THE QUEEN THREATENED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13650, 18 January 1908, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE QUEEN THREATENED.

ROYAL ALARM.

Nkvkr before have the officers of th# Special Service Department at. Scotland Yard' had so great a responsibility and so difficult a task an that imposed upon them by the recent visit of 'ro many RoyW, personages to England/' ft is also no*?too much to say that never before have th« whole of the officers of that section, and their colleagues of the Criminal Investigation Department, who were called upon to assist, executed, a difficult tack with • more tact and nnobtrusivencfs. ' A cample of what their difficulties hav« been is provided in the story of an unfortunate young Asiatic, named Hora«« Narik, an author, and the son of a bunker' in Smyrna, who has been removed to an asylum for writing threatening letters to Queen Alexandra. '' Other member's of the Royal family re«,, ceived similar letters front time to time. J but in their case the writing does not' appear to be lie same. Her Majesty was great troubled by these missives, and eftfieciuily some refer ence in them to the late Queen Victoria. The letters were at last Lauded to the Comptroller, and by him placed before theChief Commissioner of Police. • ' After somewhat prolonged consideration, it was decided that prosecution and publicity would probably disturb some of the Royal visitors, but it was also felt that ample safeguards must be provided against any recurrence of the offence. Mr. Narik's nearest relatives in England are two uncles, merchants in the city, who trade as 0. P. Narik and Co., at Kastclieap. Chief Detective-Inspector M< • Brian, having-been entrusted with the arrangements, first of all consulted with these two gentlemen, and, it is believed with their entire concurrence, decided that Mr. Horace Narik must bo placed -under control. • He was at that:time living in Linden Gardens. Bayawp.ter, where he was. th# near neighbour of Sir Robert. Anderson, the well-known ex-chief of the Criminal Investigation Department. To this address one evening, at an hour when it might be expected dinner would just. b* finished, there drove a horsed ambulance belonging to the local authorities, tome of whom had previously been consulted about the case. Mr. Narik was invited to accompany the party, and was once driven to the workhouse- belonging to the Kensington Board of Guardians, and placed in an observation ward. Here lie was wen by one of the justices, Mr. A. Robin yon, •1.P., who resides at 23, Earl's Terrace. Kensington; Dr. Percy Potter, medical superintendent of the local infirmary; and Dr. Meredith Townseml. of.Upper Phillimore Place, W., who signed certificate that he was of unsound mind. Later on lie was removed to' the London County Council asylum, at Horton. near Epsom, where it is understood (hat he will lie treated as a private patient, everything possible being done to restore him to complete health; Already there is eaid to be definite, improvement in his condition, and as he is only twenty-six years of age, and of cheerful disposition, it is believed his cure will be quick and decisive. It is somewhat difficult to understand the breakdown in Mr. Nnrik's mental health. He is .described as quiet, amiable, and fond of books, moderately fond of society, and an excessive cigarette smoker