THE POWELKA SENSATION.

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 April 1910, Page 4

THE POWELKA SENSATION.

SEEN NEAR PAHIATUA. [BY TKI.IX.IIAPH PER PRESS ASSOCIATION] PAHTATCA, April 8. There i- i.< thing further to report in refvience lr» Powelka. the gaol breaker. A man of his .1 a'lire was seen shortly after seven io night to emerge from a patch of bush at the I'm Hid of the hiidge over the Mangitaiu,,ka River on the road to the Railway Station, and ;■< ross the oilier ndo and disappear in the darkness. It i- generally believed that Puw Ilea i- still lurking in the neighbour! 1 of Pahiatua. All roads are beinclosely watched to-nighl by the police, who are spread throughout lie district. PALMERSTON X . April 8. Detective Cass.dls leaves Wellington for Pahiatua to-mutTow im ni'.ng to take charge of the operations of the police in the pursuit of Powelka. PALMERSTON" N'.. April 8. ''here is no definite news as to Powelka. He is understood to be coining here and thue is a sluLur.oiit that ii,- ha- already returned from his visit .1 Pahiatua.

The tins bell rang uut just before 11 and the tire proved to be at Snow's late residence at Hokowhilu, recently purchased by Hildus Bergersen. but at present unoccupied. It was a commodious residence, but was burned to llie ground. A swagger was said io have been seen there this afternoon and as it is possible to foul the Vlainwatu river, near Snows house, and a man returning frutii Pahiutua over the hills could ciuss there to avoid the bridge, it is surmised that Powelka was about. A large foiee of police arc eat in ih" town ami on the ranges. The fact that a man (supposed lo lie I'owelka) sought 10 purchase ft.se ai l'ahiatua yesterday is considered significant seeing it is alleged lie look detonators, etc., from a Palm -rslon store on the night of the wciil tiles. The news that the Uovernme:il has offered £SO reward for information that will lead to his apprehension was received with satisfaction 10-iiitrht. (JIVES A CONSTABLE A CLEAN PAIR OK HEELS. THE COUNTRY ALIVE WITH POLICE. PAHIATUA, April C. It transpires that Powelka visited a store at Scarborough, near the Pahiatua railway station yesterday evening, to buy fuse, bul could obtain none. He rode away. When crossing tin' line at the Pahiatua .-tatinn he was seen by Constable King, uf Pnlmerston, on patrol. King, seen at Makomako this morning. said that Powelka, hearing the sound of hoofs, turned round. Although growing dusk Powelka galloped up a hill with King in pursuit. Powclka's horse was a speedy animal ami gained on King, but was footsore and wanting two shoos and went slightly lame. King decreased the distance between them. When the top of the hill was reached it was almost dark. Powelka, seeing it was hopeless to continue to ride, took advantage of the covin' uf a bend in the road to dismount, abandon his horse and clear up the hill in the direction of Matthew's bush. Coming up, King saw Powelka, with revolver in hand, running towards the hush am) fired twice, but failed to hit. I'owelka ran into the bush and was lost ill the darkness. The Masterton police motored to Mangainao and examined the station and school for traces of the fugitive, hut. none were forthcoming. Thev went on to Marina and stopped at a bridge and watched till daybreak. About forty constables are engaged in the search at present. More are shortly expected. It, is probable that the Tararua ranges will he the scene of the patrol today. No fresh developments are so far recorded.