NO TRACE OF THE FUGITIVE.

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

NO TRACE OF THE FUGITIVE.

THE BUSH SEARCHED AT DAYBREAK. THE DISTRICT IN A FERMENT. CONTINUING THE SEARCH. - (Special to " Standahd.") PAIIIATUA, April 8. Joseph Powelka has again eluded his pursuers, and at present his whereabouts are as mysterious as ever. It appears that he left Pahicrston early on Thursday morning, going down the back streets on the horse he had taken from Mr Turner's place. He crossed the Fitzherbert Bridge at about 4 a.m., and was sighted by a man who recognised him at 5 o'clock near the top cf the Pahiatua track. He continued on his way, and must- have come right into Pahiatua. Thp. police being made acquainted of his trip across the- Ranges, Constables McLeod and King were sent in pursuit, McLcod leaving firsf. Both were mounted, and they encountered the fugitive in a' lonely spot about two miles from

Pahia'tua on the main road. He saw them first, and instantly jumped off his horse and made into a small clump of scrub and bush on the top of the cutting near by. His reason for abandoning the horse was apparent immediately. The animal had almost been ridden , to death, and had gone lame, having cast two shoes.

Both officers having sighted their quarry in the distance, they immediately made after him, but ho got into the bush and scrub, and although he was shot at, and returned the fire, he got right out of sight. The nature of the country made •it absolutely useless to attempt to track him so late in tho evening. Word was immediatejy despatched to Palmerston, and a fast motor car landed all the available police on the scene before 10.30 p.m.

A close watch was kept on the bush all night, and it was thoroughly scoured this morning, but not the slightest trace of tho fugitive was found. Powelka had completely eluded his pursuers again.

Only those- who know the lay of the country can understand the difficulty in which the police were placed. The spot where ho disappeared was on the top of a high hill covered with scanty bush, heavy fern and logs, and stumps innumerable. It would be an easy matter for a man to elude a hundred in such country.

The police met at Makmako, a little settlement at the foot of the Pahiatua track this morning, and from there they distributed themselves all through the country. The little place was all commotion for a while, but the fugitive had not been sighted near there except when he passed through on the previous day.

All the country round Pahiatua is wildly excited. Ballancc, especially, is in a state of ferment, there being a big probability that the runaway has made for that district.

The country all about here is especially favourable for tho operations that Powelka engages in. Lonely farm houees, eome of them miles apart, offer tempting bait for a desperate man, while long gullies all covered with bracken afford ideal hiding places. It is stated that he knows the -district well, but it is thought very likely that he will attempt to make his way back to Palmerston, and all the roads are being watched.

Should he determine to return his task should be comparatively easy, notwithstanding the numerous watchers, because there are a dozen ways of crossing the ranges to one uap.d to such traffic. A REPORT FROM PAHIATUA. THE ESCAPEE CROSSES THE MANGAHAO. FARMERS GETTING ANXIOUS. v Per Press Association.) PAHIATUA, March 8. A 6trong patrol of police watched all round last night in search of Powelka, and concentrated at Makomako this morning. The bush in which Powelka sought hiding was searched at daybreak with no result. It is reported that he was seen crossing the- Mangahao river. Every road and bridge is being watched, and the police force hae been augmented. The farmers in the vicinity arc extremely anxious. CONSTABLE KING INTERVIEWED.

FORTY MEN SEARCHING

>Feb Phess Association.)

PAHIATUA, April 8,

It transpires that Powelka visited a store near the Pahiatua railway station yesterday evening to buy some fuse, but could obtain none. He- rode away and went across the line at Pahiatua station. He was next seen by Constable King, who was on patrol duty. The constable, seen at Makomako this morning, said Powelka, hearing the sound of hoofs, turned round, and although it was growing dusk the constable immediately recognised him. Ho was wearing a green hat, overcoat and new leggings. Powelka galloped up the hill with King in

pursuit. Powelka's horse at first drew away from King, but it was footsore and wanting two shoes. It went slightly

lamo and King decreased the distance between them. When the top of the hill was reached it was almost dark. Powclka, eceing it was hopeless to continue to ride, took advantage of a bend in the road to. dismount, abandon the horse and clear up the hill in the direction of Matthew's bueh. . On coming up King saw Powolka, revolver in hand, running towards the bush. Ho fired twice, but failed to hit Powelka. The latter ran into the bush and was lost in the darkness. The horse, a valuable animal, with saddle, bridle and overcoat strapped on, has been recovered. Constable King informed the Pahiatua police and Palmcrston and Masterton were communicated with. A detachment of men was sent from Palmcrston by motor and the Masterton police arrived by motor car in Pahiatua at 2.15 a.m. The former surrounded the bush where Powelka was hiding and waited for daybreak, when the bush was searched without result.

Matthews' bush is a narrow strip of arge scrub. It slopes down to tho Man-

gahao river,

The Mastcrton police motored to Mangamaire and examined the station and school for traces of the fugitive, but none wore forthcoming. They went on to Marima and stopped at the bridge, watching till daybreak, when they proceeded to Makomako, where the patrols concentrated this morning. About forty constables are engaged in the search at present and more are hourly expected. There are no fresh developments today. • EXCITEMENT IN PAIIIATUA. MASTERTON, April 7. Pahiatua and the surrounding district has been thrown into a state of excitement by the news that Powelka is in their midst, and that he is fully armed. The whole of the surrounding country is in a -state of ferment, and settlers are out with ( firearms assisting the police in the search. . | The police from the surrounding- stations arc closing round the listrict. Constable Gray has gone and Constable Collorton is spoming in from Tenui. \

At 10.45 o'clock to-night a posse of police, fully armed, consisting of Constables Dunn, Anderson, and Townsend, left hero in a motor car for Pahiatua to join in tho search for tho man. Masterton is catching the fever of excitement, and there is to-night, some uneasiness locally with regard to tho escapee.