ROSS, MALCOLM (1862-1930), a son of Alexander Ross, of Dingwall, Scotland, was born in Dunedin and attended the Palmerston High School and Otago University. He was a versatile athlete, an Otago Rugby representative, and a pioneer in alpine-climbing and exploration. Ross began his journalistic career on the staff of the Otago Daily Times, was private secretary for several years to Sir James Mills (q.v.), and for many years acted as parliamentary and Wellington correspondent to The Press (Christchurch) and the Otago Daily Times, and as New Zealand correspondent for the London Times and Melbourne Age. He went to Samoa during the hostilities in 1899 as a correspondent, was New Zealand secretary to the Dominions royal commission (1913), and during the war of 1914-18 was official correspondent with the New Zealand forces in Egypt, Gallipoli and France. Ross was a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, a member of the London Alpine Club (1909), vice-president of the New Zealand Alpine Club, editor of the Alpine Journal (1893-94), and author of many publications, including A Climber in New Zealand (1914), Through Tuhoe Land (1904), Aorangi (1892), and (with his son Noel Ross) Light and Shade in War (1916). He died on 15 Apr 1930.

His wife, FORRESTINA ELIZABETH (d. 1936) was a daughter of George Grant, of Dunedin. She was the author of Round the World with a Fountain Pen, and Mixed Grill (1934).

Who's Who NZ., 1924; Evening Post, 16 Apr 1930, 30 Mar 1936.

Reference: Volume 2, page 132

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