South Western Advertiser (Perth WA: 1910-1954) Friday 11 December 1914, Page 3

A pleasant function took place at the Railway Refreshment Rooms on Friday evening last, Dec. 4th, the occasion being a Social given in honour of Mr. Charles Beasley

Williams, who is retiring from the railway service. There were about 20 railway employees present when Mr. J. Howieson took the chair and opened the proceedings by proposing a toast to the King. Apologies were received from Messrs. Rowe, Tagney, Prosser and others. Musical items were rendered during the evening by Messrs G. Owens, Chas. Hastie, – Wade G. Henderson and Guard Mclnnes, the last named, – who only arrived late in the evening soon took charge of the floor and made things go with a swing, each item being loudly applauded. Mr. Brown, N. S. M. gave a recitation, and Mr. Wilkins accompanied the vocal items on the violin.

Mr Howieson, in proposing a toast to the guest, said he would like to say a few words about Mr. Williams. He had known him for 15 years and had always found him a man, both in his private and public life, and there was no doubt he would be greatly missed. No matter where or how you came in contact with him you never found him out of temper and anything he was asked to do he would always do it willingly. If there was more of Mr. Williams’s stamp in the service there would be little to complain of. One heard a lot of talk against the Railway Department and about the men and their work, but he (the speaker) thought they earned all they got, personally he thought he earned twice as much as he got. Mr Williams was leaving to take up duties on his farm at Coolup and he hoped he would be spared to work as long for him himself as had done for the railway Department.

Mr. J. Cassidy in seconding the toast said he had worked with Mr. Williams as a mate for l3 years, and during that time they had never had a cross word, and that was saying a great deal when two people were working together. He wished both Mr. and Mrs. Williams long life and success. Mr. C. Hastie on behalf of the loco. employees and Mr. F. Beacham on behalf of the residents of Pinjarra, also made a few eulogistic remarks on the character of Mr. Williams, and both wished him and his wife every success in their new life.

During the course of the evening the Chairman said he had been to make a presentation on behalf of the railway employees and the people of Pinjarra. The presents were a gold Union medal which had been added to by an elaborate scroll and suitably inscribed, to Mr Williams, and a handsome gold brooch, set with rubies and pearls to Mrs Williams. In asking Mr. Williams to accept these little tokens of esteem he hoped that when looking at them he would remember the good times he had had in Pinjarra and the time he had spent in the Railway Department.

My Williams in response said he thanked them all for the nice remarks they had made in reference to himself, and he thanked them himself, and on behalf of Mrs. Williams for the very nice presents that had been presented to them that evening. He would take the opportunity of saying that during the 18 years he had been in Pinjara he had always received the utmost respect and kindness from his fellow workmates and others. He had been in the service for 28 years and it was a struggle to him to send in his resignation but, as he was getting a little on the shady side he thought it only proper that he would take the easy chair at home and give his younger fellows a chance. His sympathy would always be with them on the railways. He again thanked them for all their kindness that evening and wished them all success in the future. The proceedings concluded about 11pm by signing “Auld Lang Syne” and “God save the King”.