The "Splendid" Poor.

LIFE-BOAT Day was held throughout Greater London on 20th May, except in Baling, where it was held on 27th September. The Day was organized by the Central London Women's Com- mittee of the Ladies' Life-boat Guild in the City, Westminster arid St. Maryle- bone and by the Branches throughout the area, and they had the help of many of the Mayoresses of the London boroughs, well-known society people, actors and actresses. The Lady Mayoress herself collected in the streets in the City ; the Mayoresses of Acton, Ber- mondsey, Chelsea, Croydon, Deptford, Baling, Fulham, Greenwich, Ilford, Kingston, Lambeth, Paddington, Rich- mond and Westminster either organized or personally helped in the appeal in their own boroughs; and actors and actresses from five companies in the West End collected in the streets.

Exhibition of Models.

The Science Museum at South Ken- sington arranged a special exhibition of its Life-boat models—sixteen being shown, illustrating the development of Life-boats from the pulling boat Original, built in 1789, to the Motor Life-boats of to-day—and this exhibi- tion was continued for the week.

Life-boats were stationed at Croydon Town Hall and at Tottenham Town Hall, where the Chairman of the Tot- tenham Council organized the appeal, and the public were allowed to go over the boats.

During the week the Mayor of Ham- mersmith made a special and personal appeal at the theatres and cinemas in Hammersmith, which he visited with Mr. John T. Swan, Coxswain of the Lowestoft Life-boat from 1911 to 1924, who holds the Institution's Gold Medal for gallantry, its Silver Medal with a Second Service Clasp, and the Medal of the Order of the British Empire.

Coxswain Swan spoke at eight theatres and cinemas, and was also on board the Life-boat stationed at Tottenham Town Hall.

At Baling on 27th September a Life- boat was stationed outside the Town Hall. Colonel the Master of Sempill, a member of the Committee of Manage- ment, took part in the Day, being received by the Mayor and Mayoress, and spoke from the Life-boat.

The total sum raised on these two days was £5,378, as compared with £4,567 in 1929.

No Buttons.

Not only was the contribution larger, but this year, for the first time, the Institution's bankers reported that they found no buttons in the collecting boxes when they counted the money! On the other hand, there was such a variety .of foreign coins that the money changers themselves were unable to identify all of them.

One collector, who was stationed in the hall of one of the most expensive hotels, reported that a man staying in the hotel gave her half a crown—and asked for 2s. id. change ! But the spirit in which the public responded is best shown in a letter from another collector who wrote : " Some of the really poor have been just splendid.

For that reason I'd rather do East London than any part.".