POWELKA.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 826, 14 April 1910, Page 3

POWELKA.

POLICE STILL SCOURING

THE COUNTRY,

Nothing of importance transpired on Tuesday and yesterday. Powelka is reported to have visited Mr Larsen’s farm and then was lost sight of till between six o’clock and half past on Tuesday, when a horseman almost rode over the escapee quietly sleeping close to some scrub. Powelka was awakened by close proximity of the horse and at once fled Into the bush. Before the police, arrived on the scene the fugitive had once more made good his escape. A section of the Dominion Scouts have arrived from Wellington to help in the search, but why local men with a thorough knowledge of the lay of the country have been overlooked for this work is hard to conceive.

A sleeping swagman in an empty house on the Rangitikei Line was mistaken for Powelka, and the police took elaborate measures to secure their man. This is only one of the many humorous side issues of the chase. The remains of the late Mr M. Quirke were conveyed to Pahiatua at an early hour yesterday morning, via the Tararua track. The hearse was met near the railway station crossing at Pahiatua by a number of residents, who followed the remains to the Roman Catholic Church, where a service was held, after which the cortege weuded its way to the Pahiatua cemetery, at Mangatainoka, where the interment took place, INQUEST ON MICHAEL QUIRKE. An inquest to enquire into the circumstances of the death of the late Michael Patrick Quirke, the victim of the shooting accident on Monday night, was held at the Court House, Palmerston, yesterday morning, before Mr A. D. Thomson, S.M., district coroner. Inspector Wilson conducted the case on behalf of the police. Evidence was given by John Charles Tregurtha who witnessed the occurrence. Deceased was advancing and stooping low when the shot was fired He must have heard the challenge, but did not reply. Dr Putman gave evidence as to the injuries received by deceased.

Albert Oliver Torstouson gave evidence as to hearing the deceased challenged by Sergt. Bowden. The latter also gave his version of the affair.

Walter Henry Overton gave evidence as to directing the police to the vicinity where Powelka was supposed to be. Proceeded along East Street, and down Church Street. Stood on the corner of Church Street for a while, when Sergt. Bowden joined him, and they walked back on the righthand side of East Street 011 the grass. Someone called out: Powelka ! Powelka !” About this time he noticed a figure in front of them. The Sergeant cried out; “Police! Stand.” He then saw that it was a man approaching. The sergeant again called out; “Stand, Stand, Stand, or I’ll shoot.” The man immediately got down in a crouching position. Some people on the other side of the street then called out: “ Look out, he has a revolver.” He then went round on the other side of the Sergeant, having previously warned the people to get out of the way. When he noticed the Sergeant he was in an aiming position. The man was still crouched down, with his revolver pointing as if he was ready to fire. The people nearer to him than witness said: “Look out, he is going to shoot. ’ ’ Witness thought that the man was aiming at him, and he naturally thought that it was Powelka, aud thought that it was only a matter now of who fired first. He then raised his rifle, and fired, but did not see the man drop. Sergt. Bowden then called for a light, which was brought, and before examining the body asked who fired the shot. Witness replied : “I did.” Sergt. Bowden and Tanner then turned the body over, and when they discovered it was Quirke seemed horror-struck. The witness Overton was not asked any questions, simply making a statement from the witness box.

The Coroner gave the following verdict:—“ That the said Michael Quirke died by tnisad venture, that is to say, from a wound caused by a gunshot fired by William Henry Overton, in selldefence, each at the time believing the other to be one John Joseph Powelka, an escaped prisoner, who was known to be armed, and who was suspected of having already used firearms to resist attempted re-arrest, and the deceased at the time the said William Henry Overton fired at him having the said William Henry Overton covered by his revolver, and apparently about to shootSERGEANT MAGUIRE DEAD. [Special to Herald.] Palmerston N., This Day. Sergeant Maguire, the victim of the shooting affray in a garden in Ferguson Street, Palmerston North, on Sunday night, died at six o’clock this morning. He passed a very bad night on Tuesday and gradually sank,