Traralgon Record (Traralgon, Vic. : 1886 – 1932), Tuesday 12 June 1894, page 3
On Friday evening there was a most representative gathering of the district at Kelleher’s Club Hotel, Morwell, when a large number of the friends of Mr E. W. Boake, late manager of the Morwell branch of the Bank of Australasia, met to bid him farewell on the eve of his departure to take charge of…
Cr. D. Macmillan occupied the chair, and after the loyal toasts had been honored, said that he was pleased to see such a large and representative gathering brought together to do honor to their old friend Mr Boake, who all knew was about to take his departure for New South Wales. Mr Boake had been tried and proved to be a good friend to many, so his loss would be serious; in fact, at the present time the district could ill-afford to lose such men as their guest. Mr Boake had expressed a wish that no gathering of the kind as arranged that evening should be got up, but he (the speaker), thought that if he had been allowed to leave without some acknowledgment, it would be an act of ill-grace on the part of the people of the district. It was not generally known, however, that the entertainment that evening, would take place, otherwise he did not think that there would be a room sufficiently large in Morwell to hold those who would have, desired to attend.
It was now nine years since Mr Boake came amongst them, and by his kindly nature he had won the good will of all, and now that he was leaving, many of the people of the district would not only lose a true friend, but also is good adviser, for when anyone asked his advice it was always freely given, and if acted upon, was invariably found to be good. In parting with Mr Boake he (the speaker) was pleased for one thing, and that was, that the change meant substantial promotion, which proved that the bank had every confidence in Mr Boake, who, he felt sure, would rapidly rise to the top position in his profession, which he would be well able to fill.
In public life Mr. Boake had proved himself to be most valuable; he always took a deep interest in the Agricultural society, was an active member of the cricket club, and would be much missed in the field, where he had more than once been the cause of the club gaining a brilliant victory; he would also be sadly missed from the tennis court, as he was a most proficient player. However, he felt certain that Mr. Boake had a great future before him, and most present that evening would live to see him holding a high position in the noble institution to which he belonged. This in spite of the panic in banking circles had held its own ground, and Mr. Boake should feel great pride in being a member of the staff of the Bank of Australasia. In conclusion he must wish their guest long life and prosperity in the town to which he was going, and could assure him at the same time that he left the Morwell district with the heartiest good wishes of all members of the community.
In response, Mr. Boake said that he could hardly find adequate language to reply to the chairman, and did not feel that he deserved half the good things that had been said about him. It was by no means a pleasant duty to say goodbye to so many kind friends, all of whom had treated him with the utmost kindness and courtesy during his stay amongst them. As to what Mr. Macmillan had said of his doings in the cricket field and on the tennis court, that had only afforded him pleasure, for he had spent, many pleasant hours while engaged in either game. It was a most graceful act on their part that they had met together that evening in order to wish him farewell, and for this he was unable to, find words sufficient to thank them, not having, kissed the “Blarney-stone.” Though he was going a long way off, during his holidays he would return to see all his Morwell friends whom he hoped would soon rise to prosperity with their town.
One thing that should make Morwell come to the fore was the brown coal industry, and this he felt sure would become a big thing in the near future when the residents would show the Germans and Yankees what they could do with reference to turning their immense deposits of brown coal in to a marketable fuel. In conclusion he hoped that when he was far away in New South Wales he would hear that Morwell had gone ahead and while again thanking them he would propose the toast of the patrons of outdoor sports of the district, coupled with the name of W. C. Smythe.
Mr. Smythe, in responding, said all would agree that Mr. Boake was the finest and most genuine sportsman they had ever had in the district, and, his loss would be most severely felt in the cricket field. In many other ways he would be a great loss to the district, for no man was more respected by everyone than he.
In proposing the toast of the Morwell Shire Council, Mr. J. English said, as all knew, they were not altogether a happy family in the past, and some had complained that justice had not been done; but even if this had been the case, they had been well criticised. They were now, however, settling down to business, and if they continued on steadily he did not think that the ratepayers would have any cause for regret. There had been differences at the council table, but these he thought were now buried and forgotten, and the experience gained in the past would be most valuable. He trusted that affairs would continue to go on as they were at present, and had much pleasure in proposing the toast, coupled with the name of the president, Cr. Murdach.
Cr. Murdoch said it pleased him very much to hear that an ex-councillor had so many good things to say about the council and he could also assure Mr. English that anything which happened at the council table was forgotten by him when he left it. They had made mistakes, but only such as any business man might do, and in the future he could only assure them that they would do everything in their power for the benefit of the ratepayers.
Cr. Mulcare also said he must thank them all for the enthusiastic manner in which they had received the toast, and could assure them that the councillors did not have a pleasant time with their loan, and the proposal to strike a special rate had for a time made things exceedingly lively.
Cr. Macmillian said when he took his seat he went in determined to do the best he could in the interests of the ratepayers. He went in for retrenchment from the first and hoped that soon they would be able to steer the ship into safe waters for their present troubles could not exist for ever.
Cr. Mulcare proposed the toast of the “Trade of Morwell.” The town he said for its size and population would compare favourably with any other, although it had suffered severely through the depression, they had touched bottom and would soon return to prosperity.
Mr. D. Donaldson, who responded, said that if it was not for the outside population, Morwell would not be half the town it was, but with the aid of the land owners they had been able to hold their own, and when such industries as the manufacture of briquettes, sugar-beet industry, and the trade in butter had been more fully developed, he thought that everyone connected with the district would soon find themselves in a very sound position.
The chairman proposed the health of the visitors, and was pleased to see so many from Traralgon present. This friendly feeling had not existed in the past, but he hoped all jealousy was now buried. Mr. Coates said, on behalf of those who had come down from Traralgon, he must sincerely thank them all for the manner in which they had honoured the toast.
Had more people known that they were to meet their old friend Mr. Boake for the last time, a much greater number would have come down. He had known Mr. Boake for the past eight or nine years and any business transactions he had had with that gentleman were always carried out with the utmost secrecy, and he had also found him a most kind friend. Mr. Keys, Mr. McCleery and Mr. R. Miller also suitably responded.
Mr. Edney proposed the toast of the “Agricultural Interests,” which he said was the most important one in the colony and one upon which every trade to some extent depended. They had some land around Morwell equal to any in other parts of the colony, and it was of vital importance to all that this great industry should be fostered.
Mr. Marshall, in responding, said that when the agriculturist was prospering he was in a position to employ more labour, and thus add to the prosperity of his district. With regard to his residence in Morwell he had been in the district for 17 years, and first lived in a bark hut; the land in the district was good, and he never regretted coming to this part of the colony.
Mr. J. Rintoull also responded to this toast, and regretted that the funds of the Agricultural Society was not in the flourishing condition they should be, for he said that the annual shows did much to foster the agricultural interests, and also educate those engaged in cultivating the land.
Mr. Rhodes proposed the Banking Interests, to which Messrs McIntosh and Ahearin responded; and Messrs Macmilan, sen. and Mr. Theobald responded to the toast of the “Old Pioneers.” The other toasts were the health of the new manager of the bank, Mr. Ahearin, “The Ladies,” the health of the “Chairman and vice chairman, the Host and Hostess and the Press.”
During the evening several of the gentlemen present contributed songs which considerably enlivened the proceedings, and altogether a most pleasant couple of hours were spent. Mr Boake left by the last train on Saturday evening, when a large number of friends gathered on the station to see him off.