POWELKA.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 19, 7 September 1911, Page 3

POWELKA.

STARTLING ALLEGATIONS

A private letter just received from a reliable and well-informed source in Wellingon, says the “Manaia Witness ” gives us the information that Powolka, previous to his present successful .escape, had made two previous hut unsuccessful attempts to get. out of the grip of his jailors, though the public was only permitted to hear of one attempt. On the first occasion ho was seized when half-way through his coll grating, and lie was found to be wearing a wellfitting suit of new black tweed clothes. Though an inquiry was held into the circumstances, nothing could be learned as to bow the clothing came into his possession. it is further stated in the letter just referred to that on the morning of his recent escape the police discovered a bicycle secreted at a convenient spot near the jail, which lias since remained unclaimed, and was clearly intended to. assist him in Ids flight. The confident Wellington detective theory is that, if only given time, he will go back to bis old haunts in the Palmerston district where his wife and child still are, after which his capture will certainly follow. That ho is at present being assisted by friends or sympathisers is well understood by the authorities, and to that fact is attributed his success so far in defying the whole . organised and keenly alert police force of the country.