A CONFERENCE of the branches in the London District was held at Southend- on-Sea on the 30th of March. Eighty- one delegates from forty-five branches attended it. The party was welcomed by the Mayor, visited the life-boat house, saw the life-boat launched and was taken out in her for short trips.

The conference was held at Garon's Center House, through the kindness of Mr. Frank Garon, chairman of the Southend branch. Commodore the Earl Howe, C.B.E., V.R.D., P.C., R.N.V.R., deputy-chairman of the In- stitution, presided, supported by Colonel A. D. Burnett Brown, M.C., T.D., M.A., the secretary, and other officials of the Institution and the London District.

Lord Howe welcomed the delegates and spoke of the Institution's work.

There was then a full discussion on the various methods of keeping the Life-boat Service before the public and raising the Institution's funds..