STARTLING DEVELOPMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 789, 12 April 1910, Page 6

STARTLING DEVELOPMENTS.

FATAL MISTAKE: CIVILIAN SHOOTS CIVILIAN A FARMER HELD UP. INTENSE EXCITEMENT IN PALMERSTON DISTRICT.

tßy Telepraph,—Suecial Oorrerobnflem.i ' ' Paimerston North, April 11. ; . After last nighfs tragedy naturally all ' ras excitement in.Ealmerston'this morn- .:/ teg. .■.'■■'."'...':. .... - ; '-~ •'" •■■ ■ ','..•-■■• •'..; 1 .-'/nie,'.bl<>ck'..in.-.-whipli' Powelka was sup- '■;. posed , to be* cornered was"• surrounded by ;.' v cordon, of police and civilians all fully ■ The' civilians : included: a number :of the Mounted Eifles, and the other corps ; Ain : 'Palmerston, under v Captain Peach, .besides a number of pri- '■' y&tafindmduajs.y.; , . /■■.' '••'.'.;''-■;':■ '--.'■■':' r-It. was a wretched night, 'very .cold, , rain falling.nearly-the whole.time, ; .and ,many of ~tho.se . keeping, vigil were ■without overcoats/' Their creature com- ■•' forts, however, were well attended to, Mt. iW:' Bevine, of. the Empire ■ Hotel,, especi..ally; devoting.■ himself to -looking , after thie. department;.;supplying' the patrol with'hot-tea and coffee'and refreshments throughout the night. His thoughtfnl-f.ness-.wasvgreatly.' appreciated. ■/,■"-; "

A Thorough Search. .-Naturally, ;. daylight was anxiously awaited, and at the first streaks of day > thorough' search of the block was made, but no sign of the fugitivo was found,' and it must be concluded that-ho cleared out immediately after shooting Sergeant Maguire. Business is almost at a standstill, ■ residents being too excited and anxious to attend to wort. Various parties were organised, a number of .firms'allowing portion of their staffs off to thoroughly eearch the borough.' All fire-arms, from the•; fancy pistol to old double-barrelled gnus and old-fashioned rifles, were brought requisition, and the whole coun-try-side is now being patrolled by people anxious for the, capture'of Powelka. Many people are becoming rather hysterical, and it will be very fortunate if the bnsiness is got through without an accident, as people who have never handled a firearm in their lives think it necessary to carry something in this form.

last night a man on a bicycle was very dow in answering a challenge by one of those on duty around the block in whioh Powelka was supposed to be lurking, and very narrowly escaped being fired on. 4 During the morning various rumours were flying about as to Powelka having been seen. One was that he was 6een reading a newspaper in Peatherston Street, and at the same fame it was stated that he was seen in the esplanade m a •totally opposite direction. , Both reports rwere investigated, but proved to be in-i (correct v Intense Excitement. ' j Hundreds of people on cycles and horseback are to be eeen flying all over the ■toTO, and the excitement is intense. As soon as a rnmour',,comes along., that Powelia has been seen in a particular 1 direction, off go a small army on bicycles to (investigate. The opinion of those best able to judge is that Powelka has cleared right out of the town, but of course it cannot bo said how long it will be before' 'he returns, I and the fear of another conflagration is troubling business people very much. OwneTS of empty tenements are also having a very anxious time. Great sympathy is felt for Sergeant ATagmre. It is thought he acted rather rashly in going after Powelia unarmed, .and going around the house by himself, (but then the sergeant considered he was' raimply 'doing his'duty. ( As on other occasions, Powelka did just ■the opposite of what was expected of ■■ him. Jt was qmte anticipated that when the police entered the front of Mr. Hampton's gronnds that he would go over the back ■fence, where three constables were in •waiting, but he once more proved his canning by coming ;to the front, : and Sergeant Maguiie suffered in consequence. Sub-Inspector O'Donovan is working heroically, and' has been at his post for nearly .eight and forty hours without Test or sleep./ All the members of the force are also etiokfng to their task, many of them being in urgent need of , zest and sleep.

'.■•-..• Vigilance Committee, ■'■, •■', If Powelka is riot captured to-night,- it <■'. Iβ .prettjr certain that a Vigilance Com- .';;■■ nittee will be. formed to-morrow,with a :view of assisting the police; There are ' any: number' of -and ybnijp fellows '" willing-arid; anxious to.be sworn'in .'as Bpecial'. constables, and then something in ]'■'■ the way of :orgariised work could'be car- -.'.■■ ried ont without several parties going ... over ■ the same ground. At ■ Hokowhitti to-day; for instance,, the same ground : __' was covered over and over again,' and time and energy were simply : pasted. All the more important'business .places' have put on special, nigh twatchjnen,' and theEabing buildings ind ..-•' the A. and P. Association's grounds are Jjeing specially , cared for: -.■; > : A Reign , of Terror. The state of. things can : only be Bharacterised as a reign of terror, as no jnan knows where the fugitive will ccm- ;. ' menceafresh with his .firebrands. ■'■;■ No matter,what the incident or rumour '-.'' Way be, the police promptly investigate 'it; motor-cars .being utilised, to get contingents of constables quickly on to the .'. spot. Every man,'woman, and child in ■■■'■ is on the qui vive, and so ;■■■ thorough; .is the search becoming that.it ,■■•■•■'srilf , be impossible for Powelka to* escape ■ eaptnre for';long if he remains in.the •• Ticinity of. the town. 'He will .probably lecogriise this, and inake for fresh fields. ' .', Up to the time , of'telegraphing, nothing ■ fresh- had been, reported in the way of '■.;■• iurglaries. '' ''•' ' -. : '

