THE months of May and June were exceptionally exacting ones for the life-boat service. In May there were as many as 78 service launches, ten more than the previous record figure for the month of May. The number of service launches in June was as high as 83, the previous record for June having been 67. These continual demands on the services of life-boats were made in spite of the fact that the weather in both months was exceptionally good. In some places it was the driest May for nearly a hundred years, but around the coasts the dry weather was frequently accompanied by high winds. The figures for life-boat launches serve as a reminder of the fact that while those inland may be enjoying pleasant, sunny weather, conditions at sea can still give rise to constant dangers.

As usually happens in the summer months, yachtsmen have benefited considerably by the services of the lifeboats, and in the three months under review in this number of the Life-boat no fewer than twenty-five yachts were saved. Yet the saving of these yachts gave rise to only four claims for property salvage.

NINTH INTERNATIONAL LIFE-BOAT CONFERENCE The ninth International Life-boat Conference will be held in Great Britain in 1963. At the conference held in Bremen in June, which is reported on page 281, the seventeen nations which were represented expressed the wish that the Royal National Life-boat Institution should act as host at the next conference.

The Committee'of Management of the Institution has now confirmed its willingness to do so. The last occasion on which an international life-boat conference was held in Britain was in 1924. Since then conferences have been held in France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, Portugal and Germany.

NEW CORNISH LIFE-BOAT STATION Work has now begun on the new life-boat station at Kilcobben Cove in Cornwall. This project was described in the December 1958 number of the Life-boat, when it was pointed out that because of the difficulties of launching and re-housing at the Lizard and Cadgwith, and because of the need felt for a life-boat of the largest class at this extremely important part of the coast, a new life-boat station had become necessary. The undertaking will inevitably be an extremely costly one, and a contract for constructional work to the value of some £70,000 has already been placed.

INSTITUTION'S TIES The Committee of Management has decided to meet the growing demand for a tie to be worn by those who serve in life-boats or who hold office within the life-boat service. The tie shows in miniature the Institution's flag on a blue background. All-silk ties can be supplied at 25/- each, and there are second quality ties which can be supplied for 11 j- each. Those entitled to wear the ties must be regular members of life-boat crews and helpers, as certified by honorary secretaries of station branches ; officers and committee members of all branches ; and members of the Committee of Management and of the Institution's staff.

Because of customs regulations ties are not at present available in the Irish Republic at the prices quoted above..