TRAGIC EVENTS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 361, 12 April 1910, Page 5

TRAGIC EVENTS

POWELKA SERIOUSLY WOUNDS SERGEANT MAGUIRE A SEARCHER SHOT DEAD IN MISTAKE SEVERAL PEOPLE STUCK UP THE FUGUTIVE STILL AT LIBERTY Bj- Telegraph—Press Association.

AFTER A HARD STRUGGLE. FUGITIVE TRACED TO A HOUSE. SURROUNDED BY STRONG FORCE OF POLICE. POWELKA ESCAPES. Palmerston North, Monday. The police tracked Powelka to the grounds of Mr. Hampton's house in Fer-guson-street, and shorUy after 9 o'clock last evening they had* the place surrounded by a strong force. When it became absolutely certain that Powelka was inside, it was decided to enter after him. Sergeant Maguire thereupon attempted to rush across the lawn towards the house, when a revolver shot rang out on the stillness of the night, and two other shots followed in rapid succession. The sergeant fell wounded in the stomach, and was immediately dragged out of danger.- Shortly afterwards it was announced, to the great relief of all present, that the officer was not fatally wounded. The fall of the sergeant temporarily stopped the hunt, but Ferguson-street is at the present time lined with police, who are armed with loaded revolvers. At the same time it appears that the searchers have lost sight of their quarry. ■Sergeant Maguire only took up his duties in Palmerston a few days ago; in fact, the Powelka affair was well on its way when he arrived here. His first appearance in the matter was at Ashhurst on Saturday, when he set in motion the first piece of or<*anisa ;ion which has been observable during the hunt. Because Powelka' did not fire on his wife or relations it was thought that ho was not desperate or dangerous, but the theory was exploded to-night. It is palpable that the reason he did not fire before was that the revolver and ammunition which he had at Ashhurst were obtained at different places, and that the cartridge would not fit the weapon. I The Times' special reporter telephoned at 1.30 a.m.:—lt transpires that the shooting affray occurred soon after S o'clock last evening, but owing to the police keeping' the affair very quiet it Was quite an hour later before the town was aware of what had occurred. As far as I can gather, as soon as Sergeant Maguire had convinced himself that Powelka was in the building he faced the position boldly and advanced towards the house. He was walking along the lawn when Powelka ran suddenly out and spr;mg upon him. A struggle ensued, lasting some time. Although Powelka is only a' lOst 101b man, he attacked the sergeant 'with such desperation that the latter was overthrown. Powelka- having freed himself from the sergeant's srrasp, shot at him as he was lying on the ground, the bullet entering his stomach.

The police continue reticent, but from what I can learn three shots wore fired, one by Powelka, and two bv Finger-print Expert Qvtartermain. It is not known ■whether the latter took effect. I saw Dr. Martin at half-past 12, and asked him as to Sergeant Maguire's condition. He admitted that the officer was desperately wounded, but was otherwise reticent. At 10 o'clock extra armed men were being sworn in, in order to surround the whole neighborhood of Ferguson-street. Refreshments are being provided for the watchers. Of course, the town is in a fearful state of excitement, and I met numbers of people leaving the vicinity of Fer-guson-street to take up temporary residence in the hotels. Groups of "people were to be seen in the streets till a late hour excitedly discussing the incidents of the ni<rht. There is no doubt that Powelka is a madman and thoroughly dsperate. The general opinion is that he will commit self-destruction, rather than fall into the hands of the police. I have just heard that two shots were fired at half-past 12, but it is not known whether thev came from the vicinity of Fersjuson-street. Powelka—if he has not sot clear awav —is in a locality favorablp to his purpose. There are belts of trees and other shelter in the vicinity. PROGRESS OF THE SEARCH TERRITORIALS ON DUTY. SERGEANT MAGUIRE IN A CRITICAL CONDITION. Palmerston North. Monday. _ The police, assisted by several civilians, continued the search for Powelka this morning, but so far without result. The whole outskirts of the town have been patrolled, and paddocks and lagoons beaten, but the fugitive has disappeared most completely. Inspector Wilson took charge of operations to-day, and Inspector Ellison arrives this afternoon to assist.

Tins afternoon the present party out searching will he augmented by a'force of Territorials under local officers, and it is also quite probable that the residents will form a vigilance committee. Several of the public institutions are being watched at night, including the grandstand at Awapuni. The latest bulletin regarding Sergeant Maguire is that he is in -a most critical condition. The bullet entered the abdomen in the right side, just Mow the liver,' and penetrated the stomach and bowels, severely lacerating them. The latest report is that Powelka has just been seen in the grounds attached to the Governor's late residence at Hokowhitu, and a posse of police, together with armed civilians, have left for the scene.

