NOTES AND INCIDENTS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 790, 13 April 1910, Page 6

NOTES AND INCIDENTS.

A TALK WITH POWELKA. BRIEF AND TO THE POINT. Mr. M. E. Laybourne, as reported in yesterday's issue, had a short, but uncomfortable interview with Powelka on the outskirts of Palmerston last night. His own account of it, as told to the "Manawatu Standard," is as follows r— "Upon reaching my home at 6 p.m. my wife reported to mo that she saw a suspicious looking character running across the paddocks from Ruahine Street to Fitzroy Street, about a quarter .of an hour before my arrival. I at once decided to report this fact to the police, and left my-house for this purpose. As I reached East Street I noticed a man slowly walking towards. Ferguson Street. After passing him I inquired from several men who were in the street if there were any scouts about, whereupon one gentleman remarked: Tes; one of them has just gone by fully armed.' "I turned back at once, and on my bicycle rode.quickly to overtake the supposed scout, who . turned up Ferguson Street towards Fitzroy Street

"As I was passing him, I asked: 'Are you one of. the scouts?' to which he plied Tes.' Not being satisfied with his appearance and the way' he answered; I rode on and turned up the drive to Mr. Baldwin's residence- with the intention of asking Mr. Baldwin to communicate with the police.

"I bad only gone about ten yards up the drive, when to my surprise the man called, upon me to stop. On looking round I found he was close behind me and covering me with his revolver I at • , once dismounted, when he came olose to me and .seized me with bis right hand, keeping mo covered all the time with bis revolver,in his left.

"I said to him, "What might your name bejisitPowelkaf He replied Tes, that's my name, and don't you forget it, you know,' in a very threatening man-, ner. I answered, 'All Tight;' whereupon he released my hand, and made oft" up' Ferguson Street-towards Fitzroy Street." RUMOURS AND DISAPPOINTMENTS. A report was telephoned to the police from the Milk. Pasteurising Factory at Hokowhitu on Monday that Powelka was seen to. cross the paddock next Mr. J. B. Pascal's residence and go through the lagoon and on towards Fitzherbert Street. The police went round'tha paddock ina motor-car, but 6aw no sign.- of anyone, and one or two > enthusiastic- civilians went through the paddock, but were also disappointed. Still another rumour had it that the missing man was seen in the Esplanade at about the same- time, while further reports' came from Terrace End that he had ..been prowling, about .there. All these rumours produced' nothing. •" Again a resident found a suspicionslooking visitor near his house in Ferguson Street East Just before midday. A .contingent, of policemen and; civilians beat the hedges'.and adjacent, propertiesi but were again disappointed.

LIMITING THE ASSISTANCE. . ONLT'SELECTED MEN NOW, . .". : EMPLOYED. ■■ V , The following: telegram was dispatched by the Hon. Dr. Findlay (Minister for Justice) to,.the Mayor, >bf' Palmerston North yesterday morning:— , . "In order to organise the. present , search for ..Powelka .upon, ; the ■' and most effective lines, I respectfully .: suggest to you that fyoui -co-operate ~ with the police in limiting'the voluntary assistance, of civilians to capable" and: : reliable men. Possibly you have - already done this. In such event—or should you do so—please accept 'my thanks."', In reply the Mayor of Palmerston telegraphed:— .. "Thanks for,, your wire. I have been in constant touch with the police for some. 1 days. Wo are quite of opinion that it is not advisable to call for further ; voluntary assistance'. The . number : has. been considerably limited to select men. If necessary I will take ; further action."