Information was received at mid-day on the 4th January that a small boat, in which two youths had gone fishing at 4 A.M., was overdue, and the Coast- guard at Marsden reported that a small boat about three miles to the E.S.E.

appeared to . be in difficulties. The Motor Life-boat Henry Frederick Swan put out shortly after 1 P.M., in a strong N.W. breeze with a rough sea, and found a small boat with two men on board, but they did not require help. The missing youths were then found in their small boat sheltering behind the South Pier. They also did not need help, so the Life-boat returned to her Station at 2.30 P.M. The wind had changed suddenly and had it not been for this neither of the boats would have been able to make the harbour without aid.—Eewards, £9 6s. Qd..