Extract from The Newcastle Herald, Tuesday December 26, 2000

Coliseum Emperor's reign ends

THE ashes of colourful Mayfield (one of the high mullet area of Newcastle)identity Leo Maley may be scattered around his beloved Coliseum, if a friend of the landlord has his way.

Leo Maley, well-known for his disputes with NCL City Council and Mayfield residents, died on December 18 from complications arising from a stroke early this month.

Friend Peter Boyd thought people would support a special service in Mayfield to remember the craggy-faced man who aroused passionate feeling in all who knew him.

'Love or hate him, he's left a gaping hole in Mayfield,' said Mr Boyd, a Mayfield businessman.

Mr Maley, the long-time owner of the landmark Coliseum building, was in his mid 70's. He was perhaps best known for his long-running legal dispute with NCL City Council.

Famous for conducting his own court cases, the reclusive landowner took the council to the District Court two years ago after it dismantled a shop awning in 1990 in the wake of the NCL earthquake of December 1989.

There was also a long-running dispute with the council when it tried to use heritage legislation to force Mr Maley to repair the Coliseum, which was built in 1921 and often referred to by locals as ' the curiosity shop'.

Frustrated neighbours had often complained to the council about the condition of the Coliseum with allegations that some people would not go near the building without police protection.

A furore erupted last year when Mayfield residents alleged that Mr Maley was dumping sewage into bins and gutters.

In 1991, a former tenant of Mr Maley's was put on a five-year bond after pleading guilty to attempting to destroy the building by dousing it with petrol.

According to Mr Boyd, the building that played such a large role in Mr Maley's life was the place in which he was found on December 8, after the stroke.

Mr Maley fought on for 10 days before he died.

'We were as close to family as he had,' Mr Boyd said yesterday.

Plans were well under way for a public service for Mr Maley, who was cremated at the Macquarie Memorial Garden at Rhyhope, Lake Macquarie, last week.

By JASON BARTLETT