VICTORIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4450, 24 June 1875, Page 3

VICTORIAN NEWS.

(From the Argus of June 16.) The population of the colony on the 31st March, according to the Government statist’s quarterly abstract, was 810,422, viz.:—440,140 males and 270,282 females. The gain to the population by excess of births over deaths during the quarter, was 1280, viz,;— 520 males and 760 females. That by excess of arrivals over departures was 705, viz.:—46l males and 244 females. The total increase was therefore 1935, viz.:—93l males aud 1004 females. An attempt to commit suicide at sea was made during the passage of the A.S.N. Co.’s s.s. City of Adelaide, from Sydney to this port, by a steerage passenger named Morris. At 10 a.m. on Wednesday, when the steamer was about fifteen miles N.E. off Wilson’s Promontory, and going at full speed, Morris, who was recovering from the effects of drink, rushed up the steerage companion on deck, and before he could be prevented sprang over the side. The engines were speedily reversed, and a boat lowered, and two life buoys, one from the bridge and one from aft, thrown to him. . The boat, in charge of Mr. AV. Thompson, third mate, was manned and in the water in very few minutes, and the crew pulled towards the drowning man vigorously. Their exertions were well-timed, for Morris was disappearing below the surface head downwards. Thompson, the third officer, seeing this, pluckily dived under him and held him up until the, men in the boat pulled him in board. After picking 'one of the life-buoys up, the boat returned to the steamer-, which then proceeded on her voyage. So smartly were operations conducted that the steamer was forging ahead full speed again within fifteen minutes after the man had gone over the side. So well pleased were the _ passengers with the activity and intrepidity displayed by Thompson that a sum of money was collected on board and presented, along with an address, as a mark of their approval of his bravery in rescuing Morris at such considerable personal risk. A portion of the money collected was divided amongst. the crew of the boat. Moms, who is said to be a fireman on board the s.s. Barrabool, and missed returning in that vessel from Sydney, was handed over to the safe keeping of his wife yesterday.