The Central Glamorgan Gazette, and General, Commercial, and Agricultural Advertiser. — 1874-12-04 (Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

FRIGHTFUL TRAGEDY ON BOARD A  STEAMER. A determined suicide and desperate attempt at murder occurred while the Allan steamer Polynesian, Captain Brown, was on her last trip from Liverpool to Quebec. When in mid-ocean one of the steerage passengers showed symptoms of nervous excitement, so much so that one night, during a stiff gale, physical force had to be used to get him below. The following diy he was quiet, and was allowed to go about the decks, but it was deemed prudent to put him below as soon as it became dusk. For this purpose the boatswain and second steward went to look for him, when they observed him sitting on the upper rail abaft the waist, atd in the act of jumping overboard. They immediately laid hold of him, but with a knife, which he seems to have had open and ready in his hand, he inflicted four or five deep and dangerous wounds in the boatswain's face and body. The third officer also went to the rescue ; but the unfortunate man, who was very powerful, shook himself from their grasp, leaving his coat in their bands, and fell into the sea. The cnxines were immediately stopped, and every effort made to rescue he madman, but without effect, as be was never seen after. The deceased, whose name was tames Lochead, was a native of Wishaw, Scotland. lie had an uncle and two cousins on board, who stated that he had not been drinking, and could not ashign any reason for his extraordinary conduct. The boatswain was for some days in a critical condition, but under skilful treatment he is progressing favour. ably. The tragic event cast a gloom over what otherwise would have been a pleasant voyage. The passengers raised a subscription of £3O in behalf of the boatswain, in appreciation of his gallant conduct, and in sympathy for the injuries he received.  The convict Robert Kelly, undergoing his terzn of penal servitude at Spike Island, was visited the other day by his wife and three of his children. He appeared to be in ill health, but was then upon hospital diet, havi g a chop and a bottle of stout for his dinner. He said he had received letters of condolence from the bfarquis of Queensbury, and he expressed much anxiety on the score of being buried amongst "the rubbish that contains the remains of convicts that die in prison." Mr. Walter Thornbury is engaged in editing and prliaring 'for the press an autobiography of Mr. Buckstone. the popular actor and manager of the Haymarket Theatre. Mr. Buckst,one made his first appearance on a London stage in 182-i, and his acquaintance has been intimate with every greatj actor since that date, and with men of eminence in various departments of literature, from the time of Scott to that of Dickens. Mr. Thornbury is also superintending the publication of Mr. Buckstene's plays.  na r tam (the New-York Tr-ibuns says) makes its appearance as a disturbing element in a new quarter. Atthe Conference of Reformed German and Reformed Dutch Churches in Philadelphia. the rrojeet of bnion between those ECM, which has hitherto been very favourably entertained, is mo-e imperilled by the rumour of Ritualist practices than by differences of doctrine. The Germans arc said to be High Church, the Dutch. Low —of course without referenw to geographical origin. There is, however, a readiness to make concessions on both sides which encourages the hope that union will be effected.