THE exhibition of life-boat photographs which was shown last year in London and Edinburgh was shown in Birming- ham from February 12th to 20th of this year, through the kindness of Messrs. Lewis's, Ltd., of Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham, who lent rooms for it on their premises. The exhibition was opened by the Rt. Hon.

L. S. Amery, M.P. for the Spark- brook division of Birmingham, a former First Lord of the Admiralty, and a vice-president of the Birmingham branch. Sir Frederick Marquis, chair- man of Messrs. Lewis's, came specially from Liverpool to preside, and was supported by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, president of the Birming- ham branch, the Chief Constable, a number of magistrates, Major W.

Shaw, D.S.O., vice-chairman of the branch, and Mr. T. O. Gray, the honorary treasurer. Life-boat workers from many branches in the Midlands were present, and the speeches were broadcast throughout Messrs. Lewis's premises.

After paying a tribute to the work of the Institution, Mr. Amery said : " The life-boat service is a great national institution, but it is also a Birmingham institution. The Birming- ham branch has for years been active and flourishing, and contributes on an average £2,000 a year. It has been responsible for the provision of thirty- five life-boats. Why should Birming- ham, an inland city, take this interest in the saving of lives from the sea ? Birmingham may be an inland city on the map, but not in any other sense.

Birmingham is a great world city. Her goods go out to the ends of the earth.

Her necessary supplies come from every habitable country of the world over the 80,000 miles of the sea-lines of the British Empire. Our great city is directly interested in the men who carry these goods and supplies. Their safety is of as much interest to us as the safety of the men in our streets. That is why I can commend the good works of the Royal National Life-boat Insti- tution confidently to the citizens of Birmingham." The Lord Mayor supported him, pointing out that Birmingham had many maritime associations, and gave many recruits to the Royal Navy.

Sir Frederick Marquis said that his firm would always be willing to help the life-boat service.

After the opening Sir Frederick Marquis entertained the principal gueststo luncheon, and made a donation on behalf of Messrs. Lewis's to the Institu- tion.

Of the photographs the Birmingham Post wrote : " They are of a character to stir the imagination of the most casual beholder. In some the life- boatmen are shown returning in the cold grey dawn after a night of toil and stress, while the seas sullenly subside. In others they are seen setting out in the fury of the gale, while great waves pound and roar against ships that lie battered against the rocks.

Not least interesting, however, are the portraits of the rugged, weather beaten veterans who outdare all that the sea can do." During the eight days of the exhibi- tion some 15,000 people visited it.

The photographs have since been shown in York, Bradford and Sunder- land, and are to be shown in Leeds in November. An account of these ex- hibitions will be given in the next issue of The Life-boat..