No one of the 1,136 branches of the institution can equal in the number of its activities the record of Folke- stone for the first three months of the year. There were nine in all— in January a lecture and a dance, in February a bridge party, in March two whist drives, a bridge drive, a lecture, a jumble sale and a spinsters' ball. The spinsters' ball, in particular, was a great success. The tickets were 3s. llfd.

and no change was given, but one of the guests retorted by paying the whole charge in farthings. The ball included a carnival, competitions, and a " sur- prise packet for every man." These efforts have been organized by the women's auxiliary of the branch, and its secretary, Miss Ethel Hopkins, in a vigorous attempt not to let the funds of the branch suffer by the refusal of a life-boat day. In addition to them eight meetings of the com- mittee were held, and at a special tea party arranged by the mayor and mayoress, the local presentation was made to Miss Hopkins of the gold badge which the institution had awarded her for her distinguished ser- vices. As reported elsewhere, Miss Hopkins was also present at the annual meeting of the institution in London, where the badge was presented to' her by the Lady Mayoress of London..