POWELKA.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10022, 19 April 1910, Page 5

POWELKA.

IN WELLINGTON, BROUGHT BEFORE THE COURT. REMANDED TO PALMERSTON NORTH. THE CHARGE OF MURDER, f Powelka arrived in Wellington yesterday from Palmerston North at midday, ar d appeared before Mr W. G. Riddell, S.M. He was charged formally that on or about 6th August, 1909, at Palmerston, he did break and enter the shop ot Arthur Dixon, and did steal therefrom one butcher's steel, valued at 10s. Accused, who was handcuffed to Constable Gallagher on the one side and Police Probationer Gallery on the other—the men most instrumental in effecting his capture—was remanded til! Tuesday, 26th £inst., to Palmerston.

Apparently the excitement of pursuit gone by, Powelka has suffered the almost inevitable reaction. In Ihe Wellington court yesterday there was nothing of the desperado about his appearance. He was simply a narrow - chested individual with hunched shoulders, sunken cheeks, and a general unkemptness of hair and clothing. His weedy appearance was accentuated by comparison with the officers on either side of him. and altogether he looked as if threatened with a collapse.

Any fresh charges that may have *to be preferred against Powelka will be maae at Palmerston North, that being the disitrict in which it is alleged the offences were committed. It is understood that prisoner will be sent' from Wellington to Palmerston North for that purpose at an early date.

THE COMMISSIONER'S CONGRATULATIONS. THE POLICE COMMENDED. On Sunday morning the Commissioner of Police, Mr F. Waldegrave, who arrived in Palrnerston on Saturday, visited the police station, arriving just when the arresting constables were going through the prisoner's effects, and writing out their reports of the occurrence. The con stables were interrogated b/ the Commissioner upon the events of the morning, which were fully detailed by Constable Gallagher. At the conclusion Mr Waldegrave congratulated the latter upon his achievement, whihe is somewhat of a coincidence in that it was practically from Constable Gallagher's custody that Powelka escaped on the second occasion. The congratulations of the Commissioner have been re-echoed by members of the force, who have all expressed their satisfaction that the distinction should have fallen to Constable Gallagher.

COUNSEL RETAINED. Mr H. G. Moore (Palmerstcn North) has been engaged to defend ~Powdka when he comes before the court. Before leaving, counsel hed an interview with Ihe prisoner, and when he told him that it was possible he would have to meet a charge of murder, Powelka vigorously protested that he knew nothing about the occurrence.

A CHARGE OF MURDER. MADE AGAINST POWELKA. Powelka was accussd by Detective Cassells after capture of having murdered Sergeant Maguire. The charge of murder will be laic! against Powelka,"and he will be brought before the Court in due course. When accused of the murder Powelka made no statement.