POWELKA THE UBIQUITOUS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 359, 9 April 1910, Page 5

POWELKA THE ÜBIQUITOUS

POLICE OPE\ T FIRE.

TilK MAN ESCAPES,

By Telegraph.—l're«» Aiwo«atlon. Pahiatua, Friday. A man > is believed to be Powelka was t'liiiso<l by tlic police last evening. They tired upon the runaway, who escaped. The man evidently saw the constable at the same time, and made oil' at a. gallop. Ai tlie en.l of a two-mile chase the 111aa !eii his horse and made off through the bush towards the river. The police followed, but l>y this time it was getting dark.

The horse, which belongs to Mr. C. F. Turner, of I'almerston, was caught by the constables ami brought into I'aliiatua.

lowelka was wearing a green slouch hat. dark tweed overcoat, and a lie* pair of lo:i'4 legging.

Pahiatua and the surrounding districts ha vp been thrown into a state of excitement, while the surrounding country is in a state of ferment, and settlers are out with firearms.

The police from the surrounding districts are Hosing round.

POLICE PATROLS.

BRIDGES AND ROADS PICQUETTED. Pahiatua. Friday. A strong patrol of police watched all round last night in search of Powelka, and concentrated at Makomako this morning. The bush in which Powelka sought tiding .was searched at daybreak without result. It is reported that Powelka was seen crossing the Mangahao river. Every road and bridge is being watched, and the police force is augmented by farmers in the vicinity, who are. extremely anxious.

The horse ridden by Powelka has been identified as the one stolen from Palmcrston iNbrth on Tuesday night. * FURTHER NEWS OP THE ESCAPEE. AN ARMY OF CONSTABLES AT WORK. , Pahiatua, Friday, transpires that Poxvelka visited a ■store at Scarborough yesterday evening to buy fuse, but could obtain none, and rode away. When across the line at Pahifttua station he was seen bv Oonstable King, of Palmerston North, who is on patrol. Kin?, seen at Makomako this mormiur. said that Powelka, hearing a sound of hoofs, turned round. Although growin? dusk. Powelka galloped up -a hill with King in pursuit. Powelka'# horse wa.-i a speedy animal, and gained on King. but. being footsore and wanting two shoes, went slightly lame. King decreased the distance between them. When the top of the hill was ranched it was almost, dark. Powelka. seeine it was boneless to continue to ride, took advantage of the cover ofn bend in the fj&fldto dismount, 'bnii'lon hi« horse. Un the hill in the direction of Mntthsfcs' "misli.

fVijiiiifij up, King saw Powelka. revohyr in lirid, running; towards the buslj. and fired twice, but failed to hit I"#"/ "in into the bush and lost in the darkness. The Masterton nolice motored to Mangnmaire and examined the station and school for traces of the fugitive, but none were forthcoming. They went on to Mnrimn. stunned" at the bridge, and waMi"d till daybreak.' About fortv constables are encaged in the search at present, and more are bourlv expected. Tt is nrobnble the Tavarna ranges will be the scene of patrol to-day. There are no fresh development*.

DISAPPEARS INTO THE -DARKNESS. Paliiatua, Last Night. There is' nothing further to report in reference to Powekla, tlie gaol-breaker, except that a man of his stature was seen shortly after 7 o'clock ton-ight to emerge from a patch'of bush at the fax end of the bridge over the Mangatainoka river on the roud to the railway station, and cross to the other Bide and disappear into the darkness. It is generally believed that Powelka is still lurking in the neighbourhood of Pahittua. All roads are being closely watched to-night by the police, who are spread throughout the district. DETECTIVE CASSELLS AFTER POWELKA. Wellington, Last Night. Detective Cassells leaves Wellington for Paliiatua to-morrow morning to take charge of the operations of the police in the pursuit of Powelka. Palmerston Nortlf, Last Night.

A laige for:-;' of .police are out. in the town and t'lie ranges. The fact that a man supposed to be Powelka sought to purchase fuse -at Paliiatua yesterday is considered significant. Seeing it is alleged he took detonators, etc., froun it Palmerston store on the night of th« fire, the news that Che Government has offered £SO for information that will lead to his apprehension is' received with satisfaction in the tow*.

Powelka was some nonths' in the Palmerston hospital and the subject of a very remarkable operation (says the Manawatu Times). Three ribs were removed from his side and an immense abscess removed from the bottom of his lung. His recovery and subsequent proceedings only add to the marvel of the operation. Powelka must suffer considerably from the .present cold weather, as he habitually wears an overcoat on account, of chest weakness. He was married shortly after leaving the hospital, and it was his marital troubles! which led to his trouble with the police and the consentient. visit to the house that brought about the discovery of the collection" thai lie had be n makinjg from so many sources. Powclka was regarded as nn excellent and conscientious workman at the abattoirs during the mouths lie wifs (here. He'carried a revolver then, and was n crack yliot, being in the habit of practising on the rats.