THE POWELKA PURSUIT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9188, 13 April 1910, Page 5

THE POWELKA PURSUIT.

POLICE STILL SGOURING THE

COUNTRY.

POWELKA ASLEEP,

DISTURBED BY A HORSEMAN,

ESCAPES TO THE BUSH

THE SHOOTING AT NO. 61. FER-

GUSON STREET,

Yesterday was not a particularly pleasant day to spend in the open country, but in spito of gales and heavy rain the pursuit of Powelka was continued with unabated spirit. All day long the police, civilian assistants,' and membe.s of the \olunteer force were engaged scouring the country, but without success After leaving the constable in the lurch at Bunnythorpe (particulars of this appeared in yesterday's issue), Powelka visited Mr Larsen's farm and then was lost sight of till between six o'clock and ha'f

past, when a horseman almost rodo over the escapee quietly sleeping close to some scrub. Powelka was awakened by the close proximity of the horse and at onco fled into the bush. The alarm was

promptly given, but before the police, who were not in tho vicinity, arrived oil the scene tho fugitive had once more made good his escape. There is, however, a large body of men engaged in tho pursuit, and every inch of the country is being searched. Since yesterday morning nothing sensational has occurred, and it is quite evident that Powelka has been lying low in some sequestered spot. There were rumours at five o'clock

last evening that he had been seen again in town near the Fitzherbcrt bridge. Troopers were sent to make an investigation, when it was discovered that a man had placed his head outside the door of his hut, and an excited individual who saw his action rushed to town with the news that it was Powelka.

Yesterday a section of the Dominion Scouts arrived from Wellington in charge of Capt. Dalrymple, to take part in tho chase for Powelka. It is understood that the Premier was instrumental in having these men sent here.

Shortly after cloven o'clock last night it was reported to the police that lights had been seen in an empty house on tho Rangitikei line, and the circumstances were deemed suspicious. Several members of the police available, together with local volunteers, were detached to the scene. The house was entered and in one of the rooms, asleep, was found an old man camped for the night, and it was the light carried about by him that had caused the alarm.

Since Monday morning decidedly unfair and —in the face of present knowledge—absolutely inaccurate statement# have been in circulation regarding tho shooting of Sergeant Maguire on Mr Hampton's lawn on Sunday night. It has been freely stated that Detective Quartermain, and not Powelka, shot Sergeant Maguire, the assertion being based on the fact that when Quartci-main and Hampton rushed round the corner of the house on Sunday night, as already detailed, they saw the flash of a revolver and Quartermain fired two shots at the flash. One of these bullets is alleged to have struck Sergeant Maguire. There is no foundation for this statement. According to Mr Hampton's 6tory of the incident, particulars of which have already been published in our columns, the Sergeant couldn't possibly have been shot by the detective, as the former was heard to make a remark to the effect that he was shot, and this was immediately after the shot was fired by the erect figure, believed to bo Powelka, and before tho detective fired on the fugitive. There is no doubt about this. When the attention of the detective and Mr Hampton was drawn to the fact that Sergt. Maguire and Powelka had come together they ran towards the spot, and while doing so a shot was fired. The detective saw a figure on- the ground and another standing up. The flash of the shot was from the man standing up, and as the detective knew the Sergeant was unarmed. and it couldn't possibly be he who had discharged tho revolver, he naturally fired at tho man who undoubtedly was tho aggressor and had fired on an unarmed man, who was in the act of arising from the ground. There is no doubt whatever but that tho allegations are based upon mere rumour, am absolutelv impossible and untrue, and it is altogether unfair that credence should be given to such improper st foments in view of the Known facts. As alrendy stated The bullet vas located by Dr. Martin when the Sergeant was taken to the Hospital, but it has not yet been extracted, as the doctor decided no I; to interfere with it at present < It is understood that the cap found on tho lawn at Mr Hampton's residence after Sunday night's incident has been identified by the owner as the cap stolen from the residence of Mrs Farlanc, of Terrace End, on Saturday night. An inquisitive Woodvilleito got a bit of a fright a night or two ago. He prowled into tho Gorge it is supposed with tho intention of laying hands on Powelka, and when crossing tho bridge he was ordered in ■ stentorian tones to "Hold up your hands!" Of course he did so, and then tho figure of a buny man appeared out of the gloom and demanded Lis name and address. I _ le able to convince his interrogator that he was not Powelka, or any relation of his, and was then allowed to drop his hands. The Woodville resident suddenly discovered lie had some important business to transact in Woodville. and immediately left for tho town, leaving his pilgrimage into the Gorge until some other time.

