THE LATEST.

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

THE LATEST.

DEATH OF MICHAEL QUIRKE INDISCRIMINATE ARMY OF CIVILIANS CRITICISED.

FURTHER SHOOTING. (By Telegraph.—Special OorresDonilenl.) Palmerston North, April 11. Michael Quirke ia dead. He .was 37 years of age. He came over from Pahiatua this morning to assist the police in hunting Powelka. The last report about Powelka is that he was seen in Broad and Duke Streets by a young fellow who knows him well. All sorts of stories are being told of the fugitive, many of them with a decidedly Munchausen flavour, magnifying his exploits as if he were a twentieth century Dick Tnrpin. It is,' however,, stated very generally that he was not concerned in the Foxton episode, and there is considerable doubt as to whether he had anything to do with the shooting of Sergeant Maguire. .It ia believed by some that the sergeant was accidentally shot by one of his own men.,

Detective Quirke'a brother has been shot in a similar manner by. a civilian, and it appears as if the indiscriminate arming of men unused to arms is a mistake; In fact, it is a general opinion that there has been altogether too much shooting by the people searching for the fugitive. Po'welka's intimate knowledge of Palmerston is ascribed to the fact that-he worked as a butcher in the place, and rodo on the delivery cart. Later he was employed by the municipal abattoirs at Awapuni, and a present-day rumour ascribes to him gifts of strength wonderful in a ten-stone man. . It is said that he could carry quarters, of beef, as if they were only 6heep. / . A Wonderful Shot. It is. a fact, however, that he. is'a wonderful revolver shot. ' He practised on the rats which used to frequent the abattoirs, and it was a common sight, it is said, for him to be seated at dinner with his mates, pull his revolver from his pocket, and drop off each marauding rat with the precision of a crack shot, pouring in bull's-eyes at a short distance.

Although he is said to have been a very quiet man, it is stated that his alleged threat to shoot his wife has led to all his recent trouble. He was married in September last, but his wife had left him. She is understood to have stated that she would come back to him if he furnished a house. This, it is alleged, he did with extraordinary rapidity by entering upon a wholesale scheme of burglary, in which his notable'disguise was a pair of- white whiskers. When he threatened to shoot his wife she complained to the police. He' was arrested with a revolver upon .him, and it was when the police went to his house to search for the ammunition that, they found the place fall of goods wnich they: had the description of as stolen.

"I AM POWELKA."

A STABTLING EXPBEIENCE. EEVOLVEB SHOTS AGAIN. (By Teleeraph.—Press Association.) - Palmerston North, April U. The town continues in a condition of unrest., . ; ■ ■ ' . Mr. Alfred Eicharde, of Honey Creek, who was held up, but"', frequently had dealings' with Po'welka at , 'the abattoirs and butchers' shops,'and is positive that his assailant was the fugitive, who appeared terrified, and 'as if his mind, was unhinged. Hβ jumped down from the cart at a dark part of the road, and Richards drove on .till he got out of sight and. among lights, when- he gave the alarm. ■ - i

A Man With a Revolver. - At Baldwin's Avenue," the'next street from East Street, and also crossing Ferguson Street, the scene of last nighf s sensations, M. E. Leybouine, local commission agent, of Snow and Co., was riding along the etreet when he met a man with a revolver in front of Mr. Percy Baldwin's residence. Mr. Leybourne said to him, "Hello, are you scouting too?" ■ ■ . ■ The man replied, "Yes." Mr. Leybourne said,' "Are you looking for Powelka?" The man replied, "1 am Powelka. Not another word or you ire a dead man," pressing the revolver to Mr. Leybourne's loreiiead, and' presently walking: away. 1 Another incident to-night.was the appearance of a grey overcoated hungrylooking man in Santos Bestaurant, in the middle -of the Square, about 8 o'clock, who demanded cofiee and a flounder. '■■ The kitchenman believed he was Powelia, and opportunity was taken to ring up the police, but the man very rapidly consumed his food,' and left without paying before the police arrived. . The town is in a ferment and parties are being dispatched in all directions.' About G. 4 0! o'clock a man with! two revolvers was' said to have been seen in Church Street, still in the same vicinity as East Street Another story was that he accosted an old lady and child, and pointed revolvers at them, but let them pass on. Michael Quirke, who was shot to-night, was unmarried. He was a very popular citizen of Pahiatna, and respected by everybody. Inspector Wilson, of Wanganui, took charge to-day., , Another Revolver Shot. This evening a revolver shot was fired apparently at some people who came out to investigate a noise- in a shed at the corner of Fitzroy and East Streets. The bullet went over their beads. The shooter rushed into the open ground of the next section, and, turning, fired another shot ,' The people rushed inside and barred their doors. /

At latest advices (2 ajn.) the condition of Sergeant Magnire was reported to have improved, and to be much more hopeful. With reference to an editorial note in this issue commenting on the attitude of the police, we learn once our editorial page went to press that the police officer in charge of ttio district had already taken steps fo discourage armed civilians parading the streets at night. He had welcomed all tho assistance possible during daylight in .fccouTing the country, but had early recognised the danger of civilians joining in the night operations. At 2.15 ajn. there was nothing fresh to record from Palmerston. •