THE SEARCH FOR POWELKA.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 12 April 1910, Page 2

THE SEARCH FOR POWELKA.

FURTHER DETAILS

[I>EH I'll ESS ASSOCIATION.] PALMER,STON N., April 11. The. police, assisted by several civilians, aro continuing the search for Powelka, but so far without result. The whole of the outskirts of tho town have been patrolled and paddocks and lagoons searched, but the fugitive has disappeared most completely. Inspector "Wilson took charge of operations to-day, and Inspector Ellison arrives this afternooir to assist. This afternoon the party at present out searching will go augmented. by a force of territorials under the local officers, and it, is also quite probablo the residents will form a vigilance committee. Several public institutions nro being watched at night, including the grandstand at Awapuni. The latest bulletin regarding 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 TTokowhitu. and a posse of police, together with armed civilians. had left for tho scene. On Sunday morning, a resident of Ashhurst found a note from Pow--ellca in a. milk can that had been left at his gate. The noto had been written on a piece of paper with a blunt pencil or a niece of lead. Tt was .addressed: "To the Mnnhunters of Ashhurst.". lie complained of being accused of nianv things ho did not do. and denied, having set fire to'a two-storey house, in Palmersten. He said be was in hiding within two feet of his bro-ther-in-law, P. Hanlon, wJien tho latter remarked to a constable that he (Powelka'l had shot at his wif' l twice. Powelka denied having done this. ANOTHER TERRTRLE TRAGEDY. SEARCHER SHOOTS SEARCHER. A FARMER STUCK UP. There was another terrible tragedy in connection with the Powelka chase yesterday, when ono searcher shot another. Tho man who had the misfortune to lose bis life was Mr Michael Quirke, brother of the local detective. It appears that Mr Quirke came to Palmerston to take part in tho search for Powelka. Ho returned yesterday from Ashhurst, whither, he had accompanied his brother. Ho followed the police to the various false i alarms during tho day and was working his way along Seandia street on the Terrace End side in search of Powelka when the fatal shot was fired. Sergt. Bmvden, of Feilding and Mr AY. H. Overtoil,of the Terrace End Hotel, had stationed themselves under a macroearpa hedge forty yards from Church street. Deceased was walking along watching the various houses when, he was challenged by the two. Ho ■ paid no attention, but stooped down. The cry was then raised of "Powelka I Powelka!" "There ho goes!" It was then that the shot was fired which blew the top of tho voung fellow's head off and riddled his cap with shot. Quirke dropped like n stone. Someone shouted "He's mine!" and a general rush was made by the crowd to the f.cene of the shooting. Then the warning cry wont tin, "Look out! Ho may still shoot!" but not a movement camo from the prostrate form. A terrible picture was revealed when a lamp was shown, aiiid the horrified cry camo: " Tho wrong man!" Ho lay in a. pool of blood with his revolver still clutched in his right hand. * Just then he drew a deep breath, which 'everybody thought was his last, but he lived to be taken to the hospital in Mr Pringle's motor car. Dr. Martin was very quickly in attendance, but the case was hopeless, and he died at the hospital. The crowd was absolutely stunned bv the shock. Deceased was very well known in town, especially to the members of the local force, and at Pahiatua, where ho is in business as a hairdresser and tobacconist, a.nd. ncai which his people reside. He was widely popular and respected. FARMETTSTUCK UP. At about ten minutes to seven last evening, as Mr Alfred Richards, farmer, of Stone,v Creek, was driving along East street in the direction of Fergusson street, ami I just as he was crossing Church street, he states that he was suddenly confronted by a. man, who immediately covered him with a. revolver, and at once jumped into the front of the cart as it was goin <r and demanded if he had anything to eat. On being in formed in the negative he seized the driver by the throat, With the other hand he rummaged amongst the parcels in the cart, only leaving a wicker basket containing clothes untouched. During this time the vehicle liad gone about two chains. Powelka, finding nothing, disappeared over the back of the cart, covering Mr Richards with his revolver till he passed the light. Alter going another 80 yards to where ho considered himself Mv Hicliards raised the alarm. , _ Mr Richards, on being iinterviewed. said: "T am positive it was I nwelka having done business with him at the abattoirs, 'and also in various butchers' shops. liis expression was wild and terrified m the extreme, and his mind seemed unhinged. There was a long scar over the right eye, and there wero mud splashes on ;his face. He smelt very strongly of unnk. & has two revolvers, one a spiral barrel and the other a slioht one. H» had both in his hands when ho got into the cart, but afterwards put one in his pocket." ERWARD INCREASED TO £100. The Government yesterday decided to increase the reward for information leading to the capture of Powelka to CI 00. SERGT. MA GUI RE'S CONDITION Sergt, Maguire lies at the_ Hospital in"much the same condition, but as he has not got worse as expected there is just hope that his hfo may be saved. _ . , , w l Mrs Maguire arrived from Wellington at 0 a.m. yesterdav, _ after a miserable six-hour motor drive m the rain.