POWELKA.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10019, 15 April 1910, Page 5

POWELKA.

SERGEANT MAGUIRE SUCCUMBS. By Telegraph—Press Association. PALMERSTON N.*, April 14. Police-Sergeant Maguire, who was shot in Hampton's garden on Sunday night by a man believed to have been the escaped prisoner Powelka, with whom he had had a brief scuffle, succumbed to his wound at 6 o'clock this morning. It was known from the outset that Sergeant Maguire was desperately wounded, and his condition was critical. There appeared to be a slight improvement in his condition last night—due more than anything else to the officer's pluck. But the injuries 'caused by the bullet, which entered the abdomen, vero very severe, and death occurred at six o'clock. , It.was last month that Sergeant Maguire was appointed to the Palmerston.Station, and he only took up duties here on Friday. Mrs Maguire and the deceased's father, who have been in Palmerston since Monday, returned to Wellington this afternoon with the body. They have received many expressions- of sympathy and regret in their bereavement. The inquest will take place on Saturday. . WELLINGTON, April 14. The body of the late Sergeant Maguire was brought to, Wellington by the late train from Palmerston North to-night. The funeral will probably take place on Sunday afternoon. The inquest will ne opened at Palmerston North on Saturday. THE SEKGEANT'S GAKEER. All the members of the police force who knew the late Sergeant Maguire, and a very ,large circle of friends and acauai.ntances in private iii'e, will hear with sincere regret of his death. He was only about 41 years ol age and he had been a member of the force for sixteen years. He was born on the West Coast of the South Isla'id, his father being Mr B. Maguire, now living in Wellington. Some three years ago he was married to Miss O'Brien, of Newtown; there are no children. He joined he police force in 1894, and after serving in'Dunedin for some time, did duty, chiefly clothes, in the Mount Cook district. Twelve years ago he came to the central depot on Lambton Quay, and until the end of last week did duty in the district office, where he had attained the position of chief clerk. Four years ago he was promoted to the rank of sergeant. Quiet and unostentatious, in his demeanour, Sergeant Maguire earned the reputation among his superiors and colleagues of being a zealous and efficient officer, of never-failing courtesy',, kindly and considerate in his dealings with all manners of men, whether he has met them officially or unofficially, and it was a cause of common remark among his fellowmen that no one ever heard him say an unkind word of any one. Perhaps, as a consequence, no one ever heard any one speak unkindly o£ "Jack" Maguire, who, on'the other hand, had the respect and high regard of every one. When he left for Palmerston North only a few daya ago he was accorded a hearty send-off by all sections of the force in the city, and it was hoped that his health,' which had not been too good of late, would be benefited, considerably by the change from office work to the more open air life of outdopr duty. Whatever doubts may be felt as to his discretion ■in tackling a desperate man while himself unarmed, no one who knew him is surprised at his' having taken the risk. Under his quiet demeanour he had proved himself during his period of active service to be fearless and intrepid in the execution of his dutv. and when dangerous work was (o hand he was always ready for service. This sad ending to a promising ; career is greatly regretted. /

NO FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS. PALMERSrO,N N., April 14. There is nothing new in regard to Powelka. His last authentic appear-* ance was that at Buonytborpe in the small hours of Wednesday morning, when a constable fired two shots after him. Later on the same day he was supposed to have been seen still further north, near Makino. Since then absolutely nothing has been heard of him, though there have been the usual crop of reports of alleged appearances, The police are watching all over the district.