Presentation of Medals and Other Awards.

GREAT YARMOUTH AND GORLESTON.— On 14th March a meeting was held at the Coliseum, Great Yarmouth, at which the Mayor presided, supported by Mr.

A. H. Cartwright, Chairman, Councillor Mrs. A. M. Perrett, Sir Francis Vincent, Bt., and Lady Vincent, Chairman of the Ladies' Life-boat Guild, Mrs. Cooper, one of the Honorary Secretaries of the Guild, and Mr. C. A. Cooper and Mr.

A. D. Snell, Joint Honorary Secretaries of the Branch. The Mayor presented Coxswain Fleming and the Crew of the Motor Life-boat with the Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum, which had been awarded to them for their share in the service to the Georgia on 21st and 22nd November last. The Silver Medal awarded to Coxswain Fleming was presented to him later at the Annual Meeting of the Institution in London by the Prince of Wales. Captain E. 8. Carver, R.D., R.N.R., the District Inspector of Life-boats, gave an account of the service, in which he had taken part on board the Southwold Motor Lifeboat, and referred to the great privations suffered by the Gorleston Crew, which had been out for 21 hours at the height of the gale. Coxswain Fleming was called on for a speech and said, " You know I don't care much about this job.

My heart is good, but my tongue is not willing at speechmaking. I do thank you one and all for the appreciation you have shown for us old Life-boatmen and our work. If anything comes along again I know we are always ready to do our best." SOUTHWOLP (SUFFOLK).—A special meeting was held on 30th March at the Southwold Cinema, with the Mayor, Councillor E. A. Allen, presiding, supported by Mr. Gervais Rentoul, M.P. for Lowestoft, and a member of the Committee of Management of the Institution, for the purpose of presenting to Coxswain Frank Upcraft the Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum which accompanied the Bronze Medal awarded to him for the service to the Georgia on 22nd November. Coxswain Upcraft had received the medal itself from the Prince of Wales at the Annual Meeting of the Institution two days before.

The Vellum was presented by Mr.

Rentoul, who congratulated the Coxswain and his Crew on the splendid share which they had taken in a remarkable rescue. Major E. R. Cooper, a former Honorary Secretary of the Station, gave a short history of the life-saving work which had been carried out by the Life-boatmen of Suffolk, and Captain E. S. Carver, R.D., R.N.R., the District Inspector of Life-boats, who went out in the Southwold Boat on the service to iheGeorgia, gaveanaccount of the service. He spoke in high praise of the Crew who had gone out at midday, many of them leaving without having a meal, and for 13 hours were battling with the seas in bitterly cold weather.

Annual Meetings: Station Branches.

BLACKPOOL.—On 26th March, Mr.

C. H. Turver, Chairman, presiding, supported by the Mayoress (Mrs. Lumb).

The report for the year ending 30th September, 1927, showed that £431 had been collected, as compared with £502 in the previous year. Councillor C. E. Tatham, the Honorary Secretary, thanked the Mayor and Mayoress for the hearty help and goodwill which they had given to the Life-boat Crew, and Mr. Turver thanked the Ladies' Lifeboat Guild for their work.

BLYTH (NORTHUMBERLAND).—On 14th January, Alderman G. E. Tynemouth, Chairman, presiding. The report for the year ending 30th September, 1927, showed that £330 had been collected, as compared with £282 in the previous year. The Chairman said that it was clear that they had been able to arouse great interest in the work of the Service in Blyth, and he specially congratulated the Ladies' Life-boat Guild on the energy which they had shown and the increased amount raised.

BRIDLINGTON (YORKSHIRE).—On 7th March, Colonel Y. G. Lloyd-Greame, J.P., President, in the chair. The report for the year ending 30th September, 1927, showed that the Life-boat had been out on two occasions, and that £273 had been collected, as compared with £259 in the previous year. Reference was made to the special letter of thanks which the Institution had sent to the Mayor, Alderman G. H. Gray, the Honorary Secretary of the Station, for his courageous action at a recent service, and the meeting gave him their special congratulations. Reference was also made to the excellent work of the Ladies' Life-boat Guild.

DOUGLAS (!SLE OF MAN).—On 23rd March, His Excellency the Lieutenant- Governor, Patron of the Branch, presiding.

The report for the year ending 30th September, 1927, showed that the Life-boat had been out once, and that £739 had been collected, as compared with £740 in the previous year.