GOVERNMENT REWARD. INCREASED TO £IOO. Wellington, Monday. The Government has decided tu increase the reward for the capture of Powelka from £SO to £IOO. STILL UNCAPTURED TWO MEN REPORTED TO HAVE , BEEN '■STUCK UP." I THE POLICE RETICENT. Palmerston North, Last Night. Powelka is still uncaptured, though he is said to have been seen at various places, to which motor-cars with detachments of police and civilians on motorcycles, bicycles, and horses have rushed. Each siege failed. Two men are said to have been "stuck up," but it is almost impossible to get definite information from the police. SEARCHER SHOT DEAD BY A FELLOW-SEARCHER. To-night, Paddy Quirke, a brother of Detective Quirke, was shot dead by a fellow-searcher in the Ruahines. EXCITING INCIDENTS. .PEOPLE "STUCK UP" BY POWELKA. IN AND AROUND THE TOWN. NARROW ESCAPES FROM DEATH. Palmerston North, Last Night. The town continues in an exhausting condition of unrest, and the public volunteers in all directions to assist in the searches, and nlotors the country police from point to point. At about 6.50 p.m.. Alfred Richards, a farmer, of Stony Creek, was driving along East-street, at the eastern side of the borough, towards Ferguson-street, the scene of last night's searches, when A MAN WITH A REVOLVER in each hand sprang in his cart and de manded food. He rummaged about among the goods in the cart, and finallyseized the driver by the throat, while with one revolver of the two he had he impressed upon Richards that he must not reveal the incident. The man failed to find food. Richards, who had frequently had dealings with Powelka at the abattoirs and butchers' shops, is positive that his assailant was Powelka, who appeared terrified, and as if his mind was unhinged. He presently jumped down from the cart at a dark part of the road, and Richards drove on till he got out of sight and among the lights, when lie gave the alarm. "I AM POWELKA." At Baldwin's avenue, the next street from E&vst-street, and also crossing Fer-guson-street, the scene of last night's sensations, Mr. M. E. Leybourne, the local commission agent of Snow and Co., was riding along the street, when he met a man with a revolver in front of Mr. Percy Baldwin's residence. Leybourne said to him: "Hello, are you scouting, too?" The man replied, "Yes." Leybourne said: "Are you looking for Powelka?" , The man replied: "I am Powelka. Not another word, or you are a dead man." 1 He pressed the revolver to Ley bourne's forehead and presently walked Away. OBTAINS FOOD FROM A RESTAURANT.

Another incident to-night was the ap pearance of a grey-overcoated, hungrylooking man in Santo's restaurant, in the 'middle of the Square, at about 8 o'clock, who demanded coffee and flounder. The kitchenman believed he was Powelka, and opportunity was taken to ring up the police, but the man very rapidly consumed the food and left without paying before the .police arrived. The town is in a ferment, and parties are being despatched in all directions. OLD LADY AND CHILD ACCOSTED. At about 6.40 o'clock a man with two revolvers was seen in Church street, still in the same vicinity as the East-street and other incidents were enacted. He accosted! an old lady and child, and levelled revolvers at 'them, but let them /pass on. THE SEARCHER SHOT. The searcher shot to-night is Michael Qnirke, brother of Detective Quirke, and a hairdresser and tobacconist at Pahifttua. He joined the searchers at Pahiatua, near which his parents and brothers reside. He had assisted in the search up to the time of hit accidental death. Quirke was unmarried, aged about 37, and was a very popular citi zen of Pahiatua, and respected by everybody. INSPECTOR WILSON TAKES CHARGE. Inspector Wilson, in charge of the Wanganui district, took charge of the search operations to-day. STREET SHOOTING. POWELKA'S THREATS. A FATAL ERROR. Palmerston North, Midnight. This evening a revolver shot was fired apparently at some people who came out to examine a horse in their shed at the corner of Fitzroy and East streets. The bullet went over the)* . heads. The

shooter rushed into (he open ground of the next section, and, turning, fired another shot. The people rushed inside and barred their doors. At Ashlniist the residents are in a {Treat state of alarm. Powelka id alleged to have threatened to blow up F. HanJon's (his brother-in-law), a well-known local resident.

Mrs. Powelka is expecting to bccOmo a mother, and is terrified.

It appears that both Overton, the proprietor of the Princess Hotel, and Michael Qnirke mutually mistook each other for Powelka. Overton raised his fjun and Quirke his revolver. Overton fired first. Quirke did not die at once, ns at first thought, but has now expired at the hospital.