There was a large assemblage at Blunt's Post Office Hotel, Gulgong, on Monday evening, when the leading townsmen and residents of the district gathered together at the invitation of Mr. Richard White to partake of a social glass on the eve of the departure of himself and family on a trip to Europe and America. It was not a gathering to wish "Good-bye," but rather an "Au revoir," for we are glad to be able to say that Gulgong's popular townsman hopes to be back among us before the end of the current year. There has been no more prominent man in Gulgong than Mr. White. As the landlord of the Post Office Hotel he has long been a familiar figure, and "Dick's" was the general rendezvous of the country people, who always found a home there. In all public movements Mr. White has taken a very prominent part. He has been on every committee formed for the advancement of the town and district, and his unswerving integrity and keen business instinct, caused his services to be widely sought, and their value to be widely recognised by those who wished assistance to further any public movement. As an alderman, Mr. White admittedly brought to the Council a calm and practical judgement of the greatest benefit to the ratepayers. The Building Society also owes much of its success to his enthusiasm, and the hospital has always found him a most able and liberal supporter. Such a man would be missed from any community, and the more will he be missed from the comparatively small community of Gulgong. But Mr. White's good qualities have not been confined within the narrow limits of any particular town. He has always been a most welcome visitor to Mudgee, and has been a liberal and thorough sportsman. The regret at his departure will be very general, and the "Guardian" cordially echoes the popular wish that he will return, together with his family, to the district in which he has well earned much material success, and has moreover earned the esteem and goodwill of everyone whose esteem and goodwill is worth having.
When the company assembled in the dining room of the Post Office Hotel on Monday night Mr. White took the head of the table, with Mr. S. T. Bishop, J.P., on his left and Alderman Heard and Dr. McCreadie on his right. Among the company there were noticed Messrs. C. Harris, J.P., H. D. Voss (manager N.S.W. Bank), W. P. Lambert (hon. sec. Gulgong Hospital), J. Fletcher, J. Whitty, J. Snelson, F. W. Russell, Sergeant Steele, W. Thompson, L. G. Rouse, J. Powell, E. Brown, F. Egan, E. Hinchey, G. Tomkins, D. Cooney, J. Barlow, J. M. Appleyard, S. Curran, F. Maybury, G. Marsh, R. Elliot, Alf Cross, J. Curran, T. Saunders and others.
Mr. White, after briefly welcoming his guests, said that he had a toast to propose, and that was prosperity to Gulgong. He himself was leaving Gulgong for a time, but according to his present arrangements he intended to be back by the end of the year. As they all knew, his business interests were centred in Gulgong, and he hoped that by the end of his trip he would have health and strength to bring him back to the town, to which he would ask them to drink prosperity.
The toast having been duly honored, Mr. H. D. Voss was called upon to reply. He said that he had been a resident of Gulgong for 16 years, and he had lived longer in the town than he had ever lived in any other place. His interests were very largely identified with Gulgong, and he would always like to see the
town progress.
Mr. S. T. Bishop said it was his privilege and honor to propose the toast of the evening, and he would ask them to drink the health of the host and hostess. Mr. White was one of the speaker's oldest friends. They had been mates together on Lambing Flat, now known as Young, 35 or 36 years ago. They were also on Gundagai together, and as everyone round the table know they had both been for many years in Gulgong. Throughout these years he had always found Mr. White honest to the core. He was "White" by name and "White" by nature. Like most men their host had had his ups and downs but he was glad to see him able to take a trip to the old country. As a business man and as a citizen Mr. White had earned great esteem. He had done excellent work as an alderman, and he ranked amongst the foremost and most liberal friends the hospital had. The company would remember that on the occasion of the last Hospital Sunday a special fund of £20 was raised largely by Mr. Whites exertions. Mrs. White was a really good woman, and those who were unfortunate had always found a true friend in her. She had liberally helped in all good movements, and her virtues were widely known. They were all glad to hear Mr. White say that he and his wife would not be long away, and he trusted that after their short absence they would return in health and strength, and he could assure them that they would be greeted with the same cordiality that the company that night gave evidence of. The toast was drunk with great enthusiasm and musical honors, the chorus being led by Mr. Lambert. Mr. White, on rising to respond, was received with hearty applause. He said he warmly thanked them for the toast they had just honored,
and was glad that Mrs. White's name had been included, for any success in business which he had attained was as much hers as his.
Mr. F. W. Russell, when called upon for a song said that he felt it would be unkind of him if he did not take some part in the gathering. He had known Mr. White for a quarter of a century, and esteemed him as a man and as a citizen. He sincerely hoped that Mr. and Mrs. White would return safely and they could be sure of a hearty welcome. Mr. J. Appleyard said he had known Mr. White as a true friend of the workers for 20 years. He (the speaker) was proud to be there that night, to do honor to one of their race, who having toiled hard was enabled as a result to take a tour round the world, and hoped that when he returned he would long be able to use his vigorous efforts for the good of others. Mr. White had always taken a very independent stand and some of his actions in public matters, had of course being questioned, but he was always ready to extend the olive branch, and everyone in Gulgong would wish him a good and happy voyage, and might he return renewed in body and mind so that he could use his energies to his life's end.
Mr. Robert Elliott said he would like to say a few words, and hoped that their host and hostess would have a safe journey home and a safe journey back again. He was glad to be there that night to do honor to their townsman, and wished Mr. and Mrs. White every success and a safe journey.
Mr. R. Heard and Mr. J. Snelson also briefly referred to the esteem in which Mr. White was held, and while expressing regret at his departure were glad to hear he would soon be among them again.
