PURSUIT OF POWELKA.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 250, 13 April 1910, Page 5

PURSUIT OF POWELKA.

Distressing Tragedies. Joseph Powelka, a native of New Zealand, 28 years of age, who had been committed for trial at Palmerston North on five charge 3 of burglary, escaped on March 12th, by placing a bucket against the wall of the prison yard. He snatched up a bicycle outside and thus got away. He was captured at Awahuri two days later and taken to Wellington, but again escaped from the cell in which he had been locked, getting clear away to the country. All efforts to capture him up to the present have proved futile. A reign of terror is in existence at Palmerston North, where Powelka had returned. The Government has off-' ered £SO reward and increased it to £IOO for his capture. Hundreds of citizens and large bodies of police have been scouring the country day and night and most exciting episodes have occurred, including two very tragic affairs. On Sunday night. Powelka was discovered by the police in the premises of £ private residence and Sergeant M?gqire gripped the map, a desperate struggle ensuing. Powelka wrestled violently, both men falling to the ground, when Powelka ahot his captor through the stomach, and then escaped. Maguire lies in a most critical condition. On Monday night a most distressing tragedy took place at Palmerston North, Mr Michael Quirke, a hairdresser and- tobacconist of Pabiatua, being shot in mistake for Powelka by Mr Overton, of the Princess Hotel, who, together with Mr Quirke and others, was assisting in the search for the fugitive. It appears that Mr Overton, armed with a shot gun, mistook Mr Quirke, armed with a revolver, for Powelka. Both raised their wpapons, at almost the same time, Overton's gun being discharged first and Quirke's brains being blown out.