SATURDAY NIGHT'S DOINGS.

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

SATURDAY NIGHT'S DOINGS.

A MEAL IN FERGUSON STREET

When Mrs Farland and her daughter returned to their home in Ferguson street on Saturday evening after their usual excursion to town they found a really startling state of affairs. The house was in a state' of disorder, and everything pointed to the fact that the temporary - occupant had come with a good appetite and departed with everything likely to satisfy that appetite for some time to come. No valuables were taken, but the thief had had a splendid supper, doing away with a goodly array of food. Ho had then filled a sack with provisions, taking bread, butter, pickles, cold moat, etc., thus depriving the household of the greater part of Sunday's eatables. It was also apparent that the visitor needed some warm clothing. Ho he-id taken a lady's cloak from the stand, but found it would not fit him, and so ho left it somewhat damaged by his determined effort to get inside it. v THE FIFTH FIRE. If all the appearances at Mrs Farland's house pointed to the fact that Joseph Powelka had been the visitor, this conviction was further strengthened when three hours later, within three hundred yards'of the spot, the fifth fire of the 'week broke out. It was again in an unoccupied house, situated on the corner of Scandia street and College terrace, and was owned by Mrs A. W. Woodward, formerly of Ashhurst. The house has been unoccupied at least since 'Xmas. and was a fine seven-roomed structure formerly owned by Mr A. Kingsbeer. It was insured for £400 in the Commercial Union. . , The town clock had just chimed the first hour of morning when the fircbell rang out the alarm. From the town the glare seemed far away, and many people, having Joseph Powelka in their mmds, immediately came to the conclusion that he was visiting his vengeance on Ashhurst, for the glare appeared to be right in that direction. However, they were mistaken. When the Brigade arrived on the. scene the house was well in the grip of the flames, and the adjoining residence, occupied by Mr A. H. Fuller, was also being attacked. This latter place is only a few feet from the destroyed building, and the Brigade, under Superintendent Warner, did excellent work in saving it: Superintendent Warner wisely decided to return a contingent of men to Palmcrston immediately he had taken in the situation, and a cycle brigade of half a dozen rode back to the central station to remain in readiness for any further conflagration- Luckily none came. Mr Fuller retired to bed early in the evening, but his wife, who remained awake, says she heard footsteps about the unoccupied premises next door as early as ten o'clock. It was reported persistently at the fire that an old jvoman had been sleeping in_ the house, and had been seen to leave just before the outbreak, but this had no corroboration. Just after 12 o'clock Mrs Fuller again heard movements, and woke her husband. He went out on to the verandah to investigate, and saw flames bursting through the building next door. He rushed down the street to give the

alarm, but could find no means of doing so, and then returned to save his furniture. Ono. of the numerous nightwatchmen saw' the glare in tlie town and gave the alarm. A STONEY CREEK INCIDENT. Other reports state that Powelka travelled from Ashhurst to Palmerston along the main road, or within easy distance of it. Last evening at 6.45 p.m. a man is said to have knocked at the door of the little church in the Stoney Creek road. The knock was answered by Mr McLeavey, a well-known settler. The caller had evidently mistaken, the building, for he enquired for Mr G rovers, who keep the store and post office next door to the church. On being informed of his mistake the stranger, a tall slight dark man, turned away and within the next couple of minutes Mr Grover was disturbed by a knock at the door, it wae the same tall slight dark man, and standing well back from the light that streamed through the open door he icpresented himself to be a police officer on the watch for Powelka.. and as it was a wet night he would be glad if they could lend him an overcoat. Suspicion was aroused by the man's evident determination not to come within the rays of light, and as his conduct was altogether unlike that of a, bona fide police officer's would be under similar circumstances the coat was refused, and information, of tho occurrence eent in to Palmerston. That was about 7 o'clock, vyhich would give hiip half an hour in which to make his return appearance in Ferguson street. It seems very improbable, however, that the man who figured in the Stoney Creek incident could have been Powelka.