Presentations of Vellums signed by the Prince of Wales.

THREE life-boat stations have cele- brated their centenaries this year: Berwick-on-Tweed, the Mumbles, Gla- morganshire, and Ferryside, Carmar- thenshire. In each case a vellum was presented by the Institution, signed by the Prince of Wales, expressing the Institution's appreciation of the volun- tary work of the officers and committee of the station and of the devotion and courage of the life-boat crew. Fifty- nine centenary vellums have now been presented.

Berwick-on-Tweed.

Following the wreck of a foreign vessel near the pier on 10th November, 1834) the Inspector-Commander of Coastguard asked the Institution to place a life-boat at Berwick-on-Tweed.

The Institution agreed, and the life- boat arrived in January, 1835. The station has had altogether seven life- boats, including the present motor life-boat, Westmorland, the gift of the Westmorland Life-boat Fund. Since 1850 the Berwick-on-Tweed life-boats have been launched on service 128 times, and have rescued 208 lives. One gold and five silver medals have been awarded by the Institution, and two silver medals by the Swedish Govern- ment.

The centenary was celebrated on 25th July; Sir Godfrey Baring, Bt., chairman of the Institution, pre- sented the vellum; and the motor life-boats from Holy Island, Northum- berland, and St. Abb's, Berwickshire, were present.

Mr. W. H. Askew-Robertson, one of the two presidents of the branch, presided, supported by the Mayor and Sheriff, and the vellum was received by Lady Frances Osborne, the other president, who then presented it to the coxswain, to be hung in the boat-house. The life-boat was launched and gave a demonstration rescue. On the same day Prince of Wales Day was held in Berwick, and in the evening there was a fancy-dress carnival. Two days before the Berwick Amateur Dramatic Society gave a performance of Mr. Louis N.

Parker's life-boat play "Their Busi- ness in Great Waters." The Mumbles, Glamorganshire.

The life-boat station at the Mumbles was established by the Institution in 1835, but was controlled by the Swan- sea Harbour Trustees until 1863, when it was taken over by the Institution.

The life-boats have always been sta- tioned at The Mumbles but until 1904 the station was known as Swansea.

Since 1863 the station has had six life-boats, including the present motor life-boat, Edward Prince of Wales. Its boats have been launched on service 144 times ; 197 lives have been rescued ; two silver medals have been awarded for gallantry. These lives have not been rescued without loss. Four of the life-boat's crew were drowned in 1883 when, going to the rescue of a German barque, the life-boat was swept over the rocks by heavy seas ; and in 1903 six lost their lives when the life-boat capsized returning from service.

The centenary was celebrated on 25th July, the Mayor of Swansea, supported by the Mayoress, presiding. The vellum was presented by Lieut-.Col.

A. D. Burnett Brown, M.C., T.D., deputy secretary of the Institution, and was received by Mr. F. le Boulanger, who has been honorary secretary for the past thirty-five years, and this year was made an honorary life-governor of the Institution, the highest honour which it can bestow on an honorary worker. After the ceremony the life- boat was launched.

Ferryside, Carmarthenshire.

The station was established by the Institution in 1835, at the request of local residents, and until 1892 was known as Carmarthen Bay.

In 1843 the life-boat was so badly damaged as to be useless, and it was not until 1880 that the station was re-established. It has had altogether seven lifeboats. Since 1880 its life- boats have been launched on service 42 times, and have rescued 92 lives.

One silver medal has been awarded by the Institution for gallantry, and a silver medal by the King of Norway and Sweden. The vellum was presented on 26th July. Professor J. W. W. Stephens, F.R.S., presided, and the motor life- boat from the Mumbles was present.

The presentation was made by Lieut.- Col. A. D. Burnett Brown, M.C., T.D., deputy secretary of the Institution.

Mrs. E. C. Jennings, wife of the vice- president of the branch, received the vellum, and handed it to Col. R. A.

Nevill, D.S.O., the honorary secretary of the station, to be hung in the boat- house. After the ceremony the life- boat was launched..