Journalists throughout the colony will hear with regret that news has been received by cable of the death in South Africa of Mr J. M. Fraser, second son of Mr Chas. Fraser, sub-editor of the Otago Daily Times. The deceased, who was engaged at Barbertoon Transvaal in mining pursuits, was in his 26th year. He was formerly a promising student of the Otago University. -Poverty Bay Herald, 23/12/1903.
PERSONAL NOTES.
A cable message received yesterday conveyed news of the death on Sunday, at Barberton, Transvaal, of Mr John M. Fraser, an ex-student of the Otago School of Mines. While acquiring the required practical experience during the recess at the end of his second term he accepted a tempting offer from the battery superintendent of the Progress mines, Reefton, to continue at the mine instead of returning to the School of Mines, and not long afterwards he was placed practically in charge of the chlorination works, and subsequently of the cyanide plant. Studies were not neglected, however, as he passed the examination and obtained a certificate as battery superintendent, his intention being to sit for the mine manager's examination as soon as he had completed the time of service required by the regulations. When the dredging boom made its influence felt, however, he relinquished his position at the Progress mines to gain experience of gold dredging and dredging ground. In view of the expected revival of mining in South Africa he decided to try his fortunes there, and left for the Cape with two other mining students, Messrs J. B. Macdonald and G. Royse. Shortly after reaching Johannesburg, young Fraser was engaged by the London and South African Company to report on some properly on the Revue River, Mace Quece, in Portuguese, territory. He was attacked by malarial fever after examining the field, and, being deserted by the natives, he had a most trying time in reaching the coast. On recovering he was despatched by the same company to report on a mining property in Swaziland. This was found to be fairly rich, but the difficulties of transport were too great to permit of it being profitably worked. Another bad attack of fever followed his return to Johannesburg, and he was urged to leave South Africa, but having acquired some very valuable options over mineral-bearing ground he persisted in staying on, so as not to sacrifice these. The slump which prevailed rendering it impossible, however to secure the capital to develop the properties, he accepted a position as assistant mine manager at Barberton. He suffered from an attack of pneumonia, from which he appeared to recover, but it probably left him more liable to a recurrence of the fever attacks. Young Fraser played half back in the Otago Boys' High School representative football team against Wanganui Collegiate School and Christ's College. -Otago Daily Times, 23/12/1903.
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