Page 4 Advertisements Column 1

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8928, 17 December 1887, Page 4 (Supplement)

Mrs. Mackay, the wife of the wall-known "Silver King," lately turned the tables very well on a would-be blackmailer named Hertz. The lady received a letter from him some days ago, in which to stated that he was firmly convinced as to the death by foul means of a porter and a governess who had been, like himsielf, in her employment. He not only intended to have the bodies of the deceased persona exhumed by the authorities, bat he was &100 ready to divulgo a certain family secret concerning " Mistress " Mackay unless hußh-moaey were forthcoming. Hertz asked for the modest sum of £480 for his silence. " Mistress " Mackay sent the letter to the Prefecture of police, and Hertz was arrested. He is a German, and had acted as butler to Mrs. Mackay in Paris. When brought before the.correctional chamber he admitted his guilt, and pleaded extreme poverty. He was sentenced to two years' imprisonment. A medallion in memory of the late Charles Reade was recently unveiled in the crypt of Sc. Haul's Cathedral by Sir Algernon Borthwick, M.P., in the presence of Mr. Arthur Reade and a few friends of the late novelist. The medallion, which is the result of private subscription, has been carved in white mar« ble by Mr. G. M. Curtice, and bears the following inscription :—"To the memory of Charles Reade, D.C.L, Born JaneS, 1814. Died April IX, 1881. Author, dramatist, 1 iournaliat,"