SEEN ON PAHIATUA TRACK.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 9185, Issue 9185, 8 April 1910, Page 5

SEEN ON PAHIATUA TRACK.

TAKES SHELTER IN THE BUSH

REVOLVERS FIRED BY POLICE

AND POWELKA,

POWELKA AGAIN ESCAPES

Yesterday afternoon a rumour reached town that Powelka was known to havo left Palmerston and made- hie way on horseback up the Pahiatua. track, and subsequently a further statement reached town that the fugitive had been seen riding a horse that was generally presumed to be the one taken from Palmerston tho preceding evening. The polico authorities in town took prompt steps to ascertain tho accuracy of the reports. Constables King and McLeod being despatched at 4.30 p.m.' to the scene. Powelka, with the knowledge that tha whole country was aroused and on tho look-out for him, was necessarily handicapped in his movements, cover no doubt having to be taken whenever tho outlook was in any way suspicious from his j point of view. It was most likelv due

to the delay thus occasioned that the constables came up with him about a. mile on the Palmerston side of the Pahiatua railway station. Powelka and the police apparently saw each other at the same moment, and the escapee abandoned his horse and took to the cover afforded by adjacent scrub. The constables set out in hot pursuit, and before Powelka got well within cover revolver shots were exchanged, fruitlessly on both sides. Once within the bush Powelka got well out of sight of hie pursuers, who, after discussing the situation, decided to communicate with the nearest station, Pahiatua, which they did, and to watch the bush in the meantime.

The information sent into Pahiatua was forwarded on to Palmerston, and about 9 o'clock last night a motor car containing Detectives Quirke arid Siddells and three policemen left for the track. They arrived there without mishap, and, in company with a body of police from the other side of the range, made their dispositions for tho night. It was desired to surround the bush as closely as possible, eo as to give • the slippery Powelka the least possible chance of escape. This was done and a strict watch kept till daylight

The fact that it was Powelka who took the horse is clearly established by the animal being recovered after it-was left by Powelka, when Constable King, who was the best mounted of tho trio, got uncomfortably close to tho escapee. This fact was ascertained by a. telephone message from Pahiatua this morning, also the fact that when tho police searched tho bush at daylight this morning it was discovered that the fugitive had broken through the cordon during the night, and doubtless penetrated further into the- interior of the bush. The latter is pure surmise, but it is most unlikely that Powelka would go any closer to the roads or open country during the day than was absolutely necessary. Should he still keep clear of his pursuers it is prooabl© that he will make for Dannevirke. He knows the latter district well, having been employed there by a local butcher for some years. From information available there is very little doubt that the High School fire was the result of incendiarism and an incident t that occurred on Tuesday night throws additional light on the affair. It appears that Mr W. Park's eon Jack called on Tuesday night on some relatives residing near tho High School. He left .his bicycle just inside the fence at his destination, and just before the fire alarm was given he missed the machine. Yesterday Master Park inspected the bicycle that was loft at Mr C. Turner's residence when the lattcr's horse was taken and the machine proves to be tho ono taken from near tho High School on Tuesday night. There is thus established a clear connection between the man who stole the bicycle and the person who stole Mr Turner's horse, and there is also the strong suspicion from the locality from which the machine was taken and the outbreak of firo almost immediately that the latter was due to the escapee.

On Tuesday evening, after the High School was destroyed, a local resident, Mr G. Wilson, saw a man hide under some bushes in The Square. The attention of a bystander was drawn to the man's action, and the latter, seeing that he was discovered, feigned drunkenness. The thought flashed through Mr Wilspn's mind that the individual might be Powelka, but the bystander thought otherwise, and eventually they moved off to the roadway, the alleged "drunk" in the meantime quickly disappearing. On the following morning Mr Wilson decided to report the matter to the police, and on being shown a photograph of Powolka discovered that he was the man he had seen in the Square the previous evening. It should be explained that when the man acted as if intoxicated Mr Wilson held a lighted match close to his face, and therefore had a good view of him.