Long-serving journalist dies

One of New Zealand's longest-serving daily newspaper columnists, Bob Malcolmson, died in Palmerston North last night.

Mr Malcolmson, 80, had worked for the Chronicle newspaper in Levin since 1946 and had written a weekly column called Listening Post for the newspaper since 1959. His association with the newspaper began after his World War 2 service. He indicated he was unlikely to stay longer than 18 months but continued to work for the paper for 56 years.

Though retired and seriously ill, Mr Malcolmson continued to write his weekly column from his sick bed at home in Levin and from hospital in Palmerston North. He had never missed producing a column in 43 years.

Mr Malcolmson had held the positions of chief reporter and chief sub-editor during his career on the newspaper and was acting editor on a number of occasions.

- HOROWHENUA-KAPITI CHRONICLE (LEVIN)