Page:The life and letters of Sir John Henniker Heaton bt. (IA lifelettersofsi00port).pdf/67



O call Canterbury a Conservative stronghold is to do it no more than justice. Whether or not, after every General Election, Kent can claim the title of "Solid Kent," it will invariably be found that Canterbury has done its part in returning a Tory representative to Westminster. The preponderance of Toryism in the borough was best illustrated in 1910 when, with an equally split Conservative vote, the Liberal candidate was in a minority of 500.

H. H. was justly proud of his long connection with Canterbury. The presentation of the Freedom of the City in 1899 was an honour he deeply appreciated. The beautiful Casket containing the document was made from Cathedral Oak, ornamented with emblems of the various countries which had joined in Imperial Penny Postage. The presentation was made by the Mayor, Sir George Collard, and the Archbishop of Canterbury (Archbishop Temple) gave the congratulatory address. On September 17th, 1904, Mr Joseph Chamberlain wrote to H. H. as follows:

I have heard with great pleasure that you have again been requested by the Unionist Committee to