MERCHANT SHIPPING ACT, 1888.

The first meeting of the comnmittee appointed under the provisions of the "Merchant Shippng (Life-Saving Appliances) Act, 1888," took place at the Board of Trade on the 15th inst.

The members were received by Mr. Michael Hicks-Beach, M.P., Mr. H. G.Calcraft, C.B., Mr. Thomas Gray, C.B., and other leading officials of the department.

The committee subsequently elected Mr. Thomas H. Ismay as chairman, and Mr. J. G. S. Anderson as vice-chairman. Besides these the following were present :-Mr. D. Kennedy, Mr. N. Dunlop, Mr. W. John; Captains G. Armstrong, John Lees, and H. J. Ward, Mr. M. Callaghan, Mr. T. S Lemon, Mr. S. I. da Costa, Mr. C. R. Tatham, and the secretary, Mr. Walter J. Howell.