The Great Fire in Melbourne

Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 49, 12 October 1889, Page 3

The Great Fire in Melbourne

It is believed that the origin of the great fire at George and George's, in Melbourne, has now been discovered. Amongst the employes of the firm was a clerk named Watkins, who was performing the duties of bookkeeper. In «pite of the fact that he was a married man with a young family, it would appear that hi« life was n t as circumspect as it should have been; aud not many months since his attentions to a barmaid in a city hotel became so marked that his wife, hearing of the entanglement, was induced, as a last resource, to seek the protection of his employers. As a consequence of her representations to Messrs George and George, Watkinc was informed that he must either re sign his situation or at once relinquish liis platonic attachment. He promised naturally enough, to adopt the latter course, and: as almost immediately afterwards the young lady obtained a situation in Ballaiat, the more credence was attached to his protestations of reform. It would seem, however, that Watkins still kept up a clandestine correspondence with the object of iiis affections, and curiously enough it was chiefly owing to this fact that his share in the destruction of the Pederai Emporium was discoveiel. On the night of the fire he had prepared a letter and parcel for the young lady, and on going out re tnembered that he had forgotten to stamp the letter. He used a match to relight the gas, and threw it away -without noticing where it went, and it is believed that this caused the fire. He has made varying statements, however, and is sure to be put unler severe cross-examination at the in quest. — Dunedin Star.