GREAT FIRE IN AUCKLAND.

North Otago Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 9779, 14 January 1901, Page 3

GREAT FIRE IN AUCKLAND.

B? TELEGRAPH. acoku:,'d, January 13. A fire occurred h ;ustoms street this morning, causing tlio total destruction of several warehouses. The total damage is estimated at about LIOO,QQO. The fire started in Bond and Bell's warehouse, and spread to Owen and Oo.'s and L. D. Nathan's bonded score, all three being completely destroyeil, with their contsn's as well, abo Wheeler's business in Nathan's buildings and Tucker's bakhg powder factory in Owen's buildings, Nyhan's wero insured for L 31,000 in the Norwich Union, and they estimate their loss at 120,000 above that amount. Owen and Co,' insurance was L 2700, and Wheeler's LIOOO, The other insurances are not ascertainable to-day, 'J he firemen were quickly at work after the outbreak, but were unable to suppress the flames, There was some trouble with the water through the bursting of the main, and salt water had to be used, the accident causing considerable delay, A woman and a boy were injured by a falling telegraph post, the latter seriously.

THE dHRISTCHUEOH SCANDAL.

BY TELEGRAPH. Chkibtobotoh, January 12, The rumor mentioned by the Lyttelton Times has been causing great excitement in town, and It is common talk now, The persons implicated are Justice Martin and Mrs Simms, wife of a Christchurch merchant, A few weaks ago Mr Martin left for Australia, ostensibly to be present at the celebrations connected with the Australian Commonwealth. Mr 3 Siios left Christchurch a few weeks previously on a visit to her mother in Brisbane, but from what can be gathered, Judge Martin, by previous ' arrangement, went to Sydney, where the pair are now living as man and wife, Mr and Mrs Simms had had some unpleasantness on account of the attentions of the Judge to the latter, and although she denied that there was anything wrong between them it was agreed she should visit her mother for a time, and sua accordingly left for Australia. Although all sorts of rumors have been circulating, the facts, so far as can be gathered, appear to be that Mrs, Sinras • Wx'ote to her husband, making certain confessions as to her relations witi Judge Martin, . stating that they were living as man and wife in Sydney, and she had no intention of returning to him. Judge Martin wrote to his solicitors in Christchurch, also admitting the fact, and naturally announced his intention of not coming back to the colony. Although no official information is to hand on the point, it is stated Judge Martin has resigned his position on' the judicial bench, It matters little whether he ha? taken that course or not as his removal would neces: jjariry follow the grave scandal. Mrs' Slmmswas adaughterof Mrs Marshall, of Brisbane, and was'a great favorite in the Fendaltqn district, where she Jived, She was also a leading- member of tho Fondalton Dramatic Club. Mr and Mrs Simms have two children. Mr Martin's wife is a daughter of the lateMrSaunderson, of Greta Peaks Station, and there U a grown up daughter shortly to be married, Mr Martin during the time he has been relieving Mr Justice Edwards in Christchurch has been living with his mother at Fendalton, next door . to Mrs Simms, It is stated that during thewhole'timehehad ken very attentive toMrsSimins/frequently took her long'excursions, to which, however, her husband' objeotedr-. bnt was" always assured that these trips .were* attended' piftttotopMprietyi'-'WiiQwj'c'fee^

a most painful sensation in Christchiirch, I were both parties are well known, and a great many people absolutely declined to believe that.a man.of Judge Martin's abilities, who had risen to the height of his ambition,, could possibly have committed such'a folly.. It is understood that proceedings for. a divorce will at once be instituted by the husband, and that they;; win not be opposed. Mr Martin was bom and educated in Christchurch, : On leaving school he joined the Arm of Messrs Duncan, solicitors, and •ultimately became a partner. About nine ycars'ago he wa3 appointed stipendiary magistrate: in Wellington,-' a position which ho forsook,a few years later to take office as Public Trustee, When Mr Justice.Denniston was granted leave of absonc'e early last year in order to pro ceed to England, Mr Martin was giveir a temporary seat ou the Bench, and it was only last month that the appointment was made permanent. ■ Wellington, January 12. Justice ': artin's resignation as a judge of the Supreme Court of New Zealand was received by tho Government.on January 4th.

I LORD KITCHENER'S PLAN. Writing on November 26, a Pietermaritzhurg correspondent says: • I understand that i ord Kitchener's sweeping movement now being organised will be niott thorough. The new colonies will bo divided iuto circumscribed areas, a mobile force will be apportioned to each, and the iafautoy will be kept to the lines of commuuication. Ox waggons will be disponsed with, 1 and light Cape carts employed to carry ammunition. All Boei'3 captured, and all neutrals, will be sent to the coast and kept thero rttatilJhe refugees are back, and the country cleared. • This is likely to occupy some time, especially in the Northern Jransvaal, which, in the opinion 'of competent authorities, will not ha cleared of armed Boers for months, or perhaps years. Of the irregular corps, the recruiting for which is very satisfactory, one corps, the Natal Squadron, and Lord Fioberts' bodyguard are already nlled,

( The military are practically monopolising the railway, and there is a great outcry among merchants, who are not able to get goods forward, and are wishing more heartily than ever that the Eoer resistance would end, At the request of General Hildyard the Newcastle Town Guard has been revived,