A DOMINION SCOUT EPISODE. Among the many peculiar things done by the responsible authorities in the Powelka affair, perhaps the strangest is the sending post haste from Wellington of a patrol of mounted men, while all locai corps ha,vo been passed over. Ii appears that Sir Joseph Ward asked for volunteers from t.hs Dominion Scouts of Wellington. and five enthusiasts responded, and were immediately despatched to Palmerstou. No volunteers were even asked for from tho Mounted Rifles of this district, who are more fitted in every way to engage in a search of this kind, and it seems an extraordinary thing that they should have teen thus passed over in favour of the estimable gentlemen from the city, who must be badly in want of equestrian knowledge, and whose innocence of tho lay of the country is quite proverbial. The newly-arrived disciples of tho immortal Holmes started brilliantly yesterday. They were responsible for the Scandia' street affair, which created such excitement and so much amusement at live o'clock last night. An excited Scout dashed so wildly up to the police station at that hour that everyone thought he had got some valuable information. When he had sufficiently controlled his excitement to articulate, he informed the police and the world generally that they had "got him bailed up" in a shed near_ tho river There was no mistake this time, fo" a Dominion Scout in full uniform had brought the startling information. Although heavy rain was pouring down at tho time a crowd of cyclists followed tho policc motor to be in at the death, The old fcllomngery was the scene of tho struggle-to-be, and it was carefully 6urrounded. Then thero appeared from tho whare tho form of a. mild-looking individual who wondered what all tho fuss was about. He was a carpenter workinc at the place, and had innocently ported his head out of tho window when a Dominion Scout happened to be about. That embryonic Holmes immediately scented a clue, and wasted no time; in getting to the police station. The re- ' turn of the motor car was hailed with much merriment, and the disgusted chaf-

feur, elbowing his way through the crowd, exclaimed : "Let me get somewhere- where I can swear !" •

TO-DAY'S DOINGS. Palmerston to-day is as solitary as a deserted town. The raccs for the time being have eclipsed the Powelka scare. Little or' no news is to hand about the doings or the whereabouts of the fugitive. After leaving Bunnythorpe ho must have made his way across country in the direction of Feilding, and there is no doubt that Kimbolton is his goal. No burglaries have been reported so far, and no one was disturbed last night in Palmerston at least. This morning's conflagration, cannot, on information to hand, be put down to Joseph Powelka, for he was probably twenty miles away when the outbreak occurred. The old proverb that "No news : s good news'' seems to have been accepted by the citizens of P.almerston, and today the police station has been almost deserted. Every man is again attending to his business. ■ The fearsome revolver and the terrifying rifle have for a short space boen placed where they will do little or no damage, and where they will remain till another scare comej along. The majority of the police are now paying their attentions to the district between Feilding and Kimbolton. They wero strengthened by another contingent this afternoon, and the fugitive is not likely to return to Palmerston to-night. SERGEANT MAGUIRE.

Sergeant Maguire passed a bad night and shows 110 sign of improvement today. His condition is causing grave anxiety. THE LATE MR. QUIRKE. The eagerness of the lato Mr Michael Quirke, who was fatally wounded on Monday evening, to engage in tho search for Powelka. will bo understood when we | state that he was a- former schoolmate and personal friend of Sergeant Maguire, who was desperately wounded on Sunday evening. Before leaving Pahiatua to take part in the search it was suggested to Mr Quirke that he could do little to secure the arrest of the escapee, and ho was asked to remain at home, but the affection he entertained for his old schoolmate was sufficient to induce him to leave, his home and business to engage in an undertaking which, unfortunately, had a tragic termination. The remains of deceased wero taken to Pahiatua -to-day, tho hearso leaving Palmerston about siv o'clock, via the Pahiatua track. The funeral v-'ill take place in Pahiatua this afternoon. Among the floral tributes was a beautiful wreath from the whole of the police officers at present in Palmerston, placed on the ccffin as a mark of their vesppefc for the deceased gentleman. THE FUNERAL. (Special to " Standard.") PAHIATUA, April 13. The remains of Michael Quirke, the victim of tho accident on Monday night, were brought over tho Tararua range to Pahiatua, arriving here at 10.20 a.m. The funeral will take place from the Roman Catholic Church, Pahiatua, at 2.30 p.m. to-morrow (Thursday). Detective Qiurke, on behalf of tho deceased's parents and friends, desires to thank all those who expressed their sympathy, and also those who followed the remains some distance from Palmerston ■ North on the way to Pahiatua this morning.