I thought it would be presumptuous of me to pay tribute to George Bonello Du Puis when there are so many dignitaries and other eminent personalities who have done and will continue to do so in the coming days but I will say a little.
I have been in touch with many public personalities in my life but the character of In-Nutar or Id-Dupuis, as he was affectionately known, was very rare indeed. Even in the worst times (when things in this country were very bad indeed), he always managed to lighten up the heavy atmosphere around us all with some witty comment. The perpetual, mischievous twinkle in his eye was inspiration in itself.
I do have a couple of anecdotes or experiences of Id-Dupuis I would like to share. Way back in 1971, when I was a young 18-year-old and the new Labour government had just been elected, the Nationalist youth movement in Sliema/St Julians was inexistent. A group of friends got together and we set up the first joint committee for the two towns. There were not enough around to set up separate committees. In-Nutar made his offices in Prince Albert Street, Sliema, available. We met there time and time again. Notwithstanding his very, very heavy workload, particularly in the evening when we met, he would always join us for a short time with words of encouragement and often offer a drink or two.
After the Nationalist Party was elected to government in 1987 and Dr Bonello Du Puis became Minister of Finance, I invited him to dinner at my home. When I asked him to sign my visitors' book - which is in front of me as I write; July 1, 1988 - his message was "Viva Blighty". On asking for an explanation, he told me that this was a tribute to England, of which he was so fond. It was obviously a dig at me, being an Italophile! I must admit that this expression was totally new to me. It was, accordingly, so appropriate that he ended off his public life as Malta's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. Mind you, his passion for English football was as great as that for Sliema Wanderers.
When he became minister in 1987, his office was situated near the police HQ in Floriana (later the seat of the MCESD - or whatever - I believe). He had a garden patch outside his airy and spacious office, where he grew vegetables and would tend to them on Saturdays. When he moved to the Auberge d'Aragon we were feted with exotic birds and plants in the central courtyard. All this, I think, mirrors a man's personality and heart.
In-Nutar also took on the habit of organising an annual reception for all his colleagues (without distinction) in the notarial profession. This was somewhat of a unique experience for me, since - for a change - I was invited through the good offices of my wife, and not the other way round, and he made it a point of calling me an "appendage".
But, as I said, I do not want to be presumptuous. May George Bonello Du Puis get the eternal rest he so richly deserves. He did so much for Malta. May his family find solace in this great contribution.
A word about the Gozo SPCA. I have been following developments in the media regarding the provision of an alternative site for the SPCA. I have also read that Betty Berry, who runs the centre and who I believe I have met, is resigning. This is very worrying news. It appears that there are attempts to find a new site and that the SPCA will be meeting the expense to build a new centre from its own funds.
I would make two appeals. One to Ms Berry to stay on and the other to the authorities - specifically the Gozo Ministry - to find an appropriate site. To be without an SPCA centre in Gozo would be not only disappointing but also cruel.
I do not normally reply to my critics but I feel making a few points regarding the reaction to my last piece, Labour Leads In A Way... " (February 9), are in order this time.
One: In no way was I reflecting on the professional capabilities and skills of the persons I mentioned, namely Marlene Mizzi and Manwel Mallia, for which I have all due respect.
Two: With respect to one Vicky Scerri, who wrote a letter (February 17) regarding my colleague, Dr Mallia, the contents of which were cheap in parts in that she (?) attacked third parties who have absolutely nothing to do with my contribution, I would just say that when I comment or criticise I do so openly, under my own name and shoulder full responsibility for what I write.