DUBLIN.—On 5th March, Senator the Right Hon. Andrew Jameson, Chairman, presiding. At the end of 1927, of the 19 Life-boats on the coast of the Irish Free State, 7 were motor-driven, and Motor Life-boats had been approved for Fenit, Clogher Head, Helvick Head and Youghal, at an approximate capital cost, for the Boats alone, of nearly £30,000 During 1927 the Life-boats on the Free State coast had been laimched on service 14 times, had rescued 12 lives and saved 2 vessels. The Financial Statement for the year ending 30th September, 1927, showed that £974 had been collected, as compared with £926 in the previous year. Although nearly £8,000 was spent during 1927 on the maintenance of the Life-boat Service in Ireland the total contributed was under £5,000. In moving the adoption of the report Senator Jameson said he hoped that the appeal of the new Governor-General to make up as soon as possible the difference between the amount spent and the amount contributed would have a generous response. Mr. John Good, T.I)., in seconding, said that Dublin ought to contribute more than £1,000 towards the £8,000 required. Mr. David Barry, President of the Chamber of Commerce, suggested that collecting boxes should be sent to all the big city shops. He also said that Masters of ships coming into the port did little, and he suggested that the Harbour Master might direct attention to the matter.

EXMOUTH AND BUDLEIGH SALTERTON.

—On 3rd February, Captain A. B.

Grenfell, R.N., Chairman, presiding.

The report for the year ending 30th September, 1927, showed that £218 had been collected, as compared with £202 in the previous year. In presenting the report the Honorary Secretary, Captain W. H. Taylor, R.N., said that since a Life-boat had been stationed at Exmouth he did not think the Station had ever asked the Institution for any contribution towards its maintenance, and during the 13 years he had been Honorary Secretary, in addition to paying its way, the Station had sent something like £600 to the general funds of the Institution.

KINGSTOWN (DuN LAOGHAIRE).—On 7th March, the Reverend J. Pirn, B.D., presiding. The report for the year ending 30th September, 1927, showed that £181 had been collected, as compared with £179 in the previous year.

Mr. H. R. Tweedy, who had resigned the Chairmanship owing to ill-health, was thanked for his services to the Branch, and Captain Fosbery Holmes, R.N., was elected in his place.

LIVERPOOL.—On 28th February, the Lord Mayor (Miss Margaret Bevan), President of the Branch, in the chair, supported by Sir Godfrey Baring, Bt., Chairman of the Committee of Management of the Institution. The report for the year ending 30th September, 1927, showed that £3,660 had been collected as compared with £3,724 in the previous year, and the sum collected by the Ladies' Life-boat Guild had increased from £1,611 to £1,715. The thanks of the Committee were given to the Directors of the Canadian Pacific Steamships, the Cunard S.S. Company and the White Star Line for allowing collections to be made among the visitors to their vessels during Liverpool's Civic Week. The Lord Mayor, in proposing the adoption of the report, said that the story in the report of the service of the Moelfre Life-boat to the ketch Excel on 27th October, was the most thrilling story that she had ever read, and it must inspire all who read it to do everything possible to help such a Service. Mr. Charles Livingston, President of the New Brighton Station, said that he hoped to see a still larger sum collected next year. Mr. S. S.

Jerrett, Chairman of the New Brighton Committee, referred to the service to the s.s. Varand from which 42 lives were rescued by the New Brighton Motor Life-boat, and Sir Godfrey Baring expressed the warmest thanks of the Institution to the Branch and Ladies' Life-boat Guild. He was particularly glad to see that this year a Life-boat Day was to be held in Liverpool.

LYTHAM (LANCASHIRE).—On 23rd March, Mr. E. W. Mellor, J.P., Chairman, presiding. The report for the year ending 30th September, 1927, showed that £207 had been collected, as compared with £167 in the previous year. The Officers and the Ladies' Life-boat Guild were thanked for their services.

NEW BRIGHTON.—On 14th February, the Chairman, Mr. S. S. Jerrett, presiding.

The report for the year ending 30th September, 1927, showed that the Motor Life-boat had been out on two occasions, and that £13 had been collected, as compared with £23 in the previous year.

After the meeting the annual Hot Pot Supper to the Crew was held. At this Mr. Jerrett also presided, supported by the Mayor (Alderman Dr. McMillan) and members of the Committee. A concert followed the supper.

PIEL (BARROW).—On 13th January, the Mayor (Alderman C. G. B. Ellison), presiding. The report for the year ending 30th September, 1927, showed that £133 had been collected, as compared with £54 in the previous year, the increase being largely due to the newly constituted Ladies' Life-boat Guild.

In presenting the report Mr. J. M.

Mawson, the Honorary Secretary,pointed out that it had been a momentous year for the Branch as a Motor Life-boat had been stationed there, and a new Boathouse had been built at a cost of £14,000. The Boat itself, costing nearly £10,000, had been provided out of various legacies, but apart from the capital expenditure the upkeep of the Station would be much more than it had been. It had been about £75 a year, and the Committee appealed for more and, if possible, increased subscriptions.

RHYL.—On 20th February, Mr. J.

Pierce-Lewis, Chairman, presiding. The report for the year ending 30th September, 1927, showed that £289 had been collected, as compared with £238 in the previous year.

