The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, April 19, 1910. POWELKA.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 828, 19 April 1910, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Tu esday, April 19, 1910. POWELKA.

It is a matter for congratulation that Powelka has been re-captured and placed in safe custody. It is also a satisfactory co-incidence that the police officer who, to a certain extent, was responsible for his escape Irom the Rambtou yuay police station, should have taken a leading part in Powelka’s recapture. Constables Gallagher —to whom we refer above —and Thompson have proved themselves men of nerve, possessing coolness and courage, essentials necessary in our guardians of the peace. To have achieved their object without the shedding of blood is also a matter for congratulation. The re-capture of Powelka was fraught with grave risks. The escapee knew that every man’s hand was against him and we presume that under the circumstances and in his mental condition he would sell his life dearly. Now that his life has been spared it is probable that the sequel to the whole dreadful' business will be unravelled and the morbid and yet fascinating details and fresh developments greedily devoured by the public when he stands his trial. In the meantime the police are busy gathering up the links of evidence. Whatever the result of his trial, Powelka would bean excellent subject for the student of criminology. We shudder to think that even in quiet communities there lurk human beings whose morality or diseased brains are such that once started off on a set ol circumstances may lead them to greater acts of violence than even Powelka may be convicted of. .Such happenings have their warnings, and should stimulate 1 arents, guardians and teachers to inculcate lessons 0! morality to the receptive mind the child. What we all need is a closer cultivation of the super-man.