IN MEMORIAL

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 88, 13 August 1915, Page 4

IN MEMORIAL

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL MALONE _ • y A TRIBUTE FROM THE BENCH. STRATFORD BAR’S REGARD. i *i §lf Before proceeding with the business of the Magistrate’s Court this morn-* iug His Worship, Mr W. G. Kenrick, Stipendiary Magistrate, made reference to the death of the late Lieuten-ant-Colonel W. G. Malone. Mr Malone was, he said, a man who everybody kffew and he was held in esteem by, all those who had his acquantance. When the call came he thought lit to answer and he had done good work for his country. The late solicitor was prepared for duty and was one of the first to volunteer. Mr Malone was mentioned in despatches a few days ago ami he bad fought and died for his country; No man could do more than give his life for bis country. Mr Malone was the first member of the New Zealand bar to die for his country, and his memory would be a long lasting one in Taranaki. He had known Mr Malone for sopve> six'.years and everything he had done, was clone with great courtesy, ability and good taste. He would make the suggestion—and he thought it would lie a good plan—to put a. large framed portrait of the late Colonel Malone, in the Court where ho had so long practiced to remember him bv.

The following members of the bar were present: Messrs T. C. Fookes, C. Wright, R. Spence. J. R. L. Stanford, E. S. Rutho-rfurd, S. Spence, S. Macalister. A. Coleman, P. Thomson and Jones. The Justices present were : Messrs C. D. Sole, J. Masters, S. B. Hunter, and S. Ward.

Mr T. C. Fookes, in replying on be-

half of the Bar, spoke as follows; On this sad occasion we desire to join j with your Worship in giving express 1 siou to our deep feelings of regret at 1 the untimely death of our friend, Mr j Malone. Stratford mourns the loss of ■ one of her best citizens, and ]New Zea- | land and indeed the whole Empire • the loss of one of her truest* patriots. Mr Malone was a strong man, a true

gentleman, a loyal friend, a generous

and honourable foe. It was my pera quarter of a century to be a close and intimate friend of Mr Malone, and to have had extensive business re-

lations and dealings with him all that;

time, and I can testify to the* high Tdeats always set by Mr Malone, and the practical exemplification by him of these ideals in all his actions add con* ' duct. Mr Malone abhorred everything mean add'petty, and was always.himr keif an example of straight dealing, i Mr Malone was admitted to practice a's a solicitor’in the year 1894,- iiml built up an extensive practice, in tho

conduct of which he always upheld and maintained the best traditions of the profession. Although a busy man, Mr Malone found time to devote him-

self to the public service, and the town and district have benefited, largely ; by , his 1 'efforts dfr their ;behal£., Mr,Malone

at one time had ambitions for a PayUa- . rnentary career, hut the objectionable „ system of party government was distasteful to hifn, and he finally relin.quished all idea of entering the. Parliamentary arena, and* thenceforth devoted himself heart and soul to i serving his Country in the 'Defence Department. How eminently fitted he was for this we all know, and I venture to say that no finer soldier ever donned the King’s uniform than our friend Colonel Malone, His indomitable courage, his physical fitness and endurance, his fine sense of discipline and duty, his thorough methods and magnificent powers of organisation all stamped him as a born soldier. Mr Malone last voter contemplated carrying out his long cherished desire of visiting the Old Country, the land of his birth, but at the outbreak of the present lamentable war, he nobly ; and promptly responded to the call of his King and the Empire, and lerft everything and everybody near and dear to him to help in the present great international struggle. How nobly bo has borne himself in this is a matter of history, and it was only last week wo read with pride that he had been mentioned for gallantry at the front in despatches to the Imperial Government. That bo should have fallen so early in the campaign is a national disaster, and his place will ho hard to fill, but our friend died ns be wished, the death of a true hero, face to face with the enemy lighting for his King and the Empire in the cause of justice and righteousness. To *Mrs Malone and the members of the family, wo would add our respectful sympathy in their sad and sudden bereavement. Mr Kenrick said he would Hko to adjourn the Court out of respect to the late Mr Malone, hut there was a largo amount of business, to ha transacted, and when witnesses were called, it was not always convenient to dismiss them. Those present in the Court stood while Mr Kenrick and Mr Fookos were speaking, as a mark of respect.