Labour Australia

From the little boy in the street to the wealthiest and most influential citizen—from the nipper in the mine to the general manager—all expressed and felt the sincerest sorrow and regret when the information was made known that Mr. Richard Hawkins, General Secretary of the A.M.A., had succumbed to the illness which necessitated his sojourn in the Hospital during the past few weeks. The genial 'Dick ' was known far and wide, and even those industrially opposed to him and working for different interests, were free to admit that he was a man to be respected and admired. When Mr. Hawkins entered the Hospital about five weeks ago, it was thought by his intimate friends that he would be there a few days, and such proved to be the case, but unfortunately a relapse set in, and after being home for a couple of days it was found necessary to remove him back to the Hospital. From then until his death Mr. Hawkins continued in a varying state of health — some days he would appear to be well enough to leave the institution and the next would appear to be his last on earth. He was progressing well on Friday and Saturday last, but on Sunday evening a bad change occurred, and the patient gradually sank until shortly after 1 o'clock on Tuesday, when the end came.

The late Mr. Hawkins leaves a wife and one (girl) child, for whom general sympathy is expressed. A genial, bright, bluff man, 'Dick ' was popular to a man in Cobar. A man who probably had his failings — and who amongst us has not? — he was yet one whose many good qualities far outweighed his draw-backs. The late Mr. Hawkins came to Cobar about nine years ago from Broken Hill, where he had followed the occupation of a miner for some years. Always a consistent unionist, he was not long in Cobar before he occupied a prominent position in the A.M.A. In 1907 the then secretary resigned, and after a deal of persuasion Mr. Hawkins allowed himself to be nominated, and was returned by a substantial majority. This position he filled until his death. He was a man eminently fitted for the work of his Union, as a proof of which it might be mentioned that when he took office there was not 50 per cent of the workers of Cobar in the Union, while to-day — undoubtedly due to his great organising ability — practically every man working in or about the mines is a member of the A.M.A. or other union. It is admitted on all sides that it will be a difficult matter to fill Mr. Hawkin's place.

The funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon, the cortege being one of the largest ever seen in Cobar. The town band, playing the "Dead March," headed the procession, followed by several hundred members of various local industrial organisations and friendly societies. The Cobar Hospital Committee — of which deceased was a member — were also present, and the town Council was represented by the Mayor and Mr. Rowe. The various branch secretaries of the A.M.A. and others acted as pall-bearers, and immediately following the hearse came the mourning coaches containing deceased relatives, these in turn being followed by a large concourse of the general public. The service at the graveside was conducted by the Rev. Archdeacon Haviland, and Messrs. Gudgeon and Co. were the undertakers.