POWELKA.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10018, 14 April 1910, Page 5

POWELKA.

ASLEEP IN THE SCRUB. DISTURBED BY A HORSEMAN. ESCAPES TO THE BUSH. i THE SHOOTING AT NO. 61 FERGUSON STREET. Yesterday, says the ''Manawatu Standard." was not a particularly pleasant day to spfcnd in the open country, but in spite of gales and heavy rain, the pursuit of Powelka was continued with unabated spirit All day long the police, civilian assistants, and member of the volunteer force, were engaged scouring tne country but without success. After leaving the constable in the lurch at Bunnythorpe,Powelka visited Mr Larsen's farm then was bßt sight of till between six o'clock and half past, when a horseman almost rode over the escapee quietly sleeping close to some scrub. Powelka was awakened by the close proximity of the horse and at once fled into the busb. The alarm was promptly given, but before the police, who were not in the vicinity, arrived on the scene the fugitive had once more made good his escape. There is, however, a large body of men engaged in the pursuit, and every inch of the country is being searched. Since yesterday morning nothing sensational has occurred, and it is quite evident that Pjwelka has been lying low in some sequestered spot There were rumours at five o'clock last evening that ha had been seen again in town near the Fitzherbert bridge. Troopers were sent to make an investigation when it was discovered that a man had placed his head outside the door of hi 3 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 Welling ton in charge of Captain DaJrymple to take part in the chase for Powelka. It is understood that the Premier was instrumental in having these men sent here. Shortly alter eleven o'clock last night it was reported to thajpolice that lights had been seen in an empty house on the Rangitikei line and the circumstances were deemed suspicious. Several members of the police available, together with local volunteers, were despatched to the scene. The house was entered and in one ot 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 I. alarm.

Since Monday morning decidedly unfair and—in the face of present knowledge absolutely inaccurate statements have been in circulation ! regarding the shooting of Sergeant ' Maguire on Mr Hampton's lawn on Sunday night. It has been freely itated that Detective Quartermain, '> md not Powelka, shot Sergeant Maguire, the assertion being based »n the fact that when Quartermain it.d Hampton rushed round the corier of the house on Sunday night, as ilready detailed, they paw the flash if a revolver, and Quartermain fired ;wo shots at the flasn. One of these wllets is alleged to have struck sergeant Maeuire. There is no foundition for this statement. According o Mr Hampton's story of the incilent, particulars of which have already been published in our columns, ;ne Sergeant couldn't possibly have jeen shot by the detective, as the iormer was heard to make a remark ;o the effect that he was shot, and :his was immediately after the shot vas fired by the erect figiure, beieved to be Powelka, and before the ietective fired on the fugitive. There is no doubt about this. When ;he attention of the detective and Mr Hampton was drawn to the fact that Sergeant Maguire and Powelka had :ome together they ran towards the jpot-, and while doing so a shot was ired. The detective saw a figure on :he ground and another standing up. The flash of the shot was from the man standing up, and as the detective knew that the Sergeant was unarmed, ani it couldn't pdssibly be he who had discharged the revolver, ae naturally fired at the man who indoubtedly was the aggressor, and lad fired on an unarmed man, who was in the act of arising from the rround. There is no doubt whatever DUt that the allegations are based upm mere rumour, are absolutely impusaible and untrue, and it is alto-

gether unfair that'credence should be given to such improper statements in view of the known facts. As already stated the bullet was located by Dr. Martin when the Sergeant was taken to the Hospital, but it has not yet Been extractd, as the doctor decided not to interfere with it at present.

An inquisitive Woodvi'.leite got a bit of a fright a night or two ago. He prowled into the Gorge, it is supposed, with the intention of laying hands on Powelka, and when crossing the bridge he was ordered in stentorian tones to "Hold up your hands!" Of course he did so, and then the figure of a burly man appeared out of the gloom and demanded his name and address. He was able to convince his interrogator that he was not Powelka, or any relation of 1 is, and was then allowed to drop his j hands. TheWoodville resident sudI denly discovered he had some import-

ant business to transact in Woodvine, and immediately ileft for the •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 ail local corps have been passed over. !lt appears that Sir Joseph Ward asked for volunteers from the Dominion Scouts of Wellington, and five enthusiasts responded, and were immediately despatched to Palmerston. No volunteers were even asked for ifrom the 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 *hey -should have been .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 the lay of the country is .quite proverbial.

The newly arrived disciples of the ammortal Holm°s started brilliantly yesterday. They were responsible for the Scandia street affair, which created such excitement and so much amusement at (five o'clookilast night. An excited Scout dashed so'wildly up to the police station at that nour that everyone thought he had gof some valuable information. When he had sufficiently controlled bis excitement to articulate., he informed the .police and the world generally that they had "got him bailed up*" in a shed near the river. There was no in.iatake this time, for a Dominion Scout in full uniform had brought the startling information. Although heavy rain was pouring down at tha time a crowd of cyclists lollowed the police motor to ba in at the death. The old i'ellmongery was the scene of the struggle~to-b2, and it was .carefully surrounded. Tuen there appeared from the wh*re the form of a mild looking individual, # who wondered what all the fuss'was about.

