MISCELLANEOUS NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 April 1918, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS NEWS.

NEW SHIPS OUTPUT. LONDON April 3. It is announced that during the year ended March 31st, 1917, the gross tonnage of the merchantmen completed in the shipyards of the United Kingdom totalled 692,225. For the year ended 31st March 1918, the completed merchantmen increased to 1,237,515 gross tonnage.

The output shows a steady upward tendency, reaching a record of 1,616.(574 tons during last March. ■ The men are working loyally at the yards, having taken to heart the anxiety which was caused hv the comparatively low outputs in January (58.563 tons), and February (100,03 S tons).

FIVE PRIESTS SHOT. (Received This Day at 1.20 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, April 4. Germans shot five Belgium priests at Antwerp. SOUTH AFRICAN RECR UITING. 1 i Received, this day at 8 45 a.m. CAPETOWN April 4. A great recruiting campaign has I been organised for next week to keep the South Afrioan Brigade together, as n Separate unit. Government have decided to release for active service, eligible officers and men from all military units, including permanent forces. Gov- j eminent appeals to private employers t > do likewise.

A BYE-ELECTION. A NATIONALIST WTN. (Reuter’s Telegram.) (Received This Day at 1.5. p.m.) LONDON, April 4. The East Tyrone bye-election, cause' 1 owing to Captain W. Redmond’s resig”ing, to contest his father’s seat, resulted:’— BARBTSON (Nationalist.) ... 1800 MOILHOY (Sinn Fein) 1219 A PERTINENT QUERY. \ LONDON April 4. The Standard asks what Ireland intends doing in order to avoid creatinea gulf, not only between herself and Britain, but 'between herself and nil the free nations of the world. The Standard suggests brigading Irish battalions with the Americans.