Jean Michel Camille Malfroy (1840 - 1897)

Born 1840 in France

Husband of Ellen Alice Jones — married 1874 in New Zealand

Died 6 Jan 1897 at about age 57 in Rotorua, New Zealand

Click here for his story in Te Ara The Encyclopedia of New Zealand [1]

Hot Lakes Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 215, 16 January 1897, Page 2 DEATH Malfroy—At Rotorua, on the fifth of January 1897; Jean Michel Camille Malfroy the beloved husband of Ellen Alice Malfroy aged 57 years.

New Zealand Herald 8.10.1926 p:12 MRS. A. E.MALFROY A very old resident, Mrs. A. E. Malfroy was found dead in her bed this morning. She was apparently in her usual health yesterday, being active and bright. Mrs. Malfroy had lived in Rotorua for 40 years. Mr. Jean M. C. Malfroy was appointed' resident engineer of Rotorua in 1886, the year of the great eruption. The Malfroy geysrers in the Government gardens were built by him and bear his name. He had made a great study of geyser action. He died in 1895.

Hot Lakes Chronicle 9.1.1897 OBITUARY It is with regret we announce the death of Mr J. C. M. Malfroy, resident engineer and Chairman of the Town Board, which took place at his residence here on Wednesday evening at 6. 30 o'clock. Mr. Malfroy has been in a very precarious state of health for some time past and astonishment has been freely expressed that he should have attempted to carry on his official duties, which to a man of his thoroughness were arduous in the extreme, whilst battling against a dire and in his case incurable disease. Mr. Malfroy was a native of France and arrived in the colony of Victoria in the "early fifties" and exploited with varying fortune the historic fields of Bendigo, Ballarat and others of lesser note. Still bent on gold seeking he came over to New Zealand some time in the 60's and established himself on the West Coast. Here he imbibed a taste for local politics and was for some time Mayor of Ross. In the Council was the present Premier of the Colony, with whom he fought many wordy battles. Be that as it may we find Mr. Malfroy in 1886 here in Rotorua on the very day after the eruption as Resident engineer in the district. It became part of his duty to report on any changes which might take place in the hot springs and geysers. Those at Whakarewarewa naturally excited his greatest interest and he set himself to work to formulate a theory which would account for their irregularity of action. The result of a long and patient examination during which he experimented with several of the minor geysers at Whakarewarewa and the deductions drawn therefrom were embodied in a paper read before the Auckland Institute in 1891. Since the great Waikite geyser became quiescent eighteen months ago Mr. Malfroy had an ambition to set it once more in a state of activity. Had his health permitted there is little doubt that he would have accomplished it. In 1898 Mr. Malfroy was appointed to represent the colony at the Paris Exhibition and he then received at the hands of the French Government the distinction of Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur. When in Europe he visited most of the Continental and English Spas and watering places and on his return submitted a report to the Government giving the result of his inspection. This report we reprinted the other day. In 1890, on his return from Europe, he conceived the idea of converting the two springs in the Orouawhata pool near the Blue Bath, into active geysers. The object was to increase the efficiency of the Blue Bath, the temperature of which had lowered considerably. It was a time of great anxiety to him as he did not know at what moment he might start a power which it would be impossible for him to control. He spent many hours in the hot steam, it was in winter time, and then exposing himself to the cold air he contracted a series of violent colds. These culminated in an attack of plurisy but he successfully accomplished his work as the Malfroy Geysers to-day testify In 1893 Mr. Malfroy was sent to Hamner to report on the Springs there and on his return, Dr Ginders. who has been his medical attendant throughout; remarked that his health had not improved. It was found that tubercle was developing in his lung and in 1891 he consented to try the dryer climate of New South Wales. On his return in about four months the only change which had taken place was for the worse. About nine months ago it was found that the disease had attacked the vocal chords, and since then it made steely and relentless progress till the end came as already indicated. He died of sheer exhaustion, but painlessly, in the presence of his wife who had nursed him with unwearied care and one or two friends. Mrs. Malfroy has the heartfelt sympathy of this community in her sad bereavement. There is no doubt that Mr. Malfroy was to a great extent a martyr to his duty. He persisted in doing work when his frame was unable to bear it. Up to the very day of his death lie continued to interest himself in the worn in progress at the Sanatorium, and was consulting with Ins men and making notes and entries in his books. Had he accepted the retirement which yens of labor deserved we feel sure that we would not be now writing this poor tribute to his memory. Since Mr. Malfroy’s decease was announced numerous messages of condolence have been received amongst others from the Premier of the colony; Mr W. H, Herries. M.H.R. and the mayor of Ross. Count D'Albans, the French Consul General at Wellington wired as follows: “Exceedingly grieved by the sad news of the death of your husband whose life did honor both in his native and his adopted country. I regret that distance prevents me attending his funeral to pay due respect to the memory of a Knight of the Legion of Honor. Mr Gerhard Mueller arrived in Rotorua on Thursday night for the purpose of at lending the funeral. Yesterday afternoon Mr. Malfroy’s remains were interred in the New Cemetery on a site chosen by himself when the ground was laid out a few months ago. Shortly after three o'clock the remains were borne fiom the residence, the pallbearers being men in the Government employment. Amongst those present were Monsieur Gustavo Gabriel, Governor of Tahiti, (representing Count d'Abbans, Consul-General of France), the aide-decamp of the Governor and two ladies of the party; Major Harris. Brisbane; Messrs J. Malfroy jnr., James Shaw, Kalgoorlie; C. B. Stone, Auckland; G. Mueller, Auckland; Fountain, Queensland; and many others from a distance. The local residents formed a large contingent so that following the hearse there were about 20 vehicles and 10 horsemen besides a great number who proceeded to the cemetery on foot. At the cemetery the service for the burial of the dead according to the liturgy of the Cliinch of England was feelingly read by the Rev. S. Ingle. Major Harris, P.G.M., Queensland, with whom were associated 24 members of the Masonic Order conducted the burial service according to the Masonic ritual and delivered an oration over the grave. The Rotorua Brass Band accompanied the funeral cortege and played the Dead March from “Saul” en route to the cemetery.

Buried in Rotorua cemetery - block 1 section 1 plot 2