MASK AND REVOLVER.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 783, 5 April 1910, Page 5

MASK AND REVOLVER.

A PALMERSTON SENSATION.

SHOT FIRED

WAS IT POWELKAP

(By Telceranh-Press Association.) Palmerston North, April i. Mr. and Mrs. J. Kendall, occupants of a cottage at Awapuni, near Palmerston Aorth, when returning homo on Saturday from town, noticed a bag just outside thoir gate. Investigations showed that it contained sevoipl comestibles which they recognised as previously forming part of their larder.

ihey went into the house, and there a startling state of affairs was revealed. The whole house was in complete disorder, and it was quite apparent that it had been searched for money. Boxes had been thrown opon and their contents strewn about the place. The intruder, it was evident, had brought with him a most healthy appetite. The dairy had been visited, and with the help of cream and milk found there, a loaf of bread, cake, and other eatables had been demolished.

Mr. and Mrs. Kendall returned to the road to pursue their investigations, and whilst at the gate Mr. Kendall saw a man approaching along the road, and at once recognised him as Powelka, the oscaped prisoner, and when the latter saw Kendall he presented a revolver and asked for ' money. Kendall said he hadn't any money, and tho man, with the gun pointed out, in forcible tones, that he was not "playing" the robber. He was picturesquely masked with a piece of torn blouse belonging to Mrs. Kendall, while a handkerchief was tied around the lowor part of tho face.

Powelka told Kendall not to . labour under a misapprehension that the revolver was not loaded, and Kendall, thinking the matter serious enough, tamed out his pocket, one shilling being the result. His wife at this stage returned, and Powelka, disappointed with the amount ho had received from Kendall, transferred his' attention to Mrs. Kendall. He demanded her purse, and she produced a small bag from the house which had already been tho subject of Powelka's investigations. The latter became furious when he saw the bag. "You evidently think this is not loaded," he said, and he heia the revolver close to the lady's head and fired.' Mrs. Kendall fainted at once. At this stage of the proceedings a cyclist ap. peared on the scene, and ■ Powelka, of whose identity Kendall says there can b» no doubt, left, disappearing quickly , in the darkness. :

The police are scouring the country for him, but so far he has not been captured, although some later traces have been found nearer town. ■ . . : . Later. Although the police are scouring the country day and night for the perpetrator of the outrage on the IToxton line, on Saturday night, and also for the escapee, Joseph Powelka, there is as yet nothing further to report in the matter. It is generally considered that Powelka was the author of Saturday's'robbery under arms, and that he hides by day and robs houses at night for sustenance.