' ■ A Note from PowetVa. ' ■ , • It:is asserted that;Powelka left.a note jat.Ashhurst.denying that he lad set fire to Millar, and.Georgi's shop in the Square, (or that-he had. fired at his wife. , : All day long, and especially this/aftersoon, large crowds of people have waited 'anxiously in front of the police station hoping to hear.of Powelka's arrest, but, ■unfortunately, they have been doomed to disappointment. .. ■■• 'A: most unfortunate feature, of the search by civilians is that two or three young-fellows, a good ■ deal the worse for . Jiquorp have been carrying, firearm's, and it is quite time; that, if ; private individuals are;to " take, part •. in "the. hunt, greater care 'should.be taken in this mat- ■■-.■ - •■ •.;.•■' - ; :. ; '• .:_■■; ■■- ■

.-Sergeant Maouire's C,qr\dition, ~ . '.Sergeant.Maguire still lies in a very critical' condition.- -The operation, performed by Dr.; Martin -shows- that the bidlet. entered'the right ;side of the stomach, below-the liver, penetrating ; the bowels and-stomach,i causingVvery dangerous injuries. . Dr. Sartin says the case on all-fours withHnat of! President MTiin- %• -..•■ ~" ' : Mrs. Maguire and her father-in-law had an unfortunate experience in their motor 'drive 'from. Wellington to , Palmerston. They left! Wellington at twelve o'clock last night, and after, getting weir along on the journey they>in'some way missed the main road,' and. got on- to a by-way, which caused them 'considerable delay, and■'. they did ;nbt arrive in Paimorston till eight o'clock' this: morning.

A party of searchers organised -by Mr. S.:T. Hunt started,out early this morn.ing and- did their work vary thoroughly, beating the , whole of the"ground along the banks of the Manawatu Kiver from Palmerston to : . Ashhuist. They-returned to town by the last. train. td T night. They were considerably! fatigued by tlieir labours, and it is , thought that if Powelka is kept-oh the move'he must soon be captured.' .■■. . ' ... '" ' ■ "s^

THE SEARCHCONTINUES. . • PUBLIC BTnLDINGS -GUARDED. FUGITIVE-.SEEN AGAIN. \ ■•: (By;-, Telegraph—Press/Association:) ':■ | Palmerston North, '■ April U. , The.police,,assisted by.severaTcivilians, are continuing the search for Powelka to-day, but; so far. without result.. The whole.pf the outskirts.of the' town, have been patrolled and paddocks and lagoons searched, but the fugitive, has disappeared most completely. ~ .'.'■'•; ; ;'■ Inspector "WUsbn took-charge of operations to-day, and Inspector Ellison arrived this'afternoon,to assist.',,.... ': ;' .This aftenioon the party at> present out searching will be augmented by a force .of: territorials underv.the'local officers, and it is quite probable the residents mil forma Vigilance Committee:' -.'■■■ . Several public'institutions Tare being watched at night, including; the grand■V • . '■-" 'A:.:':: .'-i.-. ■•■■■'■■'■

etaijd at Awapuui. '•'■ ".. The; latest .'bulletin regardiiig Sergeant Maguire is that he is in a most critical condition. : The latest report is that Powelka has just been seen in the grounds attached to the Governor's late residence, at Hokowhitu, and a posse of police, together with armed' civilians,, had left for the scene. . ' '-."'.. . ~ ■ V ;■

R EINRO}RCEMENTS. F ROM WOOD- '; VILLE. ".'.. PATROEEING THE RUAHINE ; ■ : ■:•;;■■ 'RANGES; "' . v.:; • IBt Telesraph.—Special CorrcßDomlent.l : ■. - : ' Woodville, April 11. The police requisitioned a number of local.men to assist in tracing ■ the , .fugitive Powelka. .These'left'at midday,'and will patrol the, Rnahine Tanges. Local volunteers '■ are awaiting . authority.. from tho .nead .office\ to. torn out and: assist the police.; ,' :. '■ ■ ' ':' : '\- The residents in; outlying districts are very much';disturbed. '..... . Powelka .is known .to a number of men in this district, who, have worked with him. : . . "'.' '•'.'■■

SOME PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS BY ONE;WHO KNOWS POWELKA. (By Telegraph— Special Correspondent.) Napier, April 11. A local resident, who is a new arrival from Aehhurst, has ■ a very interesting storv to tell concerning Powelta.

