POWELKA AT LARGE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 57, 29 August 1911, Page 5

POWELKA AT LARGE

By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Yesterday. f The police are keeping up an active j search for Powelka. At 2 o'clock no ! : trace had been found of the escapee. NO TRACES YET. HORSE AND BICYCLE STORIES. Wellington, Last Night. Up to 11 o'clock to-night the police, warders and detectives searching for the escaped prisoner, Powelka, have discovered no trace or clue. All roads and bridges are being closely watched. As the rivers are now fairly high, it is considered Powelka must cross streams by bridges if he is traversing the country at all. Late to-night a report, which has not yet been investigated, reached the police that some man procured a suit of clothes from a woman at Johnsonville yesterday. It is also stated that a horse is missing at Paekakariki. These incidents, if correct, support the theory that the escapee will make for his old haunts in the Palmerston district. It is also said that a man borrowed a bicycle at Petone late last night, giving a name which appears to be false, and promising to return the bicycle by noon to-day. Nothing has since been seen of the man or the bicycle. It will be observed that the latter story does not fit with the former so far as Powelka is concerned. Both reports have yet to be enquired into by the police. Palmerston North, Last Night. , Powelka's escape has been the subject of discussion to-day, chiefly by practical jokes. The Mayor received a request to place a large scroll, which he possesses, with the words, "Welcome to Palmerston," over the entrance to the town. Others forwarded a telegram to "J. Powelka, care of Police Department, Wellington," asking them to kindly advise when he might be expected, with a view to a municipal welcome. There is still a feeling that Powelka is likely to make for here, and all approaches to the town are being watched, but it would be quite easy to come in by the river beds and ranges. On the last occasion Powelka came up in a goods truck. ',