ST. ANNE'S-ON-THE-SEA.—On 20th March, Mr. S. L. Stott in the chair.

The report for the year ending 30th September, 1927, showed that £168 had been collected, as compared with £151 in the previous year.

SOUTHEND-ON-SEA.—On 24th January, Alderman Sir John Francis, J.P.

Chairman, presiding. The report for the year ending 30th September, 1927, i showed that £284 ha,d been collected, as compared with £223 in the previous year. The resignation of Mr. J. C.

Bruford, as Honorary Treasurer, was ! accepted with regret.

! SUNDERLAND AND DISTRICT.—On 13th j March, the Mayor (Alderman D. Cairns), President of the Branch, was in the chair supported by the Mayoress.

The report for the year ending 30th September, 1927, showed that the Lifeboat had been out on two occasions, and that £686 had been collected, as compared with £516 in the previous year. In presenting the report the Honorary Secretary, Captain Oliver, said that it was hardly satisfactory that they obtained the greater part of the Branch's revenue from Life-boat Day, the success of which so much depended on the weather.

WORTHING. — On 24th February, Councillor Major-General R. E. Vaughan, C.B., presiding, in the unavoidable absence of the Mayor. The Chairman was supported by the Hon. George Colville, Deputy-Chairman of the Committee of Management of the Institution, I Lt.-Col. A. F. Randolph, C.M.G., D.S.O., D.L., Chairman of the Committee, and Lady Louisa Cecil, Chairman of the Ladies' Life-boat Guild. The report for the year ending 30th September, 1927, showed that £528 had been collected, as compared with £624 in the previous year. Mr. Colville, in thanking the Branch for its support, said that Worthing was noteworthy among the Station Branches for its generous contribution.

During the last eight years it had collected no less than £4,000, and he was particularly glad to see that a large proportion had come from annual subscriptions. If only all towns subscribed as liberally as Worthing, the, Institution would find it an easy matter to raise the annual sum of £250,000 required to maintain the Service.

Annual Meetings: Financial Branches.

ABEBDARE VALLEY (GLAMORGANSHIRE.

—The first annual meeting of the Branch was held on 6th February, the High Constable, Mr. Gwilym Jones, President of the Branch, in the chair.

The report showed that £8 had been collected. The Chairman pointed out that the continued bad state of the coal industry had made it almost impossible to raise funds for the most deserving of charities, but he hoped that it would not be long before the Aberdare Valley was contributing its share to the Lifeboat Service.

ACTON AND CHISWICK.—On 7th March the Mayor (Mr. W. G. Middleton), President of the Branch, in the chair, supported by Sir Godfrey Baring, Bt., Chairman of the Committee of Management, the Deputy Mayoress (Mrs.

Orange), Mrs. H. A. Lytton. Vice- President, and Mrs. Brooke-Flatten, Honorary Secretary. The report for the year ending 30th September, 1927, showed that £83 had been collected, as compared with £71 in the previous year.

Addresses were given by Sir Godfrey Baring and the District Organising Secretary, and the meeting was followed by tea and a concert.

ALDERSHOT AND DISTRICT.—On 9th January, Councillor E. A. Underwood, J.P., Chairman of the Branch, presiding.

The report for the year ending 30th September, 1927, showed that £128 had been collected, as compared with £3 in the previous year. Mr. D. Llewellyn Griffiths and Mr. J. Constant were thanked for their services as Joint Honorary Secretaries, and Mr. Griffiths' resignation was accepted with regret.

BRADFORD.—On 24th January, the Lord Mayor, President of the Branch, in the chair. The report for the year ending 30th September, 1927, showed that £1,900 had been collected as compared with £1,975 in the previous year.

In moving the adoption of the report, the Lord Mayor congratulated the city on the remarkable contribution which it was making to the Life-boat Service, and Sir William Priestley, Chairman of the Branch, in seconding, said that the Institution gratefully recognised the generous help which it was receiving from Bradford. - CARDIFF AND PENARTH.—On 15th February, Mr. A. H. Hauaer in the chair, in the absence of the Lord Mayor (Alderman A. J. Howell), President of the Branch. The report for the year ending 30th September, 1927, showed that £264 had been collected, as compared with £291 in the previous year.

Just after the close of the Financial Year, another £194 was received from the Branch, so that it had collected, during the year £458. Mr. Hauser, on behalf of the Lord Mayor, made a special appeal for the balance of £11,000 needed to complete the cost of the two Motor Life-boats at Barry Dock and The Mumbles, presented by Glamorgan to the Prince of Wales as President of the Institution.

CITY OF LONDON.—On 29th February, the Lord Mayor (Sir Charles Batho), presiding, supported by the Hon. George Colville, Deputy Chairman of the Committee of Management, and Alderman Howell, Chairman of the Branch. The report for the year ending 30th September, 1927, showed that £9,601 had been collected, as compared with £8,972 in the previous year. The Lord Mayor said that he had a very pleasant recollection of the time when he was a member of the Committee of the Branch, and he trusted that the work of the City for the Life-boat Service would be carried on for many years to come.

