TWO PRIESTS SAFE

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 306, 25 September 1945, Page 6

TWO PRIESTS SAFE

Japanese Prisoners

Two New Zealand priests who were captured by the Japanese when Singapore fell are reported safe and well. They are the Rev. Fathers 11. A. Smith, Wellington, and G. Boitrke, Lower Hutt. Father Smith, who is au old boy of St. Bede’s, Christchurch, was on the teaching staff of St. Patrick’s College, Wellington, in 1937 and 1938. He transferred to Australia in 1939, mid after the outbreak of war went to Malaya with the Australian forces as a chaplain. After his capture he was moved to a prisoner of war camp in Siam. Writing from Bombay to his sister, Mrs. M. S. Hollier, Muhoe Street, Lower Hutt, Father Smith reports that he is well, though he mentions that fever lias been troublesome. He hopes to be in Australia soon. Father Gerard B'ourke, sou of Mr. and Sirs. J. S. Bourke, Lower Hutt, was attached to the Redemptorist Monastery. Singapore, when the enemy captured it. He expects to return to New Zealand in a few weeks.