POWELKA.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 824, 9 April 1910, Page 2

POWELKA.

Joseph Powelka, the escaped prisoner, is said to be cornered in some bush near Pahiatua.

The Palmerston North police were informed early on Thursday morning that Powelka had been seen riding over the Pahiatua track and two constables were at once despatched in pursuit. It is stated that the police caught sight ol the fugitive near the Pahiatua railway station and gave chase. The police fired two shots at him and he afterwards disappeared into the bush. It was late in the afternoon, and the constables decided to watch the bush and a message was sent to Pahiatua to ring up the Palmerston police. A strong body of police were sent from Palmerston North and the Wairarapa. EATER. Pahiatua, April 8. A strong patrol of police watched all round the district last night in search of Powelka. A force was concentrated at Makomako this morning, and the bush in which Powelka sought hiding was searched at daybreak. No result is reported. Powelka was seen crosssing the Maugahao river. Every road and bridge is being watched, and the police force has been augmented. Farmers in the vicinity of the bush are extremely anxious. FIFTY POUNDS RFWARD OFFERED. Mr Buick, M.P. for Palmerston North, who had approached the Government in the m.uter of a reward, received the fallowing wire from the Minister lor Justice last night:— “I am in receipt of your wire. I had already decided to offer a reward, but as there seemed to be immediate prospect ol Powelka’s arrest, I withheld publication. I have now decided it; offer a reward of Fifty Pounds lo anyone who will afford information which will lead to the arrest of the criminal. Signed. — J. G. Finui.av.” THE EATEST. POWEEKA AT ASHHURST. [Special to Herald.] Palmerston N., This Day. Powelka was seen at Ashhurst this morning. He visited the house of his mother-in-law, Mis Wilson, with whom his wife is living, and apparently slept there last night, as it was found this morning that a bedroom had been disturbed. Mrs Wilson’s house is situated some little distance from Ashhurst, on a terrace overlooking the Pohangiua river, but she and her daughter had been living at a hotel in Ashhurst since Powelka had been at large, on account of certain threats alleged to have been made by him.

When Mrs Wilson and her daughter visited the house at nine o’clock this morning Powelka walked out, passed some remark to them, and decamped. The police are scouring the dis trict.