Alderman Howell, in moving the adoption of the report, spoke of the gratitude which the Branch felt to the Lord Mayor for his services when he had been a member of the Committee, and said that he hoped that the Branch would go on increasing its contribution as it had done in 1927. He expressed the thanks of the Branch to Mr. W. B.

Chapman, C.C., for making an appeal to the textile trade, and said that he hoped it would be continued. Mr. Colville seconded the motion.

COVENTRY.—The Annual Meeting of the Guild was held on 21st February, Mr. George F. Shee, M.A., Secretary of the Institution, in the chair. The report for the year ending 30th September, 1927, showed that £54 had been collected, as compared with £77 in the previous year. Mr. Shee then presented to Mrs. Walter Beamish, Honorary Secretary and Treasurer of the Ladies' Life-boat Guild, the Vellum signed by the Prince of Wales recording the fact that she had been elected an Honorary Life Governor of the Institution, an honour which was given only in recognition of long and exceptionally devoted service to the Institution, and which had been conferred on only eleven other people.

A meeting was held on the same evening, at which Alderman A. H.

Drinkwater, Chairman of the Branch, presided, and at which Mr. Shee gave an address on the work of the Institution, in the course of which he said that he was sure that Coventry's work for the Institution would be continued by the younger generation, which had such fine examples of public service at the head of their Committee.

On 29th February, the Annual Meeting of the Branch was held, the Mayor (Alderman F. Lee), President of the Branch, in the chair, supported by Alderman Drinkwater and Mrs. Beamish.

The report for the year ending 30th September, 1927, showed that £146 had been collected, as compared with £342 in the previous year. The report stated that the Committee deeply regretted that the amount collected was considerably less than in lecent years, and pointed out that owing to very bad weather the Life-boat Day had realised only £83, as compared with £274 in the previous year. The Mayor congratulated the Branch on the enthusiastic way in which its appeals were carried out, and spoke of his satisfaction in seeing that the expenses were kept as low as possible. Alderman Drinkwater referred in particular to the splendid help given on Life-boat Day by the City Fire Brigade, and the District Organising Secretary pointed out that the example of the Coventry Brigade had now been followed by Birmingham.

| j DARLINGTON.—On 7th March the Mayor (Councillor S. Hard wick), President of the Branch, in the chair.

The report for the year ending 30th September, 1927, showed that £216 had been collected, as compared with £131 ; in the previous year. An address on i the work of the service was given by the District Organising Secretary, who congratulated the Branch on its increase.

DURHAM.—On 8th March, the Mayoress (Mrs. Lynch), one of the Presidents of the Branch, in the chair, supported by the Mayor, the other | President. The report for the year ! ending 30th September, 1927, showed that £75 had been collected, as compared with £84 in the previous year. An address was given by the District Organising Secretary, and it was decided that a Life-boat Day should be held in the summer, and a Whist Drive in the autumn.

HENLEY AND DISTRICT (OXFORDSHIRE).

—On 21st February, Lieut.- Commander P. H. Bulnois, R.N., Chairman of the Branch, presiding. The | report for the year ending 30th September, 1927, showed that £123 had been collected as compared with £142 in the previous year. Although it had been impossible to hold a Life-boat Day, subscriptions and donations had increased.

Altogether during the four years of its existence the Branch had raised £674. The chairman made a special appeal for an increase in the number of annual subscribers.

HULL AND DISTRICT.—On 30th March, Colonel Stracey Clitheroe, in the chair, in the unavoidable absence of the Lord Mayor (Alderman H. Dean), one of the Presidents of the Branch. The Lady Mayoress, the other President, was among those present. The report for the year ending 30th September, 1927, showed that £734 had been collected, as compared with £541 in the previous year. The Honorary Secretary, the Reverend R. T. Newcombe, M.C., in presenting the report, said that although Hull was among the twenty best Branches of the Institution, he thought that it could do still better, as at present the money came from a mere handful of people. An address was given by the District Organising Secretary, wTho congratulated the Branch on its increase.

HYDE (CHESHIRE).—On 9th March, the Mayor (Councillor A. Shaw, J.P.), one of the Presidents, in the chair, supported by the Mayoress, the other President of the Branch, and the Chief Constable. The report for the year ending 30th September, 1927, showed that £29 had been collected, as compared with £33 in the previous year. An address was given by the District Organising Secretary, and the Mayor said they must consider how to increase their support of a Service which was vital to the country.

