms great talents at the service of the Institution, which holds several pictures from his brush and owes to him the beautiful drawing of the House Flag of the Institution which replaced the dreadful beer-bottle badge which used to disfigure our boats !—EDITOR, The Lifeboat)..