LATE LIEUT.-COLONEL MALONE.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 November 1915, Page 3

LATE LIEUT.-COLONEL MALONE.

UNVEILING CEREMONY. (From Our Own Correspondent.) At the Stratford County Council on Wednesday afternoon a life-size photograph of the late Lieut.-Colonel Malone was unveiled in the presence of the Mayor and Councillors, member for the district, Law Society, and a representative gathering. The chairman (Mr. W. Hathaway) said it was very gratifying to see such a large gathering. When word reached Stratford that one of their oldest citizens had laid down his life for his country a wave of sympathy went through the district. Lieut.-Colonel Malone was Clerk to the County from 1890 to 1000, and since then he had continued as their legal adviser. Those who knew him in the early days, first as a farmer, then as a business man, and finally as a barrister and solicitor, would always remember his sterling qualities. He left the Dominion to take up his military duties, to fight for the mothers, sisters, and daughters, and for freedom, and, he regretted to say, the shirkers. As far as the County Council were concerned, they valued his services and advice very highly, and he felt when they looked upon the photograph it would always remind them of a true friend and hero. Mr. Hathaway then unveiled the photograph. Mr. G. Marehant, a former chairman of the County Council, said the occasion carried with it a strong pang of sorrow, and yet fond memories of a true friend, adviser, and neighbor. There was an element of pride in the fact that the late Colonel spent the best years of his life in Taraiiaki—his early life in New Plymouth and his working life in the Stratford district. The Colonel and the speaker came, as comparatively young men, to Stratford together, and had been close neighbors, and they had been associated in local body matters (for years. He (the speaker) was the first chairman and the late Colonel the first county clerk to the County, their relations aa officers being close and intimate. He felt sure Councillors would cherish Colonel Malone's memory. His death should be an inspiration for all. His Worship the Mayor said he had known the late Colonel for fourteen years, and had always thought that he lived up to the best ideals. He was a most unselfish man and those who knew him in camp life would always remember the interest ho took in looking after the welfare of his men, whom he had a happy knack of handling. J' Mr. J. B. Hine, M.P., added his small tribute. The district would never realise its loss. As a soldier he was greatly esteemed, and there was a feeling of satisfaction throughout Taranaki, especially among the mothers, when they knew lie was to go in charge of their boys, feeling sure the boys would get justice and be well cared for. Rev. Father Maples, Mr. T. C. Fookes (on behalf of the Law Society), Messrs J. Masters, G. N. Curtis, W. Godkin, and W. P. Kirkwood also added their tributes.

Mr. T. H. Penn, on behalf of Mrs. Malone and family, thanked the County Council and those gentlemen who had spoken so highly of the late Colonel. He felt sure the fine remarks they had passed that day and the tributes from those who had fought with him, would soften the blow that had so heavily fallen on them.