EXTRA EDITION.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 78, 4 April 1910, Page 8

EXTRA EDITION.

ESCAPED PRISONER. « POWELKA SAID TO HAVE BEEN SEEN NEAR AWAPUNI. RANSACKING OF A HOUSE. LOADED REVOLVERS. [BY TELEGRAPH — I'RESS ASSOCIATION.] PALMEIISTON N., This Day. Mr. and Mrs. J. Kendall, occupants of a cottage at Awapuni, near Palmerston North, when returning home on Saturday from town, noticed a bag just outride their gate. Investigations showed that it contained several comestibles which they recognised as previously forming part of their larder. They v.-cnt into the house, an<l there a startling state of affairs was revealed. The whole house was in complete disorder, and it wax quite apparent that it had been searched for money. Boxes had been thrown open and their contents strewn about the place. The intruder, it was evident, had brought with him a most healthy appetite. The dairy had been visited, and with the help of cream and milk found there, a loaf of bread, cake, and other eatables had been demolished. Mr. and Mrs. Kendall returned to the road to pursue their investigations, and whilst at the gate Mr. Kendall saw a man approaching along the road, and at once recognised him as Powelka, the escaped prisoner, and when tho latter «aw Kendall he presented a revolver and asked for money. Kendall said he hadn't any money, *and the man, with the gun pointed out, in forcible tones, that he was not "playing" the robber. Hi wai picturesquely masked with a piece of torn blouse belonging to Mrs. Kendall, while a handkerchief was tied around the lower part of the face. Powelka told Kendall not to labour under a misapprehension that the revolver was not loaded, and Kendall, thinking the matter ' serious enough, turned out his pocket, one shilling being thf> result. His wife at this stage returned, and Powelka, disappointed with the amount he had received from Kendall, transferred his attention to Mm. Kendall. He demanded her purse, and she produced a small bag from tha house which/ had already been the subject of Powe'lka's investigations. The latter became furious when he saw the bag. "You evidently think these are not loaded," he said, and he held the revolver close to the lady's head and fired. Mrs. Kendall fainted at once. At this stage of tho proceedings a cyclist appeared on the scene, and Powelka, of whoso identity Kendall says there can be no doubt, left, disappearing quickly in the darkness. The police are scouring the country for him, but so far he has not bern captured, although some later traces have been found nearer town.