FORTY CONSTABLES AT WORK

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LVII, Issue LVII, 9 April 1910, Page 5

FORTY CONSTABLES AT WORK

[PRESB ASSOCIATION.]

PAHIATUA, April 8. It transpires that Powelka visited a store in Scarborough yesterday evening to buy fuse, but could obtain none, and rode away. When across the line at Pahiatua station he was seen by Constable King, of Palmerston North, who is on. patrol. King, seen at Makomako this morning, said that Powelka, hearing a suond of hoofs, turned round. Although growing dusk, Powelka galloped up a hill with King m pursuit. Pow.elka's horse was a speedy animal, and gained on King, but being footsore and wanting two shoes, 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 the ride, took advantage of the cover of a bend in the road to dismount, abandon his horse, and clear up the hill in the direction of Matthews' bush.

Coining up, King saw Powelka, re vplver in hand, running towards the bush, and fired twice, but failed to hit him. Powelka ran into the bush and was lost in the darkness.

The Masterton police motored to Mangamaire and examined the station and school for traces of the fugitive, but none were forthcoming. They went

on to Marima ; stopping at the bridge, and watched till daybreak. About forty constables are engaged in the search at present, and more are hourly expected. It is probable the Tararua ranges will be the scene of patrol to-day. There are no fresh developments.