BLOCKHOUSES IN IRELAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18283, 27 December 1922, Page 5

BLOCKHOUSES IN IRELAND.

DEFENCE OF RAILWAYS. SOUTH AFRICAN SYSTEM. HOUSE SEARCH w DUBLIN. By T«l«graph Press Association—Copyright. 6.30 p.m.) United Service. LONDON. Deo. 25. Tho Dublin correspondent of the Daily ?]1 f a >' s that th * Free State Government 18 det «mmed to protect the railways. A system of blockhouses, similar to that adopted in the South African War, is eing instituted. The blockhouses are placed a few miles apart, and are garrisoned by 50 to 100 troops. Orders also have been issued that in future unauthorised persons found in the vie nity of railway lines shall be shot on sight. Free State troops from thl Portobello barracks are searching houses for two assailants who stole behind Inspector Daly, of the Criminal Investigation Department and fired three shots into his back, wounding him seriously. THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT. PEACE APPEALS RENEWED. (Received 6.5 p.m.) United Service. 'LONDON. Dec. 25. There is some evidence of the Christmas spirit in Ireland. Eight former officers ot tho Republican army, who have taken no part in the fighting since the truce, >ent a letter to the Dublin press appealing to belligerents to make peace. Sir James (raig, in a message to Ulster, says: "God grant that, there ma? be a year of peace and goodwill., not only for Ulster, but for the whole of Ireland, that the new Governments may bo given a fair trial, so that each within its own sphere may bo able to work for the advancement of tha people and that dissensions which have torn the land may disappear." Talk of reconciliation between Ulster and the Irish Free State continues in Dublin Mr. T. XI. Healy, Governor-General, and Mr. W. T. Ccsgrave, President of the Executive of the tree State, sav that they hope that nnion is not too distant.