The Henson Journals

[61]

Thursday, October 30th, 1924.

The first election returns are encouraging. There now seems to be a fair prospect of a sufficient Conservative majority. It is, perhaps, unfortunate, and it is certainly regrettable, that Asquith should have lost his seat. This can hardly mean anything else than his disappearance from political life, in which he has played so conspicuous a part during many years.

I received a draft for £700 from the Eccles: Commissioners on account of the mortgage (£800) for the electric light installation, and paid it forthwith into my bank.

I motored to Durham, and presided at a meeting of the Lay Helpers Association. Then I went to the Castle, and had interviews with two young men who aspire to become clergymen, and seek help from the Ordination candidates Fund, Emery Lonsdale Richardson, and John Mabey Carr, both from S. Gabriel's, Sunderland. When they had gone off, Booth arrived, & I talked with him about the chaplaincy at Auckland. He is evidently reluctant, and I gave him a week to decide. I brought Booth back with me to the Castle.

The later reports of the polling disclose a "landslide". There will be in the new house a Conservative majority of more than 140. The Liberal party has been almost annihilated: it will not muster 50 votes.

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