POWELKA AGAIN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1032, 19 August 1911, Page 4

POWELKA AGAIN.

MAKES A DASH FOR liberty. BUT IS RECAPTURED. On Thursday, Joseph Powelka make his fourth attempt to cast off the restraint ot the law, and gain that freedom which lies beyond the prison walls. A good deal ot excitement was caused in Wellington when a report went round: “ Powelka has escaped again.” At one stage of the day there were some hundreds of people in the streets in the vicinity of the Terrace Gaol. The police turned out in great force, and, in an hour and a half the fugitive’s outing had been ended. It seems clear that Powelka, who was doing cobbling at the Terrace Gaol, and had been building up a reputation for good conduct, bad lately been concocting a scheme for another dash. A few days ago he made something in the nature of an attempt to get clear, but this failed, and he bided his time.

Thursday’s effort was made at about an hour before noon, and at that time part of the gaol staff were away with a gang oi prisoners, and others were in attendance at the Supreme Court. Owing to his previous attempted escape, he had been under special watch, but, nevertheless, while his warder’s back was turned, he contrived to get to the top of the wall, and dropped over unseen. Just how it all happed is doubtful. A warder’s wife saw him land over the wall, and reported that he had also jumped a neighbouring fence, and got into the yard of the residence of Mr W. H. Bennett, in Woolcombe street. When the news was received at the Wellington police station, all available constables were at once dispatched to the scene, about fifty being engaged altogether. The main body were concentrated about Woolcombe street, but some were sent to certain “ outposts,” such as the hills behind Karori, and, hours after the capture, some of the outpost men were still unaware that Powelka had been retaken.

Powelka was found under Mr Bennett’s house. It appears that Constable Taylor and Warder Richardson went under the house, the former striking matches. The house is high in front, but the ground slopes up under the flooring and gradually approaches it. Right at , the back Constable Taylor accidentally put his hand on the man, who was lying covered up with papers. “ I’ve got you, Powelka,” said the constable. Powelka did not reply, and Taylor then put the handcuffs on, and Richardson coming up the two dragged Powelka out. When Taylor called out “I’ve got him !” someone outside called “ Shoot ! Shoot I”

“ For God’s sake don’t shoot,” said the escapee, “111 come quietly ! ” When Powelka was being taken out, however, he struck at someone, but the blow did not land. He also denounced one of those present. Somebody remarked that Powelka was a nuisance, whereupon Powelka asked:

“ Well, why don’t you shoot me ? ” The escapee is said to be very “fit” just now. He is looking a picture of health and his strength is testified by those who arrested him. What will be done with him in the future is a matter of conjeccure, Some suggest that he should be sent to the South Island, as he knows the country adjacent to the Wellington gaol. His previous attempt of a few days ago was made by sawing through the bars. He got partly through the opening, but the hole was not big enough, and he stuck half way, and the nightwatchman came on the scene in time to stop his progress. In any case it is thought that he would not have got out of the prison property. The saw blade was a new one, and it is thought that Powelka had an accomplice. A recentlydischarged prisoner is mentioned as the likely assistant. A bicycle was found lying near an empty house close to the place under which Powelka was captured, and it is possible that this was left by the accomplice.