INVERNESS.—On 24th February, ex- Provost Petrie in the chair. The report for the year ending 30th September, 1927, showed thaf £122 had been collected, as compared with nearly £90 in the previous year. The Honorary Secretary, Mr. Duncan Mackintosh, in presenting the report said that the most important event of the year had been the formation of the Inverness Ladies' Life-boat Guild. Inverness having contributed a sum of over £100 now had the right to representation on the Scottish Life-boat Council, and he felt sure that with the help of the Guild they would have no difficulty in maintaining that right.

MACCLESFIELD (CHESHIRE).—On 19th March, Mr. Robert Brown, J.P., Chairman, presiding, supported by the Mayoress, one of the Presidents of the Branch. The report for the year ending 30th September, 1927, showed that £133 had been collected, as compared with £120 in the previous year. It was announced that Life-boat Day had been arranged to take place in May, that collections would be made in the mills and workshops and that the Mayor would sign an appeal for subscriptions.

MANCHESTER, SALFORD AND DISTRICT.

—On 27th February, the Lord Mayor (Mr. W. Davy), President of the Branch, in the chair, supported, among others, by the Mayor of Salford (Mr.

A. Williamson), Sir Godfrey Baring, Bt., Chairman of the Committee of Management, Dr. Hewlett Johnson (the Dean of Manchester), Sir William Milligan, M.D., Chairman of the Branch, and Sir Edwin Stockton, J.P., Honorary Secretary. The report for the year ending 30th September, 1927, showed that £4,499 had been collected as compared with £4,132 in the previous year. Of this sum £1,006 had come from subscriptions and donations, £470 from works collections, over £300 from collections in places of amusement, £742 from the collections organised by the Ladies' Life-boat Guild, and £1,944 from Life-boat Day.

In moving the adoption of the report Sir Godfrey Baring said that the great success of the Branch was due to the fact that it had the support of all classes.

NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE.— On 9th March, the Deputy Lord Mayor (Dr. R.

W. Simpson) presiding. The report for the year ending 30th September, 1927, showed that £510 had been collected, as compared with £144 in the previous year. Of this sum £325 had been raised by Life-boat Day. In presenting the report the Honorary Secretary, Mr. F. J. Crawley, the Chief Constable, said that the list of subscribers was increasing, and welcomed Mrs.

Patterson, who had previously been Honorary Secretary of the Ladies' Life-boat Guild at Durham, and had now accepted the same office in Newcastle.

He hoped that with her help the work of the Guild would be greatly developed. An address was given by the District Organising Secretary, who congratulated the Branch, and in particular the Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer, on the way in which the Branch's work had been revived.

OLDHAM.—On 22nd February, the Mayor (Councillor E. H. Shorrocks), President of the Branch, in the chair.

The report for the year ending 30th September, 1927, showed that £246 had been collected, as compared with £315 in the previous year. The Life-boat Oldham, stationed at Abersoch, had been out once on service during the year. The District Organising Secretary thanked the Branch for its excellent work.

OXFORD.—On 3rd February, Sir Michael Sadler, K.C.S.I., Master of University College, presiding. Among those supporting him were the Mayor (Alderman W. M. Gray), Colonel Sir Henry McMahon, G.C.M.G.. G.C.V.O., K.C.I.E., C.S.I., and the Right Hon.

F. 0. Koberts, M.P., members of the Committee of Management of the Institution, Miss Alice Marshall, late Honorary Secretary of the Branch, Lieut.-Col. N. E. Swann, R.E., Honorary Secretary, and Mr. George F. Shee, M.A., Secretary of the Institution.

The report for the year ending 30th September, 1927, showed that £781 had been collected, as compared with £907 in the previous year. Sir Henry Mc- Mahon, Mr. Roberts and Mr. Shee all paid tributes to the work of the late Honorary Secretary of the Branch, Miss Alice Marshall, who had retired at the end of the Branch Financial Year.

PETERBOROUGH.—On 15th February, Lady Winfrey, President of the Branch, in the chair. The report for the year ending 30th September, 1927, showed that £100 had been collected, as compared with £170 in the previous year.

It was announced that Mrs. Abington had taken over the duties of Honorary Secretary from Miss Swallow, and that Miss Swallow had become Vice-president.

PORTSMOUTH.—On 4th January, the Mayor (Councillor F. J. Privett, J.P.), President, in the chair, supported by the Mayoress, Sir Harold Pink, J.P., Chairman of the Branch, and Mr. George F.

Shee, M.A., Secretary of the Institution.

The report for the year ending 30th September, 1927, showed that £430 had been collected, as compared with £248 in the previous year. An address on the work of the Service was given by Mr. Shee, and the Mayor said that they were all determined to increase Portsmouth's contribution which, he considered, was by no means representative of the deep interest which the city must necessarily feel in the Life-boat service.

S A L T B U R N - B Y - THE - SEA (YORKSHIRE).

—On 15th March, Councillor Mrs.

