POWELKA.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10014, 9 April 1910, Page 5

POWELKA.

STILL EVADES CAPTURE.

POLICE SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT.

Our Pahiatua correspondent writes —The presence in this district last evening of the goal-breaker, Joseph Fowrlka, caused a good deal of excitement in the town. Members of the police force arrived here last evening, and at an early hour this morning - , from various parts of the Wellington Province. However, up till six o'cloclc this evening, nothing has been hesrd or seen of Powelka, since the chase last evening, when revolver shots were fired ineffectively by Constables King and McLeod, and he was seen to disappear into a small patch of bush on the property of Mr J. Matthew's, Mangahao, near Ballance. Although a vigilant watch was kept, all* the chances were in favour of Powelka without being seen, as the couniry in the vicinity affords plenty of shelter. It apears that Powelka called at the Scarborough store, and asked for fuse, but the storekeeper did not have any in stock. He then turned down the road toward the Baltance Company's creamery, and half a mile down the road, doubled back toward the railway station on a grass road. When nearing the railway crossing he was noticed by Constables King and McLeod, who had ridden over from Palmerston North in pursuit of the fugitive. The chase recorded in yesterday's issue of the Age then took place, and several persons who witnessed it, from a distance describe it as most exciting. Further particulars ware given by Constable King as follows—After Constable McLeod and myself had travelled part of thi distance along the Palm-erston-Pahiatua road, we came across the footmarks of a horse with a shoe off, on the soft parts of the road. We surmised the rider of the horse was Powelka, and followed thise l marks until we had passed the Pahiatua railway station, Here we saw a man on horseback, whom we recognised as the man we were after. A challenge was given to stop, but Powelka, pulling his cap down over his eyes, got a flying start, and headed his horse in the direction of Birnie's Hill towards Ballance. Birnie's Hill is fairly steep, but both pursuers and pursued galloped up to the top, about threequarters of a mile in length, and then along the top of the hill, when Powelka's horse showed signs of tiring. When a piece of shelter bush on Mr Yule's land appeared in sight, Powelka leaped from the saddle and ran towards the bush. Constable McLeod followed, while Constable King rode on to i.o tercept Powelka on the other side, of the hill. The former fired two i%jts at the fugitive without effect, a.es

the latter came up from t*** ~ .. T , .e other side. It was now, h*- , , , , «««>..• , wever> almost dusk, anq as f>- „,. .. , , . j ' M owelka attempted to ra * s * hJ ". revolver, King fired, but I ,CJ *ot stop Powelka, who continued to run in the direction of the river. Here he was hidden from view, from both the following constables by scrub and trees, but Mr T. Walsh, of ti2e Pahiatua railway staff, who { was out jrabbit shooting observed j that the policemen were evidently j after a victim, and followng a spur lof the hiil was able to see PoweJka, 1 wade through the Mangahao river Injto Matthew's Bush. Word of the j whereabouts of Powelka soon'reached j Pahiatua, and other police were sent j for. A diigent search was made I I all around the surrounding country, but up to the present no reliable in- j formation as to the whereabouts of i Powelka has been sent into Pahiatua. j Quite a number of rumours are | heard concerning his being seen in different localities. Up to the present no robberies are reported in this district, and *t is not known in what way Powelka is obtainng food, as he was not carrying any provisions i with him. I

! The horse the fugitive was riding waff brought into town and recognised as belonging to Mr Turner, of Palmerston. Tied to the saddle was a macintosh coat of splendid quality, and Powelka was also wearing an overcoat w hen last seen yesterday. Palmerston people who have known this now notorious man for some considerable time, state that prior to his recent illness he was very popular amongst his fellow workers. Patrols of police are now scouring the countryside, and a strict watch is being kept over all roads this evening. By Telegraph—Press Association. PAHIATUA, Last Night. JjThere is nothing further to report in reference to fPowelka, the gaolbreaker. A man his stature was seen shorly after seven to night to emerge from a patch of bush at the far end of the bridge over theflviangatainoka on the road to the railway station, and to cross to the other side, and disappear in the darkness. It is generally believed that Powelka is still lurking in the neighbourhood of Pahiatua. All roads are being closely watched to-night by the police, who are spread throughout the district.

DETECTIVE CASSELS,

By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, April 8. Detective Cassells will leave Welington for Pahiatua to-morrow morning to take charge of the oper-

ationn of the police in the pursiit of Powelka. ANOTHER MYSTERIOUS FIRE. VARIOUS THEORIES. A REWARD OFFERED. By Telegraph—Press Association. PALMERSTON N., Last Night. There is no definite news as Powelka. tie is understood to be coming home, and there is a statement that he has already returned from his visit to Pahi-nu*. The firebell rang out just before Jl o'clock, to-night, and the fire proved to ba at Snow's late residence, Boknwhitu, recently purchased by bilrius tiergerseo, but at present unuccupied. It was a commodious resider.ee, out was burned to the ground. A swagper was said to have been seen there thij afternoon. It is possible to ford the Manawatu river near Snow's house, and a man returning from the Pahiatua hills could cross there to avoid the bridges. A large force of police are out in town and on the ranges?. The fact that a man, supposed to be Powelka sought to purchase a fuse at Pahiatua yesterday, is considerable significance, seeing it is alleged he to<k detonators, etc., from a Palmeiston store the night of the fire.

The news that the Government has offered a £SO reward for information that will leid to his apprehension wao received wit i satisfaction to nig) i.