POWELKA.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 827, 16 April 1910, Page 3

POWELKA.

A LOCAL EPISODE. The position in regard to the escaped prisoner Powelka, has now become so serious that the police will not allow any report, no matter how trivial, to go by without making the fullest investigation. It will be remembered that in our last issue, we stated that it had been reported that a man had fired a shot at the local train as it was travelling between Himatangi and Motuiti on Wednesday night, and on an examination being made of the engine a mark was found on the cab which could possibly have been caused by a bullet, but which may equally as well have been caused by a thousand other things. However, the matter was reported to the police and enquiries were instituted. A local Sherlock Holmes with visions of the reward, informed the police that he had noticed a suspicious-look-ing tent in some scrub between Motuiti and Himatangi, near the spot where the shot was alleged to have been fired, and in consequence of this information, Detective Quartermain, Senior-Constable Woods and a representative of this paper proceeded to the spot yesterday afternoon, determined at all costs to effect the capture of this alleged Powelka. On arrival near the scene a consultation was held as to the best means of approaching the camp, and it was finally decided to surround it. Before proceeding further, however, the shooting irons, were carefully examined and the press representative, who was not armed, was given a bludgeon, in case he should be attacked by rabbits or mosquitoes. The descent upon the camp was now commenced in earnest, and after creeping through the scrub, the manhunters caught a glimpse of outside. Visions of Powelka and the tent, and a bicycle standing promotion rose before the police officers, and our representative gripped his bludgeon firmly and prepared to fight to the last. There was no sign of life about the place and the threatening state of the weather added to the solemnity of the situation. It was now found impossible to surround the tent and a fresh plan of campaign had to be mapped out. Stealthily the three searchers emerged from the cover of the scrub and approached the tent, led by the burly constable with his shooting iron ready for action. When within three feet of the entrance the form of a man appeared, and had it been Powelka, there would have been no chance of escape for him as the enormous revolver held by “ the limb of the law ” was almost down his throat. Not a word was spoken and the only sound heard was the wind whistling through the trees. The constable’s eyes glistened as he thought of sergeant's stripes, but on making a closer examination of the man trembling in front of the barrel of the revolver the visions of promotion vanished from his sight like a beautiful dream, and he recognised the man as a local inhabitant. However, the detective thoroughly searched the individual and tent and discovered a seven-chambered revolver which was taken possession of in the meantime. There was no trace of ammunition. As the man had no right to camp on the property the police officers ordered him to “ move on.” It was decided to make as full investigation as possible and with this end in view the party proceeded to Himatangi and made enquiries from a number of residents, but nothing of importance was brought to light.

SCARE AT LONGBURN

[Special to Herald.] Palmerston N., This Day,

Bast night a butcher’s shop at Lougbmu was broken into and a quantity of sausages and other meat stolen therefrom. The affair has caused a great deal of excitement at Longburn and as usual the robbery is credited to Powelka. The police are at present making enquiries. INQUEST ON LATE SERGEANT MAGUIRE. The inquest in connection with the death of' Sergeant Maguire was opened at Palmerston North at 11 o’clock this morning before Mr A. D. Thomson, S.M., actingcoroner, and a jury. After the jury had been sworn in they were taken to Mr Hampton’s residence in P'ergusou Street, the scene of the tragedy. The enquiry was resumed at 2 o’clock this afternoon aud Mr C. A. Loughnan, Crown Prosecutor, who appeared on behalf of the police addressed the jury. Evidence will be given by Detectives Quartermaiu and Siddells, Cnn-iables Dunn aud King, and Mr Hampton.

In connection with the incident of the sticking up of Mr Daybourne on Monday night, a summons has been issued against a Palmerston resident on charges of assault, and the matter will be ventilated in the Magistrate’s Court.

It was rumoured in Foxton yesterday that a man was arrested on a charge of impersonating the escapee and sticking up people, and that a carrier had been arrested on a charge of being an accessory after the fact in the matter of household goods said to have been stolen by Powelka. These stories are without foundation in fact.