The Irrepressible Henniker Heaton.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 451, 8 May 1890, Page 2

The Irrepressible Henniker Heaton.

At a banquet recently given in his honor Mr Henniker Heaton made the following amusing speech:—l am beyond measure gratified by the warmth of your reception, and the genuine goodwill you have manifested in following out the work I have set myself to do. My visit to China and India did much to open my eyes to the magnificent possessions England owns in the East, and I look forward to those possessions as a great source of individual and natural wealth. (Cheers ) In returning to Canterbury, I deeply regret to find that several of your valued and best citizens have passed away and gone to their long home. Now, gentlemen, I do not intend to make a political speech to night, but merely to give you a slight sketch of the compliments usually paid to an active Member of Parliament. Any man who enters public life must expect and be able to receive with equable temper, abuse and praise. you are aware, I have had the honor of beMfl accused of the whole catalogue of crimes pRM two. I have not yet been charged wiM® robbing a church or murdering my grandmother. (Cheers and laughter.) But I wish to read to you a few descriptions of my appearance and character, the accuracy of which will at once delight and amuse. I first take up a London correspondent’s letter In a New Zealand paper describing the notable men in the House of Commons, He says * Mr Henniker Heaton Is a fussy little fellow’—(much laughter and cheers)—and then be goes on to say that I am pursuing a wild scheme. (Renewed laughter.) I would have been depressed by this, but I take up a newspaper In another part of the world al an antidote, a Ceylon newspaper, which on th* contrary describes me “as a fine, tall, handsome man. ’’ (Loud cheers.) Again, a leading London society paper lowers my spirits by referring to mo as " a truculent high-oheek-boned fellow, always ready to fight’’—(loud laughter)—and another- paper says I am “ utterly ignorant of politics "—(much laughter)—but my spirits are raised again by taking up tho leading newspaper in Manchester, which rhapsodises thus:— " Mr Heaton is a tall dark gentleman, with a friendly eye and a voice of silvery sweetness.” (Cheers and laughter.) But the paper adds regretfully—l'He does his very best to make the life of the present Post-master-General unbear able." (Laughter, and hear, hs»t.) Well, gentlemen, this is satisfactory. But lam again depressed by the utterances of a newspaper at Darwin, which tells its readers that my questions to tbe Post* master-General are utterly stupid, and unnecessarily take up the time of the House of Commons. I was about to take that to heart, but the Bullionist—tbe leading financial paper—takes the opposite view. “In se, gard," it says, " to the questions asked of Ministers, there is a wide difference between the questions of tbe professed obstructionist and those of solid, practical bearing on commercial topics, like those asked by Mr Henniker Heaton regarding British postal anomalies. We trust he will persevere in his crusade until these absurdities, which really exert a most injurious effect on our commerce, are finally removed. All honor to Mr Henniker Heaton.” (Loud and continued cheers.) But I may fairly set off the following description from the Times of Oeyion against the most depreciating criticism:—“ Mr Heaton it of middle age, tall, and well made, with a slight tendency to stoutness *’ —(laughter)— ' (You see how impartially I am criticised), “ and a round face partly covered with a thick short beard. His memory is wonderful.” (Cheers.) I really blush to reproduce this praise, but I msrely do to to show you both sides. There is one great comfort to me. In fair and foul weather it has been a constant stimulus to me to feel that amongst my old friends here I was fully understood, —(loud cheers) —fairly judged, and heartily aupported, and that I could always depend on them as I have done during my past five years of service. (Loud applause.) I thank yoq from the bottom of my heart for your friendly and kindly welcome. (Cheers.)