"I have known him," tie said, "about five, years. When he first came to Ashhurst he was one of the pleasantest young fellows you could wish to meet. I used to knock about' with him, and naturally saw a great'deal of him. He was very popular. About four or five months ago he. became very ill, and was taken to Paimorston Hospital, where he was delirious. When he , came out he did not return to his. Ashhurst employers, Messrs. Hart Bros., but worked at the abattoirs at Longburn. He married Miss Lizzie Wilson, of Ashhurst, an extremely'popular girl, who- kept. a small' fruit 6hop and tearooms. He had only been married three days when he began to ill-treat' her. Sirs. Powelka. applied for a separation order and got it, but he seems to have induced her to take him back. He pretended, to commit suicide in a.small lake near' Longburn, with 2ft.' of water, and was put in gaol,, whence" he .escaped. He is dark compjexioned, and of Polish origin."

LETTER FROM POWELKA. "TO THE. JfAN-HUN/TEBS OP ■ '■♦'' . . ASHHTXEST." ' The police found . a letter,, signed by Powelka, and written on/a dirty scrap of paper, .with a blunt pencil or piece of.lead, in a.hilly on.the gatepost at Mr. Grammar's place . at Ashhurst, on Sunday morning. Powelka ; complains in the letter that he is being blamed for things he did not do. He denies having set fire .to "the two-storey house in Palmerston," and goes on to say that he was in hiding within a few feet of Mr. P. Hanlon, his brother-in-law,' when the latt-er, made a remark to a constable who was with him that he (Powelka) had shot at: his' wife twice. Powelka denies having fired at Mrs Powelka. The note' was addressed to "the man-hunters of Ashhurst." . • ■ ■ WHY THE REWARD WAS INCREASED. STATEMENT BY DR. FINDLAY. Speaking to a Dominion reporter yesterday, Dr. Findlay, Minister for Justice, stated that it had been. decided to uicreaso the reward in connection with Powelka from to .£IOO for the follow-, iug reasons; — ; ■'..■• ; First of all, because of the necessity for enlisting the active assistance of any.sottiers who might know anything of the fugitive. \ . ~ •" . ' . '.Secondly, to counteract any feeling of hesitation due to fear, on the part of those who might know anything: . Thirdly! on account of the grave importance of the position.generally, which appeared to be revealed • by Sunday .night's proceedings.' Eegarding the additional arrangements to. cope with the situation, Dr. Findlay said:—' . , . "Inspector Ellison, who left for the scene yesterday, had. special instructions to co-operate with Inspector Wilson, of Wanganui, with a view to the holding of a thorough and vigorous search;

Inspeotor Ellison left for Palmerston North yesterday afternoon to direct the operations of the police in the search for Powelka. Sergeant Dart and sixteen probationers also left for Palmerston yesterday to join in the search. An operation was performed on Sergeant Maguire yesterday afternoon, when the surgeon succeeded in locating the bullet. The operation was successful in .every respect, and the patient came through as well as could be expected. At 5-55' p.m. a message was received that the sergeant was progressing favourably, no serious symptoms having developed.

"All' the available probationers at the police depot, were dispatched by yesterday afternoon's train for Palmerston North, under Sergeant Dart, officer in charge of the depot. These men should be of: great service in connection with the search." Asked whether.it was intended to call out any of the members of. the defence force, •Dγ. Findlay replied:— "Altogether there are now over 60 police officers and men, including the probationers, engaged in, the-.work.' : With the assistance which is promised by civilians and the additional incentive which the increased reward offers, it is felt that ample arrangements have now been made to bring: the'search to a successful issue at once." " ,

GOVERNMENT PROCLAMATION. : EEWAED AND "-DESCRIPTION OF THE FUGITIVE. The following is the text of the proclamation which has been issued by tho Minister for Justice offering i£loo for any person who will give' information leading to the apprehension of Powelka:— v ; JOHN JOSEPH POWELKA: ' . - ■■■: ' Mm. reward; Whereas on the morning of the 23rd. March, 1910, one John Joseph Powelka,

a prisoner on' remand on charges of housebreakuig, escaped from the Lambton Quay lock'-up, at Wellington,' where ho was detained in , lawful custody: it is hereby notified that a REWARD OF ONE HUNDRED POUNDS will be paid to any person who first gives such information as leads to the apprehension of the said John Joseph' Powelta. JOHN G. HNDLAY, Minister of Justice. Department of Justice (Police), Wellington, 9th April, 1910. DESCRIPTION. I Ago about twenty-two, height about sft. 10in., butcher, .native of Oxford, New Zealand, medium build, dark complerion, dark-brown hair, blue eyes, medium mouth, nose, and chin, usually clean shaven (had about ten days' growth of beard when he escaped), large scar near left shoulder-blade, scar on inside of left knee-cap, pinched features;- dressed in dark-grey coat, dark vest, greenish tweed trousers, light well-worn shirt (torn in front), blucher boots, no hat, collar, or socks. Apparently he has now procured and is wearing other clothing. REQUEST FOR THE VOLUNTEERS. A request was made yesterday that the Woodville Rifle Volunteers should be called out to assist tho police to capture Powelka. It is understood that it was decided:not to.accede to the wish unless ■altered circumstances rendered such astep imperative,