SERGEANT MAGUIRE SHOT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 9187, Issue XLI, 11 April 1910, Page 5

SERGEANT MAGUIRE SHOT.

TRAGIC OCCURRENCE IN FERGUSON STREET. ESCAPEE AND OFFICER GRAPPLE. MAGUIRE DESPERATELY WOUNDED. POWELKA AGAIN DISAPPEARS. MORE INCENDIARISM AND BURGLARY. A highway robbery, five serious fires, two desperate chases, and numerous thefts in all parts of the district have produced the most exciting week in the history of Palmcrston. , The people took the first two or three incidents calmly enough, but as it became more clearly evident that the author of all these crimes was bent on destroying, indiscriminately, the feeling of insecurity and uneasiness gradually increased. A terrible consummation was reached last night when Sergeant Maguire, a young and promising officer, was so desperately wounded by the miscreant that his life was from the first despaired of, and he now' lies in a verv low condition.

Tho week-end was full of incident. After Powelka's sudden reappearance in Ashhurst on Saturda3 r morning it was considered likely that he would at the earliest opportunity return to Palmerston. On Saturday evening a burglary was reported from Ferguson street East. Midnight had hardly been passed when the firebcll again rang out an alarm, and the destruction of a house in Scandia street added further to tho belief that the now dreaded escapee was again in Palmerston. The town was thoroughly watched till morning, but no further reports of attempted incendiarism or burglary came to hand. Then with daylight came further rumours. Powelka had been seen by various people in various parts of tho tow 7 n. It was reported that a man had made a bed in a baystack in Vogcl street, and investigation showedthat there someone had made himself comfortable with books and magazines. Then came word of a man of Powelka's build having been seen on Rangitikei Line; and still another that he had appeared near the flour mill. A further report stated that he had been seen in North street, and Detective Siddells and a couple of constables immediately scourod that part of the town, but without result.

Members of the local Volunteers and others joined in the search for Powelka at Ashhurst and along the Manawatu River from Terrace End to Awapuni. The search was continued all day, and Colonel Pringle and Staff-Sergcant-Major Dovey, accompanied by a number of police officers, motored round about the river bed in tho vicinity of Awapuni, At the back of Mr Slack's property they came across a camp bearing signs of having been occupied by someone in enforced retirement.

All these and other alarming rumours served to show that Powelka was hovering round Palmerston, and that something serious could be expected when night fell. But though many feared, few expected that that something would be fraught with such terrible consequences.