POWELKA'S RECAPTURE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 9166, Issue 9165, 15 March 1910, Page 5

POWELKA'S RECAPTURE.

A VARIED EXPERIENCE OF LIBERTY. WORN OUT WHEN CAUGHT. Joseph Powelka, the furniture-lifter, who escaped from custody on Saturday, had -a very brief period of liberty, being recaptured, as stated yesterday, at Awahuri by Constables Barry and O'Sullivan.

His experience of liberty does not seem to have been quite so sweet as poets would have people believe. He had a rather harassing itime,_ and did not seem to be very sorry that he was back again under police protection. While the constables were standing on the Awahuri store verandah, Powelka walked past. He recognised them before they saw him, and as he passed put a handkerchief up to his face. Constable , Barry, however, had his suspicions arousI ed, and after consultation his brother officer jumped on his bike and rode ahead of the man. Powelka. saw the game was up and yielded .yithout any resistance Ho said he would go without the handcuffs, but the officers took no risks and their man was made secure. It would appear that as soon as he left the gaol Powelka made straight for the abattoirs, where he formerly worked. Strangely enough, as he was coming out of the U.F.C.A. right-of-way, he ran right into Mr E. 11. Kidd, who was one of the principal sufferers by his furniture-grabbing exploits. That gentleman, however, did not notice the runaway, although Powelka thought the game wa.s up. It was at the abattoirs that he got the overcoat and old brown hat, which he had left when working there. '

In the evening he had a very narrow escape. The police suspected that he would go towards Awapimi, and their motor car was travelling along the road when they overtook their man in the dark. Powelka brazened matters out, and looked as unconcerned as possible. He was unrecognised, and again breathed freely.

He then decided to make for Kirnbolton, his father's home, and it was en route that he called at Rowe's store at Bunnythorpe for lemonade and biscuits. Pie cycled on to Feilding, and sunrise found him on the banks of the Kiwitea, about two miles east of Feilding. Here he improvised a bed and slept under some willows, near the Kiwitea- bridge, remaining there till eleven on Sunday morning. He then walked along the bed of the stream till he came to a contractor's camp, where he obtained a meal and then returned to his camping place. At night he decided to make an attempt to reach his father's home. The police, however, were closely guarding the place, and Powelka somehow became conscious of the presence of the law's long arm, for he left his bicycle within a few yards of the desired haven, and beat a hasty retreat across country on foot. The morning light showed the members of the force at Kimbolton how near they had been to capturing their man, for his bicycle was only a. short distance from one of their outposts. Powelka then trudged on foot all the way from Kimbolton to Awahuri. He was thoroughly worn out when arrested, and in reply to a question by Constable Barry said he did not know where he was going.

Immediately on returning to Palmerston the runaway was brought before Mr A. D. Thomson. S.M., and it was decided to remand him to Wellington, whore ho was taken this morning, and where he will remain till the charges against him are formulated. He will then be returned to Pahnerston.

Powelka is only 22 years of age, and i 3s previously stated. He appeared to be absolutely worn out when in the dock yesterday and looked ill.