SCANDAL IN CHRISTCHURCH.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 10864, 14 January 1901, Page 5

SCANDAL IN CHRISTCHURCH.

DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS. RESIGNATION OF MR JUSTICE MARTIN. On Friday the people of Christchttrch generally, and Fendalton in particular, received a violent shock when a rumour gained circulation'tliat a gentleman holding a high judicial appointment, to which he had recently been permanently appointed, had entered into relations with a married ludy r which afforded grounds for an action 101 divorce. It was a man in the street- kind of rumour, the truth of which was at first indignantly denied by the many friend- of tho gentleman in question. However, unfortunately, it turned out to be too true, and the information obtained on Saturday seems to point to the gravest scandal in conmjetion with the Supreme Court Bench winch has . ever occurred in New Zealand. The parties implicated are Mr Justice Martin, who was recently appointed * _u_ permanent Judge of the Supreme Court, and Mrs Simms, wiftj of Mr W. H. Simms, in business here as Simms and Sons, and for some time Uermao consular agent in Christchurch. Mr aud Airs Simms resided in Fondalton, near to the l-0'.u.0 occupied by Mr Martin's father and mother, and during his visits to Canterbury on business connected with his judicial duties, Mr Martin stayed with his iatner and mother. An acquaintance had Daen formed between himself and Mrs Simms, which had existed some timo prior to Mr Martin's removal to Wellington. Ou the occasion of his visits to Canterbury, more particularly during the period that he ' was discharging tho duties of Air Justice Denniston, Mr Martin and Mrs Simms were i frequently together, taking walks through tilts Park, going excursions to the Port Hills, etc. Sonfo little gossip arose out of this, and it is stated that Mv Simms remonstrated with his wife on the imprudence * of this conduct, tho more so as ifc wa-_ causing a considerable amount of talk in the neighbourhood, and amongst the circle of their friends. Mrs Simms, however, persistently stated that- there was nothing but friendship between Mr Martin and herself, aud continued to go out with him as before. This, it is alleged, created some dissension between Mr and Airs Simms, and strained relations ensued. Ultimately Airs Simms proposed, and the proposal was concurred in by Mr Simms, that tne lady should pay a visit to her mother in Australia. Arrangements were accordingly made, and Mrs fc-imms left for Australia to stay for some little time with her friends there. No suspicion was entertained that anything was \ wrong at all. Subsequently Mr"' Alartin also went over to Australia, in order, as it was supposed, to - attend the Commonwealth Celebrations, ' but, in reality, it would appear, to join Mrs Simms. Tlie revelation, which camt with startling effect upon the parties her. , more concerned, was contained in letters addressed by Mrs Simmi to her husband, and by Air Mnrtin to hia solicitor, Air H. Cotterill, which left no , doubt as to the relations existing between the parties. The letter written to Air Simms stated that Mr Martin and herself were living as man and wife, and intended to continue to do so, and that she did not intend to return to her husband and family. The letter of Air Alartin to Mr Cotterill, > it is stated, contained th"* sum a information as that given by Airs Simms to her hus-', band, viz., that they were living as man and wife, and that he had no intention of returning to New Zealand. He alßo stated . that if Air Simms took any steps to pro- ■. cure a divorce there, would be no defence made, and no appearance entered either byl Airs Simms or himself.

The astonishment with which these letters were received by those to whom they were addressed may well bo imagine-. . Though rumour had' been busy with the . names of the two persons most concerned, nob the slightest idea existed that such a* sensational denouement would take place as that which has happened. - J Air Simms, ifc may be noted, has two children, the eldest of which is about eleven - years of age. The first feeling on the rumour gaining ground wa.«, as already been said, ons of disbelief that Air Alar tin was the per-, son implicated. Indeed, so far as can be learnt, the report was treated as a canard. When, however, confirmation came of it, re. grefc was univercally expressed at the abitipfc and ignominious conclusion of a career which had so much promise in it. This wan the more Intensified becttuse Mi Martin was a Canterbury* boy, and one wlio had been identified with numerous matters connected with Clirif_tchm-v.li for so many years. His excellent career in connection with Volunteering had made him a wide circle of friends, who watched his work in his new sphere as a. member of the Judicial Bench of the colony with the greatest interest.

It is understood that instructions have been given by Air Simms to his solicit*--* to at once institute proceedings for a dlrorce, and the requisite steps wiil at once be taken.

Ifc is not known what proceedings will bo taken by Mm Alavtin. or whether she will also institute procceclins.-. Whether this is. done or not, neither Air Alartin nor Airs Simms intends, so far as can be gathered from their correspondence, to offer any defence. The petition to be filed by Air Simnis will therefore bo heard without any opposition. Mr Alartin, ifc may be added, entered the firm of Duncan. Cotterill and Alartin some years ago, and became Crown Prosecutor, succeeding the late Air Thonms Smith Duni.vui on his death. Subsequently he accepted rliu Resident ' Alagiatracy of W_Hin__ton, and war afterwards appointed Public Trustee. He paid a visit to England, and on returning was offered and accepted a temporary appointment as judge r>f the Supreme Court, and for some timo filled the position of judge of the Arbitration Court in place- of Air Justice Edwards. He look up the work of th_» Canterbury circuit durinct the absence'of Air Justice Denniston in England, and discharged the duties up to the Christmas vacation. Ho then Went on his trip to Australia. On January- 4th he resigned his appointment a-.*, judge, but ifc was supposed at ths time that h". was merely resigning the Acting-Judgcship prior to" taking up the permanent appointment. Tlie great interest which Air Martin al. ways took in all forms of athletic sport il well-known, and even vPiien holding his official positions he continued to identify himself with it more or less. Ha was one of the founders of the Wellington Physical Training School, of which he is the President, and when in Wellington was not an infrequent visitor to the "gym." He was very popular with the members there, and the present news has come to the representatives of that institution now competing in Christchurch—as ifc has corns to most people—as a considerable shock. Mr Alartin, who is about forty-six yea****" of age, is married, and has ono daughter. (PESSS ASSOCIATION TELKGRAMS.) WELLINGTON, January 13. Air Martin's resignation as Judge" of tha Supreme Court of New Zeal-tnd waa received by tho Government on January 4th. (from OCR own CORRESPONTJKNT.. WELLINGTON, January 13. Some time ago the Government received the resignation of Air Justice Alartin as a Judge of the. Supreme Court of New- Zealand. A member of tha Alinistry, who was seen on the subject, did not think there was anything unusual in it, because Air Justice Martin L*t< been appointed- in the capacity of an 'Acting-Judge, and was about to receive a permanent appointment. The Alinister in question thought that this was simply a formal resignation, preliminary to the appointment of Air Alartin as a permanent Judge of th~ Supreme Court. It appears, however, that Air Martin meant otherwise. It was his final leave-taking of the New Zealand Bench. It would be noted, that though ho went over in tlie Mokoia. with the Premier, M* Justice Edwards, and others, to the Commonwealth Celebrations, Air Justice Martin's name was never mentioned in connection with his attend-tnee at any of __c official functions there, a fact ■which, in itself, caused some surprise.