THF FUGITIVE POWELKA.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 9186, Issue 9186, 9 April 1910, Page 5

THF FUGITIVE POWELKA.

POWELKA APPEARS AND DISAPPEARS. ATASHHURST. VIGOROUS SEARCH BY POLICE. Joseph Powelka has appeared at Ashhurst in a manner that is as sensational as any of his previous exploits. This morning he was discovered in his mother-in-law's (Mrs Wilson's) house, and he disappeared as suddenly and as mysteriously as he came. Mrs Wilson's cottage is situated in a lonely part of Ashhurst on a terrace overlooking the Poh angina river. In consequence of threats alleged to have been made by Powelka against his wife, Mrs Wilson and her daughter (Mrs Powelka) have made it a practice to sleep at one of the hotels in town. This they did last night, and on returning to their house this morning at about 9.30 they discovered that the lock of the back door had been picked. Mrs Wilson entered tho kitchen, and on doing so was confronted by her now notorious son-iji-law, who exclaimed: "Don't be afraid, mother !" The shock was too ' much for Mrs Wilson, and she rushed out of the house screaming and across to a neighbour's,

Mrs Powelka also going to the same place. At the neighbour's house they spoke to a man, and it is surmised that Powelka heard his voice, which hastened his departure, for he immediately bolted out the back way and over a fence. The last that was seen of the escapee was his disappearing over the terrace down towards the river, where plenty of shelter is obtainable along tho river flat.

An examination of tho house revealed the fact that Joseph Powelka had slept in his mothes-in-law's bod during her temporary absence, as the bed clothes were disturbed. He had apparently beerf hiding under the bed when she came on the scene, and he went out to the kitchen on hearing the back door open. In the bedroom are muddy footmarks.

Powclka's overcoat was found on a fence at the back of the house, and~ Tn its pockets were cartridges and detonator caps, while his hat was found some little distance away along tho road, giving evidence of his hurried departure.

Ashhurst is in a state of ferment, the people being greatly alarmed. All the men who can do so are out scouring the country in search of the fugitive, while a number of constables were sent out from Palmerston North as soon as possible after they had been advised of the state of affairs at Ashhurst. LATER NEWS.

There were 22 cartridges and some detonators in the overcoat pockets. The coat was a heavy fur-lined overcoat. It is thought that tho weight of the coat and jqaiitridges would have been too heavy for him to have carried walking, and he must have used a horse or bicycle to make his way from Pahiatua to Ashhurst.

Sergeant Maguire, accompanied by Constables Minoguc and Sylvester, arrived by motor car at 12.30 from Palmerston.

Constables Watts and Thomson, w r ho have been watching Ashhurst, were at Mrs Wilson's house within five minutes of Powelka's appearance, but the fugitive had gone by that time. Constable Watts discredits the statement that Powelka slept in the house. The constable inspected the house just beforo daybreak to-day, but saw no one there. It has been his theory all along that Powelka would return to the house, and frequently visited it on that account.

A report has just como to hand (2 p.m.) that Powelka was seen a. couple of miles further up the Pohangina river. There has been no trace of him near Ashhurst, and the whole town is engaged in the search. DETECTIVE CASSELLS TO TAKE CHARGE. Detective Cassells, of the Wellington force, left Wellington this morning to take charge of the operations of the police in the pursuit of the escapee.

OFFER OF A REWARD. The Minister for Justice has decided to grant a reward of £50 to any person who first gives such information .to the police as will lead to tho apprehension of Powelka, and placards to that effect are being printed by tho Government Printer. Information to this effect has also been received by the member for the district. HAMPERING THE POLICE. During the day the police have been greatly hampered by private citizene telephoning to the police station requesting information as to rumours respecting Powelka. While the police appreciate tho good intentions of .enquirers, and their desire to assist, it is obvious that such communications, unless accompanied by some valuable information, can only occupy the attention of an officer which may be urgently required in other respects, and the police would bo glad if enquiries prompted only by curiosity would not be sent. THE FINGER PRINT EXPERT. Detective Quartermain, the finger-print expert from the Commissioner's Office, Wellington, is in Palmorston in connection with the Powelka- pursuit, and he has taken over the duties which had to be hastily dropped by Detective Quirke. Detective Quartermain made his first appearance here in the inquiry into the recent fire at Mr Burnard's surgery, which is being held this afternoon.