DEATH OF DR FULTON

Evening Star, Issue 18623, 2 May 1924, Page 7

DEATH OF DR FULTON

A NOTABLE CARtfER. The relatives and immediate friends of Dr E. V. Fulton were fully award, early this week, that ho was critically ill. He had been laid aside by an attack of pneumonia, and from this he was seemingly on his way to recovery, when, a relapse occurred, and this caused his death yesterday evening. Robert Valpy Fulton was the youngest son of the late Hon. James Fulton, and was bom at Ravenscliffe, West Taieri, in 1855. As a boy ho attended tho West Taieri School, and afterwards went to the On tram School, the head master of which at that time was Mr David A. M’Nicoll. Then he had four years at the.Otago Boys’ High School. His* first employment was in the service of tho National "Mortgage and Agency Company. After two years in that office ho started the study of medicine at the University of Otago, and, proceeding to Edinburgh, ho graduated there as Bachelor of Medicine and Master of Surgery in 1889. ‘ For nine months after graduating ho hold a position with the New Zealand Shipping Company at Home. On returning to Dunedn he settled down to the practice of his profession. Dr Fulton was a man of many parts, being very active both in body and mind. He took a keen interest in Volunteering, and was for twelve years attached as honorary surgeon to tfie Dunedin Naval Artillery. Ho was a member of tho Medical Board which selected the men who volunteered for tho Boer War. He took a live interest in the affairs of the Dunedin District Volunteer Officers’ Club. At one time he was an active cyclist, and won prizes on the racing track, and he was twice president of tho Dunedin Cycling Club. Ho also identified himself with rowing, and became a vice-president of the North End Boating Club. He nvaa one of the founders of the Otago Early Settlers’ Society, and sab for many years on the committee. Fie was vice-president of the Otago branch of the British Medical Association in 1899, and president in 1900. In 1902 he visited the Fiji Islands, and on returning he read before the Otago Institute a paper on the fire-walking ceremony. In 1903 he was elected a member of tho Society of Arts and a fellow of tire Royal Meteorological Society. In later life his sympathies drew him towards the old High School boys and the Early Settlers’ Association, and a love of history prompted him to write a book giving tho lives (in outline) of the medical men of Otago.’ In his work on behalf of the Early Settlors’ Association ho was of particular value, because ho knew intimately tho doings of the pioneers and preserved a personal acquaintance with many of tho old families. At the last reunion, in March, ho was one of the men on whom the committee relied to promote the general sociability by going about amongst tho pioneers and their descendants and bringing them together. It is also an essential duty in noticing Dr Fulton’s career to make special mention of his abiding interest in the affairs of the Otago Boys’ High School. Tho success of the jubilee of 1913, when ho was chairman of the executive, and of the diamond jubilee of last year, when ho was the president, was largely due to his efforts. In fact, it has been said, and with good reason, that the diamond Jubilee would not have been held if it had not been for the energy ami enthusiasm displayed by Dr Fulton, who stimulated the interest of the old boys and carried tho function to a successful conclusion. Ho was a co-editor of the ‘Otago Boys’ HHi School Register,’ which was published in 1906. Dr Fulton was a member of tho Otago Boys’ High School Board of Governors, and-had been the chairman of that body. , , . Ah heart the doctor was a- born naturalist. Ho could always detach himself for anv matter immediately in hand, and became enthusiastic over his duties or his hobbies; but when on the subject of New Zealand birds he waxed eloquent. Ha probably knew more about the habits and the life story of those birds than any other man. Dr Fulton was a man of widespread Interests apa.rt from his profession, and he will be much missed throughout the community. He was a charming companion and a steadfast friend. Mrs Fulton, who survives her husband, was the third daughter of Mr H. Hertslet. There are three sons and two daughters. The eldest son is _Dr R. A. H. Fulton, who is practising in this city; Dr N. E. H. Fulton is at present in residence as house surgeon at the Wellington Public Hospital; and the third son, Mr J. R. H. Fulton, is a student of medicine at the Otago University. One daughter married the Rev. F. V. Fisher, of Wyndhara, and the other (Miss CL Fulton) resides in Dunedin,