THE POWELKA HUNT.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1220, 31 August 1911, Page 6

THE POWELKA HUNT.

. STILL AT LARGE. EVENTS IN OTHER CENTRES. There is still no news of J. J. Powelka. Large numbers of polico have been out all day and all night now for four rounds of tho clock, but not a sign have they seen of the man, and not a word have they heard of him. About the town a strict watch is still kept. Police, in other garments (him the familiar blue, are keeping watch in likely places. Opinion is more divided now as to whether tho fugitive is within or without the city. A good number have grown impatient, and turned over to the opinion that he left the city in the rear either on Sunday morning early or on Sunday night. That, however, is not the collective opinion of the police force. Others remember that about nine, days elapsed before ho left Wellington on the occasion of his long disappearance. Yesterday was another quiet day for rumours that were worth hearing. In fact, Powelka as a topic was hardly a livo 6ubject.

BALL-ROOM SEARCHED. The members of tho local police have been instructed to take no chances in connection with the arrest of Powelka. One of the forco went even as far as to invade the Sydney Street Schoolroom during the progress of the Wellington College Old Girls' Association's annual ball, and took a good look round to assure himself that the escaped "prisoner was not among the guests. It is understood that Powelka might have thought a dance an excellent opportunity of securing Mich necessities as a good overcoat and a pair of boots. Needless to say Powelka's name did not figure on any of the young ladies' programmes. THE PEELING OF PALMERSTON. Ifly Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.l Palmerston, August 30. The Powelka business is being taken very quietly in Palrnerston now, thmgh, of course, the man's immediate relatives a.re anxious, a-s also arc a number of people who took an active part in his chase and capture when he was Jcose here before, and those who gave evidence against him. The general opinion is that ho is still located somewher" in Wellington, though a few who know urn. well aro o: the opposite idea, and thine that he is making his way to this district. Powelka's wife and her mother still reside at Ashhurst, and a good deal of sympathy is expressed for them, though it is not thought for a moment that they will como to any harm should Powelka get back here. The police are reticent as to what is going on, but it is generally understood that efficient precautions (so far as the number of men at command will allow) are being taken.

POWELKA'S "DOUBLE" ARRESTED. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Auckland, August 30. A constable on his beat in Shortland Street in the city to-night noticed a man resembling Powelka anil took him off to the police station. Curiously enough, in addition to facial resemblance, he had a mark on his arm similar to one which Powelka is said to bear. The man was ablo to prove to the satisfaction of.the officers that lie was not tho escapee and \va- accordingly released. . . WATCHING THE POETS. Christchurch, August 30. Thero is always a possibility that tho escaped prisoner Powelka may manage to elude .the police in the North Island and cross into tho South Island. Various steamers and other craft trade from different ports in the North to as many ports in the South, and it is conceivable that Powelka. may secure a passage. All ports in the north are being closely watched, and the southern ports are under similar surveillance. Jntimation of the escape has, of _ course, been telegraphed to every police, station in New Zealand, and every officer has been instructed to keep a look out for the escapee. The local police are at a loss to account for tho facility of Powelka's escapes from tho Terrace Gaol. One officer states that modern feeling is against the adoption of stern precautionary measures when dealing with notorious escapees, and that might have something to do with it. No doubt Powelka could be made amply secure, but the public would riot tolerate the thought of a man "languishing in prison in chains." At one time the public were not so ten-der-hearted, as he had himself seen prisoners parading Wellington streets with leg-irons on. He did not know whether leg-irons were still in use in prisons, but he had not seen them in public for many years. A prisoner like Powelka, if he was to be kept safely in custody, seemed to require more thaa an ordinary measure of surveillance.