After several songs had been sung, and one or two interesting anecdotal speeches made, Mr. A. P. Lambert said he had one toast to propose which he was sure would be favourably received, and he would ask them to drink to "The Ladies" coupled with the name of Mrs. White and Miss Katie.
(Applause.) The toast was always a popular one, and the name of the young lady mentioned would on that occasion make it more popular. The toast was very enthusiastically honored.
Mr. L. G. Rouse in rising to respond said that he did so with more than ordinary pleasure, because of the association of Miss Katie's name with the toast. They knew her to be a truly good and grateful girl, and he hoped, and was sure they all hoped, that she would enjoy her trip, and return to them much benefitted in every way. Mrs. White they all esteemed and honored, and knew her to have been a friend to many. He would like also to say a few words about Mr. White. He had now known him three years, and he felt that they were losing a citizen they could ill afford to part with. However, he hoped that Mr. White would soon return to live among them for many years either as a business man or in private life. Mr. White was a really genuine fellow, who pandered to no man, and who in public life always took a strong and pronounced stand. His actions had always been actuated by the best motives and by honest convictions, and he was always ready to let by-gones be by-gones. To his (the speaker's) knowledge their host had assisted many a man, and it was well-known that he had given most valuable assistance to the public institutions. His good offices had not been restricted by party or creed, and it was only expressing the popular feeling when he wished Mr. and Mrs. White and Miss Katie a pleasant journey, and he hoped that all the company there that night would be gathered together to welcome them back to Gulgong when they returned at the end of the year. Mr. F. W. Russell said that he would like to refer to the unavoidable absence of Mr. Stear, who was one of the good old friends of the host and hostess.
Mr. Voss proposed the health of Mr. and Mrs. Blunt, who have now leased the hotel from Mr. White. The Gulgong people had known them for some years, and he was sure they would maintain the reputation of the Post Office Hotel. The toast was honored enthusiastically, and Mr. Blunt in thanking the company, referred to the heavy responsibility he had undertaken, but felt sure that, by the very closest attention to business, he would have no cause to regret the step he had taken.
Last Saturday evening an unfortunate accident occurred to Mrs R. White, of the Post Office Hotel, Gulgong. While going behind the bar her attention was drawn to a customer. Not observing the cellar flap open, quite in advertently she fell down the cellar. In the fall the back of her head struck heavily on a cask. She was immediately lifted out of the cellar and placed in her room, where Dr. Quinn, of Rylstone, who is a visitor to the town, gave immediate attention. Mrs. White has been under the medical supervision of our local medico, Dr. Blaney, since. An examination has proved that though no bones wero broken Mrs. White has been severely bruised and received a serious shock to the system. It is universally hoped that she will soon be on the road to a complete recovery.
1906 - LOCAL BREVITIES
Mr. R. White, of the Post Office Hotel, Gulgong, is at present in ill health. He is under the care of Dr. Nickoll, and it is hoped his recovery will be rapid.
The death is announced of Mrs. Richard White, which took place at her residence, the Post Office Hotel, Gulgong, on Friday last. The deceased lady was a very old and respected lady of the district, having resided there ever since the commencement of the gold mining days. The funeral took place on Saturday, and was largely attended, the Rev. Father O'Donnell officiating at the graveside. Many telegrams of condolence have been received by Mr. White from distant parts of the State.
Born in London over 86 years ago, Richard White went to sea at a very early age before the mast. He came to Australia in the roaring old days, chased goldfield after goldfield until in 1870 he landed in Gulgong the day's when the weekly clean up at the claim had to be taken to the bank in spring carts. Here he followed mining with varying success for a number of years. Later on he settled down in hotel business opposite the post office. Afterwards he was proprietor of the Cobbora Hotel and eventually he returned to the Gulgong hostelry, which he conducted for very many years, and which he owned up till the time of his death. During his residence in Gulgong he was a first class citizen, his name, hand and purse being in every movement for the public good. White by name and white by nature, is exactly how he was spoken of by hundreds who knew him, and words epigramatically describe the generous, clean living old citizen ... During the past ten years he mostly resided in or about Sydney with his foster daughter, Mrs. Katherine Clarke. Some six months ago he developed an intractable malady. Medical and surgical interventions were of no avail, and this fine old man passed away on Sunday afternoon last at the ripe age of 86 years and three months. The remains reached Gulgong by Tuesday morning's train, and stayed in St. Luke's C.E. until 2.30 p.m. The rector, Rev. Caldwell, conducted service in the church at that hour, and the funeral took place at 3 p.m. He was laid with his wife (who has pre-deceased him by18 years, in the R.C. portion of the Gulgong Cemetery.
Mr. White had no blood relatives in Australia, a sister and nephews in England being all of his family. Over 70 years ago, however, Mr. and Mrs. White adopted an orphan girl and brought her up as their own. And all of the love and care which they lavished upon the child has been repaid a hundred fold since she reached womanhood. Mrs. Clarke has been unremitting in her care of, and affection for, the deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Clarke and son Reg were the chief mourners at the funeral. Among other old Gulgong identities we noticed Mr. Richard Stear, once owner of the Times bakery and modern butchery, who came up from Sydney with the casket. He is still hale and hearty at the age of 72. Messrs. McGowan and Bayliss had charge of the funeral arrangements.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 26 Feb 1925 Page 18
The late Mr. Richard White was always a generous giver to the Gulgong Hospital and his church. His executor has handed the hon. secretary of the Gulgong Hospital a bond for £100, which he bequeathed to the hospital.
