POWELKA ESCAPES AGAIN

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 58, 28 August 1911, Page 5

POWELKA ESCAPES AGAIN

THE WORK OF AN ACCOMPLICE. GETS CLEAR AWAY. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Joseph Powelka, the notorious man who-was sentenced to twenty-one years' imprisonment for buarglaries and arson in Palmerston and district, made his second escape from the Wellington Terrace Gaol early this morning, some time between 4 and 6 o'clock. Powelka bodily forced a small grating out of his cell. The grating opened into the yard, and, favored by the darkness, the prisoner got clear away. Later, a milkman reported having seen a man in white running near Kelburne powerhouse towards the Botanical Gardens. Over sixty police and warders are now searching in all directions. The Gardens have been thoroughly explored, without result. A man reports having seen a person, corresponding in description to Powelka, hurrying along a Hutt by-street in the direction of the Wainui bush. It is stated that the grating was screwed on from the outside, and the screws had been removed and the holes filled with putty, so that all Powelka had to do was to force the grating through at a convenient moment. It has been raining all day. WILL PROBABLY MAKE FOR PALMERSTON. Palmerston North, Last Night. The announcement of Powelka's escape caused considerable interest here.; His wife and child arc still residing in the district, and it is thought he will make for here. Senior-Sergeant Dart, who had charge of Powelka on one of his trips from Palmerston North to Wellington, is of opinion that he is almost certain to make straight back for Palmerston North. Notwithstanding his treatment of his wife, she seems to exercise a great fascination over him. He is a man of a hysterical, neurotic temperament, and undoubtedly a dangerous man to be at large. Powelka has now made his fourth escape. He walked out of the police station at Palmerston North, and later strolled away unnoticed from the Lambton Quay police station at Wellington. A week or two ago he got out of the Terrace Gaol in broad daylight, but his term of liberty was brief indeed.