POWELKA.

Feilding Star, Volume IV, Issue 1168, 26 April 1910, Page 3

POWELKA.

OUTCOME OF THE PANIC WEEK.

McMINN SENT TO GAOL FOR A MONTH.

PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. Wellington, April 26. Powelka appeared in Court to-day on a charge of theft of breaking and entering and theft, and was further remanded, to appear at Palmerston next Friday. His health appeared to haye benefited by his sojourn in gaol. Palmerston, April 26. Giving judgment this morning in the case against A. F. McMinn for assaulting Mr E. Laybourne (as reported on page 1 of to-day's Star),- Mr Thompson, S.M., said that a constable was justified in using firearms to effect an arrest, but private persons had no such right. On the evidence, the Magistrate said he was not satisfied that McMinn represented himself as Pawelka, and it was posisble there had been a misunderstanding. The conduct of the accused before and after the incident seemed to Mr Thompson altogether opposed to the idea of his masquerading as Pawelka. The accused was convicted of assoult, but without the element of impersonation, as alleged. Even such a use of firearms as admitted was serious, and, while recognising that there had been recent occurrences which justified and approved the searchers, it. must be made plain that firearms were not to be used or even threatened. McMinn was fined £5. McMinn was also charged with assaulting E. Pratt with a. revolver. Ho was sentenced to one mouth's imprisonment. The Magistrate said that in this ease there were no extenuating circumstances, excepting that the"accused was assisting the police. His conduct altogether was outrageous, and must be recognised as that by anyone. Tbe Magistrate regretted that' one who had conducted himself so well during the day had got into such a condition during the evening as to commit the actions complained of.