He was a carpenter working at the place, and had innocently poked his head out of the window when a Dominion Scout happened to be about. That embryonic Holmes immediately scented a clae, and wasted nD time h getting to the police station. The return of the motor car was hailed with much merriment, and the disgusted chauffeur, elbowing his way through the crowd, exclaimed: "Let me get somewhere where I can swear!''

"A BLANK DAY/' THE TOWN VERY QUIET. PALMERSTON N., -April 13. This has been a blank day in regard to Powelka incidents, and the town has been very quiet, as the ; police have been out scouring the country. Knots of people have gathered about the Police Station, but nothing like the rmmoers of recent days. Many reports have come in through the day from farmers and others who have seen a disturbance among their.sheep, or ha\e seen men disappearing in the scrub or bush, Every swaager now is reported as Powelka. Just before midnight last night, for instance, there was a call to. secure "Powelka" in an empty house about a mile out of town, and the police despatched dashed oft' on their errand. The house was surrounded and carefully approached, and an old man of 65, who had crawled out, awakened from his sleep. He was the "Powelka." This is only one of many similar raids with no better result. The police have constantly felt the want of aogs, and after this, there should certainly be a couple of balfbred cattle or bull terriers, at eacb station, which could accompany the constables en their beats and excursions, and be trained by them to scent out men. Had the police dogs Powelka could have been secured long ago, and especially at Ashhurst. There he actually lay in a toi toi bush in tha middle of a paddock, while the searchers were all round him. and searching the bush and scrub. Any dog would have made him reveal him self. This is the opiniun of Inspectors Ellison, Wilson and O'Donovan' and also that of men actually on the search, and the "Manawatu Daily Tiuies," which has pointed out the , absolute necessity of dogs from the beginning of the search,considers that the Police Department should see that such dogs, which may be selected from suitable strains, be attached tu all stations, but especially to country stations. The men would take a pleasure in training them.

OONSIDERABLE LOCAL FEELING. IN REGARD TO DOMINION SCOUTS. There is considerable local feeling over a party of Dominion Scouts, in uniform, under Captain Dalrymple, beine: brought from Wellington to join in the search. Members of the local volunteer corps and officers have assisted the police from the beginning as private citizens, and have done useful work m watches, etc. The Manawatu Mounted Rifles squad have been out, but they were informed that they must not be con • eidered as volunteers, but in a private capacity, and though the mounted men had no uniforms.

Other corps have similarly helped and volunteered for further service but while they were declined these Wellington men were accepted. The Woodville Mounted Rifles also arranged to scour the ranges, but were refused permission. The Wellington Scouts have had South African service, but so have scores uf local volunteers, who have the additional advantage of knowing the district. On the arrival of the Wellington Scout*, last night they got to work at once, and had "Powelka" bailed up in a tannery at Hokowbitu. In the midst of a storm the police were called out, and found them with rifles surrounding a man, who, of course, was not Powelka. The weather is again fine to-day, though very cold tc-night.

THE INQUEST ON QUIRKE. The cliief event has been the inquest on Michael Quirke, shot by Overton on Monday night. Mr A. D. Thompson, S.M., Acting-Coroner, conducted the enquiry. The evidence showed that Quirke, accompanied Sergeant Bowden. Overton and others in a motor car to the where Tow elk a was said to have been firing shots. They separated, and -presently he approached Bowden and Overton from another direction, carrying Bowden's revolver in his right hand. He was challenged and did not stop, and a bystander turned his acetylene byke lamp-full on him. When 'challenged he crouched and came on with a revolver presented instead of replying. After the third chiilienge by Bowden, Overton shot with a carhine, the bullet entering the top of Quirked head, and expanding and blew it off, at fifteen yards. Overton -a on! Bowden said they thought it was Poweika, and Ihathe was going to fire. Qjirke apparently thought they were., also, Powelka, though, this saems inconceivable.

There were •rmny psonle in the street and around them. Quirke was a sober and steady fellow, a tobacconist at Pahiatua., who joined in the search over there as a volunteer, and was with "it from Thursday to IVonday. After taking time to consider, the Acting-Coroner returned the following verdict-. "That the said Michael Quirke died by misadventure, that is to say, from m wound caused by a gunshot fired toy William Henry Overton in self defence, each at the time believing the other to foe one John Joseph Powelka, an escaped prisoner, who was known to be armed, and who was'suspected of having already used firearms to resist attempted arrest, and the deceased at the time the said William Henry Overton fired at him, having the same William Henry Overton covered by his revolver, and apparently ready to shoot." Quirke's body was to-day taken to Pahiatua in a hearse, and will be buried tnere at 2.30 to-morrow. SERGEANT MAGUIRE. Sergeant -Maguire's condition still inspires some hope. MAKING FOR FEILDING. (Own Correspondent—By Telephone.) PALMERSTON N.. 2 a.m. There is nothing new to report in connection with Powelka, but it is believed he is making for the Feilding district. The town has quite lost the "scare,'' and ths races are the general topic of conversation in town tonight. ■ Upon inquiry I learn that there is no difference in Sergeant Maguire's condition.