Ix April 1954 it was decided to make certain changes in the appointments of the life-boat district inspectors in view of the impending retirement of the Southern District Inspector. At the same time it was decided to reorganise the districts so that the inspectors could visit their stations with as little time wasted in travelling as possible. The changes were carried out gradually and the following list shows the stations which now fall into the newly organised districts: "Northern District: LIEUT. E. D.

STOGDON, R.N.V.R.

All stations north of a line joining the Solway Firth and River Tweed to include the Hebrides, Orkneys and Shetlands.

Eyemouth, St. Abbs, Dunbar, Anstruther, Broughty Ferry, Arbroath, Montrose, Gourdon, Aberdeen, Newburgh, Peterhead, Fraserburgh, Whitehills, Buckie, Cromarty, Wick, Stronsay, Lerwick, Aith, Stromness, Longhope, Thurso, Stornoway, Barra Island, Mallaig, Islay, Campbeltown, Troon, Girvan, Portpatrick, Kirkcudbright.

Central District: COMMANDER L. F. L.

HILL, R.D., R.N.R.

Bounded on the north by a line joining the Solway Firth and River Tweed and on the south by a line joining Carnarvon Bar and the River Humber.

Berwick-on-Tweed, Holy Island, North Sunderland, Boulmer, Amble, Newbiggin, Blyth, Cullercoats, Tynemouth, Sunderland, Seaham, Hartlepool, Teesmouth, Redcar, Runswick, Whitby, Scarborough, Filey, Flamborough, Bridlington, Humber, Workington, Barrow, Fleetwood, Blackpool, Lytham, New Brighton, Hoylake, Rhyl, Llandudno, Beaumaris, Moelfre, Holy head.

Eastern District: COMMANDER H. L.

WHEELER, R.N.

All stations east of a line between River Humber and Christchurch to include the Channel Islands.

As a temporarv measure Commander E. W. Middleton, V.R.D., R.N.V.R., who has been appointed Assistant Chief Inspector, continues to act as district inspector for: Hastings, Eastbourne, Newhaven, Shoreham, Selsey, Bembridge, Yarmouth, St. Peter Port, St. Heller.

Commander Wheeler acts as inspector for: Skegness, Wells, Sheringham, Cromer, Caister, Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, Lowestoft, Aldeburgh, Walton-on-the-Naze, Clacton, Southend, Margate, Ramsgate, Walmer, Dover, Dungeness.

Western District: LIEUT. COMMANDER W. L. G. DUTTON, R.D., R.N.R.

All stations west of a line between Christchurch and Carnarvon Bar.

Poole, Swanage, Weymouth, Exmouth, Torbay, Salcombe, Plymouth, Fowey, Falmouth, Coverack, Cadgwith, Lizard, Penlee, St. Mary's, Sennen Cove, St. Ives, Padstow, Clovelly, Appledore, Ilfracombe, Minehead, Weston-super-Mare, Barry Dock, Mumbles, Ferryside, Tenby, Angle, St. David's, Fishguard, New Quay, Aberystwyth, Barmouth,. Pwllheli, Criccieth, Porthdinllaen.

Irish District: LIEUT. COMMANDER H. H. HARVEY, R.N.V.R.

All stations in Ireland and Isle of Man.

Ramsey, Douglas, Port St. Mary, Port Erin, Peel, Donaghadee, Cloughey, Newcastle, Clogher Head, Howth, Poolbeg, Dun Laoghaire, Wicklow, Arklow, Rosslare Harbour, Kilmore, Dunmore East, Helvick Head, Youghal, Ballycotton, Courtmacsherry, Baltimore, Valentia, Fenit, Galway Bay, Arranmore, Portrush.

Inspector Retires Captain G. R. Cousins, D.S.C., R.N., who had been Southern District Inspector since 1945, retired in 1954.

Captain Cousins entered the Navy in 1911 and served in destroyers during the first war, first at Gallipoli and later with the Grand Fleet and in convoy work. In 1917 he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for destroying a German submarine off Portland.

He joined the Royal National Life-boat Institution as Inspector of Lifeboats for the Western District in 1931.

During the war of 1939-1945 he served in the Royal Navy, on the staff of the Commander-in-Chief, Western Approaches, and commanding H.M.S.

Churchill.

On his retirement he was presented with a shooting stick as a parting gift from the officers, crews and officials of the ten life-boat stations in Cornwall.

The gift was presented by Mr.

Barrie Bennetts, M.B.E., honorary secretary, Penlee, at the London Hotel, Redruth, on the llth of October, 1954. He was presented with a pair of binoculars from the headquarters, depot and coast staff..