SIR R. HEATON RHODES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19320, 6 May 1926, Page 10

SIR R. HEATON RHODES.

SERVICES TO ELECTORATE. WARM TRIBUTES PATD. PRIME MINISTER'S PRAISE. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] OHKISTCHURCH. Wednesday. A dinner in honour of Sir Heaton Rhodes and Lady Rhodes was giv&n by tho electors of E lies mere at Leoston. In proposing the toast of " mr gussts," the chairman, Mr. John Cunningham, said Sir Heaton and Lady Rhodes were well worthy of all honour that could be dono to them. Anything that his constituents could do in this respect was a labour of love. Ha wished to th&nk their guests for all they had done for the electors. Sir Heaton quickly climbed the Parliamentary ladder and it was a matter of gratitude to his constituents when ho was elevated to Cabinet Rank. Ho had never had " a walk over," in his election fights, but as a matter of fact his constituents had. never been really afraid of losing him. Mr. Cunningham also paid a tribute to the services rendered to the electorate by Lady Rhodes. On rising to respond Sir Heaton Rhodes was greeted with cheers. ■ He said he was proud althoug embarrassed at the honour done him and Lady Rhodes. It was a break for him to retire from the position of representative of tho electorate. He was grateful for the gift of a casket made to him, in the afternoon. He would keep the scroll in it always and would like also to deposit in it the original petition asking him to stard for Parliament. He had not thought of attaining Cabinet rank, but he hoped that since he bad been called to such office by tho late Mr. Massey he bad done his best for his country. Sir Heaton said he would have been content to serve Ellesmere as member, but his medical adviser would not hear of it. However, he had been allowed to serve in the Cabinet with the lat Mr. Massey and now Mr. Coates. who was a young New Zealander with great faith in the Dominion, as Sir Heaton had himself, had given him a chance of continuing in the Cabinet, which service he would be pleased to take up. Sir Heaton expressed thanks for the kindly references that had been made to Lady Rhodes, who had been of the greatest assistance to him. Although • retiring from the House of Representatives as member for Ellesmere had meant a break to him it would mean no break in the friendships he had formed during that time. .

Mr. Coates received an ovation. He said the fact was brought back to many thiit Sir Heaton was unable to take such an active part as hitherto, but he still took his usual Cabinet seat when in Wellington. Sir Heaton had played an important part in New Zealand. He was a fine gentleman, and after all what finer specimen of humanity could be found than an English gentleman ? This' had a remarkable influence on our people., and they valued him as -a comrade and admired him as a man.