THE LATE SIR JOHN HENNIKER HEATON.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 91, 12 September 1914, Page 4

THE LATE SIR JOHN HENNIKER HEATON.

Some 'yca-iiS ago an Englishman was looking after his business at ;i station far "up cronnh-y" in Xew Smith Wains He TC\s talking with his men when Ui mail arrived. Few of them received letters, and llio luclcy few read their news for the benefit of the rest, who toolc its keen an interest in the welfare of the old folk ut Home as if they were relations of their own. The incident made a deep impression on the Englishman's mind. A few year, later he went Home, and chawed to enter a village post oll'iee where a worn mi -was enquiring the postage to Australia. Mio could not afford the requisite Cd. and the KnglUhnian paid it for her. Ife learned subsequently from the ]giirtion of the parish tliat this outlay brought the old lady a remittance of £5 by return post, for mother and son bad at last be«n ■brought into communication. The. Englishman laid these things up in his heart, and determined to make it his i mission in life to cheapen the. means of communication between the old folk fit tome and their kith, aud kin beyond

the scats. The hero of this pathetic talc was Jiolm llenniker lleaton-, who had gone to seek his fortune in uvcnv .South Wales, mid, wlio married | Ik> only daughter of the late Air. .Samuel Pennt'tt, of iSydne). Jle rixurned to Europe and got himsell ejected in lSSii as Conservative .M.l'. for Canterbury. Hut his real constituency was a larger one. He was the nieuibcr JiH 1 .postal reform, the Maitin Luther :i.£ 'the post oll'ice, and his .assiduity has extorted from' successive. Postmasters innumerable reforms, inelii'.jing llie .Fmiperial penny postage scnoine, and lie carried in IWK3 the introduction of telegraphic money orders, parcel post to France, and any number of other boons, ilis pubic ecr- . vices w-ere recognised by conferring the I freedom of the City of London 'upon him. He was a native if Rochester, was educated at King's College, and was bom in IS4B. .Mr. Henniker Hcaton did not contest his old scat at the. last election (i nlilll;, for which he had been re-elected unopposed on four successive occasions. He was made a baronet in January, 1912.