PURSUIT OF POWELKA.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 736, 8 April 1910, Page 7

PURSUIT OF POWELKA.

MORE POLICE. ALARUMS AND EXCURSIONS. A CHASE IN THE DUSK. (From Our Special Correspondent.) • Palmerston North, April 7. In i view of the happenings her* within the past few days—armed rob-, beries, private and business premises being broken into, and alarming fires— the police force has been largely augmented, tho surrounding districts being drawn upon to provide extra men, including several detectives.' Nothing, happened last night to disturb tho equanimity of the town, but it is certain residents will not breathe freely until Powelka has been laid by the heels. It is quite on the cards that' a' Vigilance Committee will be formed to assist the police if the fellow is not caught very soon. The women-folk living in the outskirts of the town are getting into a very nervous state.

A CHAIN OF EVENTS. ARMED POLICE OUT IN MOTOR. CAR. (By TeleeraDh.-Press A»socl*tlon.l Palmerston North, April 7. An interesting discovery has 'been made, which may throw some light oa the destruction of the High School in the. big fire last Tuesday. A local; resident lost a bicycle from his house) in the vicinity of the High' School just prior to the fire, it being taken from inside the gate of a resident. Another person saw a bicycle lying on the footway opposite the school, and a, man, crossing the ground towards the school. Shortly before the. fire was discovered on Wednesday night, a horse was stolen from a Palmerston resident, and a bicycle left in its place, this bicycle proving to be the one stolen on the night of the fire. .«../. Powelka is said to have been seen riding over the Pahiatua track early, this morning. The police motored out in strong force, well armed.

FUGITIVE NEARLY CAUGHT. POLICE TO ENCIRCLE SOME'bUSH* (By Telesraph.-Special Correspondent.) Masterton, April 7. ; The Masterton police received word last evening that Powelka had beeuseen in the neighbourhood '.''if' Scar-: borough, near the Pahiatua railway! station. From an interview whioh your-' representative obtained with a Pahiatua resident, who arrived .here, by .thai' late train, it appears that two.;pf.' f tho:' Pahiatua police saw a, horseman near, the cross roads adjacent to the butter l factory just as it was getting dusk, ' • On being approached, the stranger gal- 1 .loped.off. at full speed, and then the": •police', recognised Powelka.:. The fugitive made for the incline. at the back of' the station, towards Ballance. On. reaching the top he deserted his horsa and made for Matthews Bush.: He got! a good start of : his pursuers, and tho 'darkness assisted his.,escape.',Be was seen entering the buah by a man whoi was returning from rabbit-shooting* The bush iB only a straggling bush* and it is understood that it is to bat surrounded by the police during the( night. Three Masterton constables left! this evening for Pahiatua per motors' car.. i '

STATEMENT BY DR. FINDLAY. . EXPEDIENCY OF OFFERING A■' "\ REWARD. ■•■■ Special efforts are being made by tbaf Justice Department to secure Joseph' ' Powelka, who recently escaped from, oustody at Wellington.- Dr. Findlay, . told a Dominion reporter yesterdayjhati men had been drafted from Wanganui, Napier, and''Wellington',, and therewera - now as many men in the area of .super-.., vision as could possibly be spared* These men wore using'-'the atmost vigil* ance, and : nothing was being left undone to effect"his'.;arrest. "It niustr be borne in mind," added the Minister,: "that he is in covjitry which is easily) travelled, and which to, some extent lends itself to concealment, especially if he lies, concealed throughout thehours o,f daylight. ; r am considering the expediency of offering a reward foe information which will enable the polico. to discover his whereabouts." -.-• -■'.