Marshall, J.P., Vice-president in the chair. The report for the year ending 30th September, 1927, showed that £81 had been collected, as compared with £69 in the previous year. It was announced that a Dancing Matinee and an Open-Air Whist Drive would be held during the summer.

SOUTHAMPTON.—On 2nd February, Mr. C. J. Sharp, J.P., Chairman of the Branch, presiding in the absence of the Mayor (Mrs. Foster Welch, J.P.), President, who came on later from another meeting. The report for the year ending 30th September, 1927, showed that £1,003 had been collected, as compared with £916 in the previous year. Of this sum Life-boat Day raised £300 and the collections on the Isle of Wight Steam Packet Company's steamers £171. The Mayor presented a certificate won by a Southampton girl in the Life-boat Essay Competition last year, and in referring to the report said that the work of the Institution was dear to the heart of every man, woman and child in the country. An address on the work of the service was given by Captain Basil Hall, R.N., late District Inspector of Life-boats.

SOUTHPORT.—On 27th March, the Mayor (Councillor J. G. Wilkinson) presiding. The report for the year ending 30th September, 1927, showed that £511 had been collected, as compared with £585 in the previous year.

Of this sum £470 had been collected by the Ladies' Life-boat Guild. The' District Organising Secretary expressed the Institution's thanks to the Branch and the Guild for their work during the year.

SOUTH SHIELDS.—On 6th February, Captain Bruhn in the chair. The report for the year ending 30th September, 1927, showed that £155 had been collected, as compared with £225 in the previous year. The Branch was thanked for its work by the District Organising Secretary.

SOWERBY BRIDGE (YORKSHIRE).— The Annual Meeting of the Guild was held on 21st February, Mrs. Bethune in the chair. The report for the year ending 30th September, 1927, showed that £2 had been collected, as compared with £8 in the previous year. Special efforts are to be made to increase the Branch's contribution.

SIR JOHN FRANKLIN (SPILSBY) BRANCH (LINCOLNSHIRE).—On 10th March, Colonel C. A. Swan, C.M.G., presiding.

The report for the year ending 30th September, 1927, showed that £60 had been collected, as compared with £53 in the previous year. It was decided to hold a meeting at Alford in order to revive the work of the Life-boat Service there, and to carry out a Lifeboat Day in May.

SWANSEA.—On 16th February, the Mayor (Councillor T. W. Howells), President of the Branch, in the chair, supported by the Mayoress. The report for the year ending 30th September, 1927, showed that £215 had been collected, as compared with £222 in the previous year. In moving the adoption of the report the Mayor said that the sum raised last year was much below their record year, and he hoped that their support of the Life-boat Service, in which a great port like Swansea ought to take a special interest, would greatly increase in the future.

TRURO.—On 9th February, the Mayor (Mr. R. K. Worth) presiding. The report for the year ending 30th September, 1927, showed that £84 had been collected, as compared with £59 in the previous year. The sum raised last year was a record, but the report said that much still remained to be done and no effort would be spared until the Branch was raising £100 a year. An address on the work of the Service was given by the District Organising Secretary.

WARRINGTON AND DISTRICT.—On 23rd March, Mrs. Ralph Johnson presiding.

The report for the year ending 30th September, 1927, showed that 12 had been collected, as compared with £160 in the previous year. An address was given by the District Organising Secretary, who congratulated ;he Branch on its increase.

WREXHAM AND DISTRICT (DENBIGHSHIRE).

—On 26th February, the Mayor (Mrs. S. Edwards), President of the Branch, in the chair. The report for the year ending 30th September, 1927, showed that £49 had been collected, as compared with £104 in the previous year. In proposing the adoption of the report the Mayor said that the Life-boat Day had been ruined by a 24 hours' downpour of rain, and that the decline in the proceeds of the day from £92 to £28, accounted for the decline in the total revenue. It was not surprising in these circumstances that a smaller sum had been collected, but it was surprising that any collectors should have been able to work at all on such a day.

Special Meetings.

BURNLEY.—A special meeting was held on 31st January at the residence of the Bishop of Burnley, Dr. Henn, on the invitation of the Hon. Mrs.

Henn, at which some 30 ladies were present, and it was unanimously decided to reconstitute the Ladies' Life-boat Guild. The following officers were elected, President, Mrs. Macnamara, Vice-Presidents, The Hon. Mrs. Henn, Mrs. Lancaster and the Mayoress, Honorary Treasurer, Mrs. Heap, and Joint Honorary Secretaries, Mrs. J. H.

Watson and Mrs. Butler.

CAMBRIDGE.—On 26th January, Miss Ramsey gave an At Home at the Master's Lodge, Magdalene College, on behalf of the Ladies' Life-boat Guild, and entertained about 60 guests. The •Vice-Chancellor was present and introduced Sir Godfrey Baring, Bt., Chairman of the Committee of Management of the Institution, who raised enthusiasm by his speech, describing the bravery and loyalty of the crews of the Lifeboats.

