POWELKA THE OUTLAW

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 360, 11 April 1910, Page 5

POWELKA THE OUTLAW

11IS WIFE AND HER MOTHER ALARMED.

PALMEIiSTOX STILL IX A I'ERMENT!

By Telegraph.—Press* Association

Palmerston North. April 0

Powelka was seen at Ashhurst this niwning. He wis discovered in his' mother-in-law's Mrs Wilson's) house, which is situated in a lonely pari of Ashhurst.

In consequence of threats alleged to have been made by Powelka Mrs. Wilson and her daughter. Mrs. Powelka. have been sleeping at one of the hotels in town. On returning to the house thisJ morning at 9.30. Mrs. Wilson was confronted by Powelka, who exclaimed: "Oh, mother!'' and while Mrs. Wilson rusiied screaming from the house *iie fugitive bolted away towards the r/vcr. where there is plenty of shelter.

MORE FACTS AND HEARSAY

A FLY IXO SQUAD OF FIREMEN

ANOTHER OUTBREAK OF FIRE

INCIDENTS OF THE CHASE.

Palmerston North, April 10.

The chase for Powelka has continued with unabated vigor since Saturday, and has been full of incidents. After he was discovered by his mother-in-law in the house in which his' wife has been living at Ashhurst, about 10 o'clock on Saturday morning he disappeared over t'lie terrace to the riveroed on her screaming out. There is no authority for the report of his having been seen, but there are numerous stories to the effect that he was seen at various places over a range of country extending from Pohangina to Palmerston and covering about twenty miles.

Tlie large force of police under Detective Cas'sels (who arrived to take charge of the search yesterday afternoon), and Sergeant Maguire. were stragetically disposed for the night., hut lief ore 11 o'clock Mr. and Mrs. luii'laml, who reside on the eastern outskirts of Palmerston, returned home to discover that someone had entered the house through a window, had walked over a bed, regaled himself on whatever eatables were in the house, taking what lie could not consume; had turned over clothing and Selected additions to his wardrobe, and searched for money, which, however, lie failed to find. This incident raised tile suspicions that the fugitive might, when he disappeared over the rim of the river into the scrub below in the morning, had worked along the- Pohangina and Maiuiwatu rivers, through various belts of scrub, brush and plantations, back to Palmerston, entering it on the eastern boundary and taken an early opportunity of securing food and clothing, as lie had left hi.-J good overcoat and cartridges in its pocket, at ; liis mother-in-law's place in the morning, when lie made his hurried exit. The night was cold, with a piercing wind, and some little time later the iirebell rang out for a tire in the same locality, which proved to lie in an empty house by Mrs. Woodnrd. who was absent in Auckland. 'J ne house was insured in the Commercial (Mice for £4OO,

A Hying squad of the fire brigade, which lias been kept in readiness nil through the week for the outlvyig emergencies, was on t'he scene in extremely quick time, and though it was impossible to save the house, the Brigade made a wonderfully good "save'' of another wooden 'house right alongside of it. The burning of this house has characteristics similar to other burnings of the week, which have already involved the insurance companies' in over £BOOO of loss, and owners in consider- j ablv over this sum. I

There are about forty police wow engaged on the search, but without dogs it is extremely difficult work, as uiey may at any time have passed within a few yards of the fugitive, it is believed that they have done so. The community is very much disturbed by continued failure of the search, punctuated by sensational incidents which suggest the possibility of great further public loss.

Settlers who have been in town were yesterday being sent for by their wives to return home, on tlie supposition that Powelka was making for the Pohnngina and Kimbolton districts, where lie was well known and where he was liked. So far, though Powelka has a revolver, and is known to be a crack shot, it is believed that lie has not fired a shot. He did not return the fire when shot at by the police at Pahiutua. Some doubt is popularly expressed * as to whether he fired. In the incident of the decent on Kendall's household, it was said that he had declared his intention of shooting his wife and mother-in-law, and various other people at Ashhurst, but he had an opportunity on Saturday, and merely told them not to be afraid.

At Aslihurst there is great sympathy with bis wife, but none with him. In some parts of the district there is obvious sympathy with Powelka.