LAST year there was again an increase in the number of branches which held life-boat days, in the number of people who contributed and in the amount collected.

The number of branches holding days was|732, one more than in 1933. It has been rising steadily each year, and in the past five years has increased from 616 to 732.

The number of people who con- tributed was 5,172,000, an increase on last year of 193,000. This is the largest number since 1930, the year before the national crisis in finance.

The amount contributed was £42,845, an increase on last year of £2,973.

This is the largest amount since 1930, when it was £45,590.

The average contribution was very slightly higher than in 1933, being not quite twopence per head..