Later a number of undergraduates sang Sea Shanties. This very enjoyable party added many new annual subscribers to the Branch, and realised the sum of £20.

DUBLIN.—Her Excellency Mrs. James MacNeill, wife of the Governor-General of the Irish Free State, presided at a meeting which was held on 2nd April for the purpose of forming a Ladies' Life-boat Guild. Mrs. MacNeill made a special appeal, in the course of which she said: " Last year nearly £8,000 was spent on the Life-boat Service in Ireland, while the amount collected was under £5,000. This state of affairs is regrettable, and I hope it will shortly be remedied. I ask for support for this work, as a humane and charitable work—a work of national importance; and because the gallant self-sacrifice of Irish Life-boatmen, who risk their lives voluntarily to save others, is an inspiration we can all fully appreciate." A resolution in favour of forming a Guild was proposed by Lady Myles, seconded by Lady Walker, and carried unanimously, and Mrs. MacNeill was elected President. A Vote of Thanks to Mrs. MacNeill was proposed by Senator Andrew Jameson, Chairman of the Branch, and seconded by Major A.

Whewell, Chairman of the Special Effort Committee. In replying Mrs. MacNeill said that she gladly placed any influence that she had at the disposal of the ladies of Dublin for the excellent objects of the Guild.

BALING (MIDDLESEX).—At the invitation of the Mayoress a meeting was held in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall on 8th February, at which Sir Godfrey Baring, Bt., Chairman of the Committee of Management of the Institution, gave an address on the work of the Service. At the end of his address he appealed to Baling to re-form the Life-boat Branch, and to support it generously. The Mayoress said that she took a very keen interest in the Institution, and that she had been very glad to be present.

FARNBOROUGH (HAMPSHIRE).—On 19th January a special meeting was held at which it was unanimously decided to form a Farnborough Branch as distinct from the Aldershot Branch.

Mr. F. C. Sandberg was elected Chairman and the Eev. Ehys Morgan, Honorary Secretary. It was resolved to hold a Life-boat Day early in the summer.

GRIMSBY.—A special meeting of the Ladies' Life-boat Guild was held on 25th March, Mrs. Rudolph McKane, President, in the chair. Mrs. McKane made a stirring appeal to all those present to join the Guild, and to do all in their power to make it known throughout Grimsby. This appeal was supported by the District Organising Secretary, who referred to the forthcoming visit to Grimsby of the Prince of Wales, the Institution's President, and said that it would be a graceful compliment to him if, when he came, he found a powerful Guild already in existence. Before the meeting ended over 30 new members had joined the Guild.

HACKNEY (LONDON).—On 23rd February, a special meeting was held in the Town Hall at the invitation of Lady Keymer, a member of the Central London Women's Committee of the Ladies' Life-boat Guild, at which Sir Godfrey Baring, Bt., Chairman of the Committee of Management, gave an address on the work of the Service.

Among those present were Lady Cooper, the Rev. N. A. Lash, M.A. (Rector of Hackney), and the District Organising Secretary for Greater London. Sir Godfrey Baring appealed to Hackney to increase its support of the Local Branch, and this appeal was supported by Lady Cooper and the Rector.

IPSWICH.—A special meeting was held on 6th February, at which the Mayor (Mr. W. Rowley Elliston) presided, and an address on the work of the Institution was given by the Hon.

George Colville, Deputy Chairman of the Committee of Management. The Mayor said that the people of Ipswich should be specially generous in their support of the Institution both because they had so much interest in shipping, and because of the very gallant work of the Life-boat Crews on the coast of Suffolk. Mr. Colville pointed out that no county had a finer record of rescuing life from shipwreck, a record which went back many years before the Institution itself was founded, to the days when, in 1807, Lionel Lukin, the London coach-builder, built for the Suffolk Humane Society a sailing Lifeboat which was the forerunner of the famous Norfolk and Suffolk Life-boat of to-day. The Suffolk Stations had rescued nearly 2,800 lives. The Institution had now given rewards for the rescue of over 61,000 lives, so that Suffolk Life-boats alone had saved nearly 5 per cent. Mr. Colville also pointed out that the Ipswich Branch now had a population of nearly 80,000, but while in the year of its foundation, 1866, it had collected £66, its contribution in 1927 had fallen to £17. He made an earnest appeal for an increased number of subscribers, the formation of a Ladies' Life-boat Guild, and for permission for a Life-boat Day to be held.

ROYTON (LANCASHIRE).—A special meeting was held on 29th March, with Councillor J. Schofield in the chair. The object of the meeting was to arrange for a Life-boat Day to be held, and there was a large attendance of ladies.

