North Eastern and Irish Free State Districts.

A CONFERENCE of Honorary Workers in the North Eastern District was held at Bridlington on 18th September last. Representatives from thirty-six Branches and Guilds were present, and Mr. H. A. Baker, a member of the Com- mittee of Management, presided, sup- ported by Lieut.-Colonel C. E. Sat- terthwaite, O.B.E., Deputy Secretary of the Institution, and the District Organizing Secretary. Many of the delegates attended a reception given the evening before by the Mayor and Mayoress of Bridlington.

The Chairman, after thanking the Mayor and the Council for the welcome received, expressed the very cordial thanks of the Committee of Manage- ment to the delegates for the work which they were doing for the Life- boat Service.

Lieut.-Colonel Satterthwaite ex- plained the objects of the Conference, and said that the spirit shown by Life- boat Workers throughout the country made him far from pessimistic as to the future, in spite of the difficult times through which the country was passing.

A general discussion then took place on various items of propaganda, during which the following points were made :•—• The desirability of keeping a watch over expenditure on Special Efforts.

In certain types of Efforts, such as Concerts, Dances and Theatricals, ex- penditure was greater than in others, but in no case should the expenses exceed 25 per cent.

Sweepstakes, Ballots and Lotteries, in whatever form they might be put forward, were not approved by the Committee of Management as methods of raising money, and delegates strongly concurred in that ruling.

The great value of theJLadies' Life- boat Guild and the question of co- operation between the Guild and the Branch. The latter was regarded as a matter which should be settled locally in each case.

The readiness of Headquarters to provide suitable articles for the local Press whenever required, and to give answers to criticisms.

The value of Leaflet No. 10, giving a list of the literature and stores available for the use of Branches on all occasions.

The importance of a good subscrip- tion list and of applying for the renewal of all subscriptions and donations each year.

Dances, Whist and Bridge Drives were regarded as successful methods of raising money.

The Talent Fund organized by the Redcar Branch was explained. Each member of the Guild had been given 2s. and asked to use it in such a way as to make as much profit as possible within a given time. The result was that in six weeks £143 was raised, and each sum of 2s. returned. Had the Effort been prolonged, the total would have been still larger.

The excellent results of the Organ Day at Bridlington. A street organ was obtained free of charge and collections made during the day.

The importance of making the Annual Meeting attractive to the general public.

During the interval the delegates were shown films of the Life-boat Stations at Whitby, Scarborough-, Cress- well and Spurn Point, and the rescue of the crew of the Hospital ship Rohilla off Whitby in 1914.

At the conclusion of the Conference the new Bridlington Motor Life-boat was launched.

Irish Free ftate District.

The first Conference of Branches in the Irish Free State -was held in the Mansion House, Dublin, on the 23rd September. Delegates from nineteen Branches and' Guilds were welcomed by the Lord Mayor. Sir Godfrey Baring, Bt., Chairman of the Committee of Management, presided, supported by Senator Jameson, Chairman of the Dublin Branch, Mrs. Jameson, Father O'Shea, a Gold Medallist of the Institu- tion, Sir George Shee, Secretary of the Institution, the District Inspector of Life-boats, and the District Organizing Secretary.

In opening the Conference the Lord Mayor reminded the delegates that the annual cost of the upkeep of the Life- boat Stations in Ireland was over £11,000, but that under £6,000 was contributed by Ireland. It was neces- sary to double the contributions from that country if their Life-boats were to be self-supporting, and he commended that object as one worthy of achieve- ment.

After the Chairman had thanked the Lord Mayor for his presence and encouragement, and the delegates, on behalf of the Committee of Manage- ment, for the work they were doing for the Life-boat Service, the Secretary gave a brief survey of the work of the Institution, particularly in the Irish Free State.

A general discussion then took place on methods of organization, during which the following points were made :— The value of the personal touch in connexion with every aspect of the work of the Institution.

The desirability of extending the activities of a Branch so as to include the surrounding district.

The value of Special Efforts in the autumn and winter months in addition to those arranged in the summer.

The provision by Headquarters, free of charge, of all necessary Branch books, literature, badges for Officials of the Branch and Guild, printing of all kinds, etc., etc.

The value of the " Mile of Pennies " collection in small places, to be carried out by means of the rolls of penny tickets provided by the Institution.

Each roll contains 500 tickets, and will produce £2 Is. 8(t. at a cost of only 4d.

The importance of properly organized House-to-House Collections.

The value of the Life-boat Play and the Life-boat Song in connexion with entertainments and concerts.

The cumulative results of small Efforts, as illustrated by the series of small Dances at Tuam arranged by farm workers.* The importance of making use of the films provided by the Institution as a means of general publicity and for raising funds.

The value of Press publicity, and the readiness of the Institution to provide articles whenever required.

The value of lantern lectures, par- ticularly in small places. With the reading provided anyone could give a lecture.

The desirability of having Branch Annual Meetings in the evening and of * For a special account of these dances, see the next issue.

making them attractive to the general public by arranging a conceit OT some other form of entertainment.

The educational value of arranging for parties of school children to visit Life-boat Stations, particularly in con- nexion with the Essay Competition.

At the end of the morning session Senator Jameson moved, Father O'Shea seconded, and the delegates carried with enthusiasm the resolution about Sir George Shee which is quoted on p. 388.

Senator Jameson then presented an Album of Photographs to Sir George Shee, as a souven:r of his visit to County Cork, when the three naming ceremonies took place in July last..