POWELKA ESCAPES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1209, 18 August 1911, Page 7

POWELKA ESCAPES.

BUT IS RETAKEN. A BRIEF BIT OF LIBERTY. BIG POLICE I'ORCE USED. Yesterday, JAseph Powelka mado his fourth attempt to cast oil the, restraint of tho law, and gain that freedom which lies beyond the prison walls. A good deal of excitement was caused in the city yesterday morning when a report went round: "Powelkn has escaped again." And, at one stage oi the day, there wero some hundreds of people in tho streets in tho vicinity of the Tcrraco Gaol. The polico turned out in great force, and, in an hour and a half tho fugitive's outing had bean ended. H teems clear that I'owelka, who was doing cobbling at the Terrace Gaol, ami had been building up a reputation for good conduct*, had latterly been concocting a scheme lor another uasli. A few, Hays ago lie made something in tho nature ol an attempt to get clear, but this failand he hided nis time. lesterday's ellor.t was made at about an hour uelore noon, and at that time part of the gaol stall were away with a gang oi prisoners, and others were in attendance at ttie Supreme Court. Owing Jo his previous attempted escape, ho had been under special watch, but, nevertheless, while Ins warder's back was turned, he contrived to get to the top of the wall, and drop over unscua. Jusi, how it all happened is doubtiul. A warder's wile saw him land over tho wall, and reported that he had also jumped a neighbouring leuce, and got into the yard of tho residence of .\lr. W. 11. Ucuuett, iu U'oolcoijibe Street. " 10 ! IL '"' 3 ,va3 received at tho noi lngtou, police station ali available constables were at once uispa tched to the sc-ne. about hity being engaged aUogetlwr. The main l:jdy were concentrated about Woolcombe Street, but soma were sent to cer-h-rnn '"f" SUtll I,S 1,10 ,iills k ' llllld Aiuorl, and, hours alter nie capture, some of the "output" men wtre still unaware that PoHeiki had Leon retaken. "MelJia was found under Mr. Bennett's House. - li appears that Constable 'lavlor ana Warder Jijii went under tho house, the ionmr siriiiing matches. The house is high in front, but (ho ground Hjopts up under the Mooring and gradually it. I'iKht at'tho-buck Constable 'lavlor accidentally nut his hand on the man, who was Iving covered un with papers. 1 I \e got . you, Powelka," said tho constable. Powelka did not reply, and Taylor then put tho handcuffs on l and Richardson coining up the two dragged Powelka out. When Taylor called out "I've got him! someone outside called "Shoot l Shoot 1" "IV God's sake don't .shoot," said the escapee, "I'll coma quietly!" \Vhen Powelka was being taken out, however, lie struck at someone, but the blow did not land. He also denounced oito of those present. Somebody remarked that Powelka was a nuisance,"whereupon Powelka asked: "Well, why don't you shoot rno?" The escapee, is said to be very "fit" just* now. "He is looking a picture of health, and his strength is testified to by those who arrested him. What will be dono with him ia the future is » matter of conjecture. Some suggest that lis should bo sent to the South Island, as lie knows tho country adjacent to the Wellington Gaol. His previous attempt of a few days ago was mado by sawing through the" bars. Ho got partly through the opening, but the hole was not big enough, and he stuck half way, and the nightwatchman c.-.ino on tho scene iu time to stop his progress. In any case it is thought that he would not have got out of tho prison property. The saw,blade was a neurone, and it is thought that Powelka had an accomplice. A recently-discharged prisoner is ' mentioned as the likely assistant. A bicycle was found lying near an empty house doss to the place under which Powelka was captured, and it is possible that this was left by tho accomplice. Our l'nlmerston correspondent .telegraphs: The news of Joseph Powelka's c-scapo was read with consternation in some quarters here, and there was great excitement and considerable comment until. tho further news came through that ho had been captured, at which there was a great sigh of relief.