Councillor Schofield gave an account of the work of the Institution, and the Vicar, the Rev. W. Rowe, said that he had been in Royton f or ten years, during which time nothing had been done for the Life-boat Service, and he thought that it was high time that Royton should take its part in supporting this work.

Mrs. Travis and Mrs. F. Schofield were appointed Honorary Treasurer and Honorary Secretary respectively, and Committees were formed for each of the four wards of the town which will make its contribution to the Institution through the Oldham Branch.

TAUNTON.—A special meeting was held on 21st February under the auspices of the Taunton Rotary Club, with Mr.

Harold Nicholson, President of the Club, in the chair, supported by Captain A. G.

Warren, R.N., Honorary Secretary of the Taunton Branch. The object of the meeting was to re-organise the work of the Branch, and it was decided to hold a further meeting to discuss methods of helping the Institution. A Ladies' Life-boat Guild was formed, and Mrs. Dodson, and Mrs. Winckworth were chosen as Honorary Secretaries.

Entertainment of Crew*.

BERWICK-ON-TWEED.—The Annual Supper for the Life-boat Crew was held on 14th January, Commander H.

Lillington, R.N., a member of the Com- mittee, presiding, supported by Captain Gibsone, D.S.O., Honorary Secretary.

The supper was followed by a concert, and each of the guests was presented with a tobacco-pouch, cigarettes and tobacco. Among the toasts was " The Subscribers to the Supper and Mr.

Waite," who had collected the subscriptions for it for nearly fifty years.

FLAMBOROUGH.—Mr. C. Hartley, a member of the Committee, and Mrs.

Hartley entertained the officials of the Branch and the Crew to a dinner and smoking concert on 4th January.

NEWHAVEN.—The Annual Dinner to the Life-boat Crew, was held on 30th March. The Chairman, Mr. R. W.

Dewdney (Divisional Marine Manager, Southern Railway), presided, supported by Rear-Admiral T. P. H. Beamish, C.B., M.P. for the Lewes Division, and a member of the Committee of Management of the Institution, Major-General W. A. Watson, C.B., C.M.G., C.I.E., President of the Local Branch of the British Legion, and Major T. Hunton Carter, D.S.O., Chairman of the Newhaven Chamber of Commerce. In proposing the toast of the Institution, Major-General Watson said that the spirit of the Service was that the shores of Great Britain should be safe for those who approached them in friendship, under whatever flag they sailed. Admiral Beamish who replied, and who proposed the toast of the Crew, paid a tribute to their courage, and said that when he was next at Headquarters he would tell the Institution how keen were the people of Newhaven to help it in its work.

ST. ABBS (BERWICKSHIRE).—About 100 guests were present at the Annual Supper given by Miss Co we to the St.

Abbs Life-boat Crew and their friends on llth January. The supper was followed by a concert and dance, and Miss Cowe was warmly thanked.

SWANAGE.—On 10th February Mr.

and Mrs. F. W. Pond entertained the Life-boat Crew, the Crew of the Board of Trade Rocket Apparatus and the Crew of the Fire Brigade to Dinner.

The guests numbering about 140, and among those present were Major E. J.

Burt, President, and Mr. W. Powell, Honorary Secretary of the Branch.

Theatrical Performances.

ABERDEEN.—On 31st January and 1st February, the John Knox's Parish Church Dramatic Club gave performances of Jamie Fleeman, the Laird of Udny's Fool in aid of the Institution.

HULL.—The Annual Matinee arranged by the Lady Mayoress, was given on 22nd March at the Palace Theatre.

Artistes from the various Hull theatres and the Palaise de Danse Band generously gave their services, supported by the Palace Theatre Orchestra.

PLYMOUTH.—On 3rd, 4th and 5th January the Plymouth Boy Scouts gave performances of Captain Reginald Berkeley's The White Chateau at the Globe Theatre, Royal Marine Barracks.

These performances contributed £80 to the funds of the Branch.

On 26th, 27th and 28th January, the local Dramatic Society gave performances of Mrs. Dane's Defence, at the same theatre, which contributed over £50.

WESTERHAM (KENT).—On 20th February the Westerham Village Players gave performances of The Happy Man, played by children, Slightly Mixed and Five Birds in a Cage, in aid of the Institution. The plays were arranged by Mrs. C. F. Lucas, and the Drill Hall, where they took place, was packed.

Religious Services.

CROMER.—Life-boat Sunday was celebrated at Cromer on 4th March. The Vicar (the Rev. E. M. Davys) preached a Life-boat sermon at the evening service and offered a special prayer for the men of the Cromer Life-boat.

HENSTEAD (SUFFOLK).—The Annual Fisherman's Thanksgivings Services for the Harvest of the Sea were held on 1st January, at the Parish Church, the church being decorated with herring nets, fishing tackle, life-belts and flags.

The collection at the evening service was given to the Lowestoft Branch of the Institution.

(Continued on page 96.).