FRASER, SIR WILLIAM (1840-1923) was born in India, the son of Captain Hugh Fraser, of the 5th Madras Light Cavalry. He was educated at Elizabeth College, Guernsey, Victoria College, Jersey, and the Lycee de St Brieuc, Brittany, and in 1858 arrived in New Zealand with the intention of going on the land. With A. C. Strode (whose daughter Ellen Isabel he married in 1874), Fraser took up the Earnscleugh station, which he held continuously for many years. In 1862 Hartley and Reilly discovered gold on the property, but did not inform the owners and the rush took them unawares.

Fraser represented Dunstan in the Otago Provincial Council (1867-70). He was a member of the first Vincent county council in 1877 and became chairman in 1883, continuing so until 1893, when parliamentary duties demanded more of his time and the ravages of rabbits had reduced to a minimum the profits of sheep farming in Otago. Elected to Parliament for Wakatipu in 1893, Fraser continued to hold the seat till 1919, when he retired and was called to the Legislative Council. In the Massey ministry of 1912 Fraser was Minister of Mines, Public Works and Industries and Commerce. He continued, in charge of public works alone, in the National ministry (1915-19) and in the Massey ministry till early in 1920, when he relinquished his portfolios. He remained a member of the executive till his death (on 16 Jul 1923).

N.Z., 17 Jul 1923; Who's Who N.Z., 1908; Ross; Gilkison; Otago Daily Times, 17 Jul 1923. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 1, page 158

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