POWELKA STILL FREE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3308, 29 August 1911, Page 5

POWELKA STILL FREE.

THE SEARCHERS UNSUCCESSFUL. A SERIES OF RUMORS. IS HE MAKING FOR PALMERSTON? [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.! WELLINGTON. August 28. Uo to 11 o’clock to-night th© polio© wardens and detectives sea rolling for the escaped prisoner Powelka have discovered! no trace or clue.

All the roads and bridges are being closely watched. As ithe rivers are now fairly high, it is considered that Powelka -must cross the streams hy the bridges, if he is traversing the country at all.

Late tlo-night a report, which has not been investigated was received by the police that someone procured a. suit of clothes from a woman, at Johnsonville yesterday.

J.t is also- stated that a hors© is missing at Paekakariki.

These incidents;, if correct, sunnort the theory that the escapee will make for his old haunts in the Palmerston district. It is also said that a man borrowed a bicycle at Petone last night, giving a name which appears now to he false, and promising to return the bicycle by noon to-day, hut nothing' has since been seen of the man or the bicycle.

It will be observed that the latter storv does not lit in with the former so far as. Powelka is Concerned, but both reports have yet to be inquired into, by the police.

“PLEASANTRIES” FROM PALMERSTON. ILL-TIMED PRACTICAL JOKES. PALMERSTON N., August 28. The l Powelka matter has been the general subject of discussion to-day, but chiefly by practical jokers. The Mayor received _ a, request to place a large scroll., which he possesses, with the words “Welcome to Palmerston,” over the entrances to the town.. Others forwarded a telegram to “J. Powelka., care Police Department, Wellington,” asking him to kindly advise when lie might be expected, with a view to a municipal welcome. There is still a fceliv • that Powelka is likely to make for here, and all the approaches to the town are being watched, but it would be quite- easy ■lor him to come in by the river beds and ranges. On t’-e last occasion Pcwelka came up in a- goods truck.