THE LATE LIEUT.-COLONEL JAMES FRASER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 580, 30 March 1870, Page 3

THE LATE LIEUT.-COLONEL JAMES FRASER.

The Southern Cross of a recent date contains the following notice of the abote distinguished officer : — James Fraser was of Scottish origin, being descended from the Lovat family. His parents settled in Canada, and in course of time he entered her Majesty's service as an ensign in the 73rd Regiment; with it he served in India during the Mutiny — for some time as adjutant of awing of the regiment On his return home, being anxious for active service, he sold out with a view of joining the Federal army, but eventually he came to New Zealand. In August, 1864, he was appointed captain of miiitary settlers in Napier. In October of that' year Mr Volkner was murdered at Opotiki, and a general rising took place along the East Coast. At that time the whole military force of the country was employed on the West Coast .under General Cameron, and with tbe exception of the force at Tauranga there were no Imperial troops on the East Coast. These were not moved, and all the work had to be done by the colonial forces. - .Mr M'Lean sent Capfc Biggs off with thirty men to Waiapu, and Eraser volunteered to join him. He accordingly embarked with sixty men and began his career of sucet ss. A series of skirmishes occurred before he waß enabled, with the help of Morgan and his tribe, to attack the Pakairomir mi. He led the attack in person, being the first man iv the pa and. getting his cap shot off. The rebels here suffered very heavily. Shortly afterwards he invested Pukemarie, a pa believed to be impregnable, but after hard fighting in tbo trenches, finding themselves in imminent danger, the Hauhaus evacuated the place, and retired to an interior fortress in Hick's Bay, B-ggs, his companion in arms, followed up with vigour, supported by Fraser, and the result was the surrender of five hundred rebels. Immediately after this ho was ordered to Poverty Bay, and here his soldierlike talents shone forth. He led not only the enemy but his own people to believe that he intended to attack Pukeameonga. On this hill the Hauhaus entrenched themselves strongly, and Eraser, by a night march, left them on his left and attacked Wairangahika (a pa built close by the Bishop's house). The fighting here for two days was very severe, and many lives were lost ; but tbe upshot was that the enemy were defeated again with heavy loss. Wairoa was the next scene of operations, and, in concert with Ropata, Iftraser invaded the Vrewera country and chased the enemy right up to the Waikaremoana lake and fought him at Onepoto. Sub- ■ eequehtly on the occasion of an Hauhau attack on Napier in 1866, he intercepted one , column of the enemy at Patane, and defeated it with slaughter. The results of this campaign on the East Coast may be briefly summed up : oue thousand eight hundred natives submitted and prisoners ; six hundred stand of arms taken : besides those destroyed ; several strongholds captured ; upwards of two hundred of the enemy actually burled by us, with loss and . -casualties on our side only thirty-one. For these services he was promoted to a Majority and appointed R.M. On tbe formation of the Armed Cons tabu- \ _■ lary, Major Fraser received the command ot ■ No. 1, the mounted division, which waa i quartered in Hawke's Bay.. In 1868, he started with his division for Opotiki, and for fthe next eighteen months was constantly, ih : the field. After 7 taking his share in several ■expeditions into the Uriwera country, including the skirmishes up the Waimane, and capture of Otara and Te Ponga, was placed in -garrison at Whakatane, until the news of Te Kooti's landing again put him on the move. Prevented by stress of weather from reaching Colonel Whitmore in time for his advance, he yet caught him up, and was .hotly engaged at the fight at Ruaheturi, where he gallantly covered the retreat. It was shortly after this that his division was .removed to the West Coast — a removal which occasioned so much dispute iv the House. He assumed command at Patea, when things were in a fearful state, and his presence and decision quelled a mutiny, which might have had more serious consequences. From this he was again brought round to the East Coast, and assisted in the opetations previous to and at the fall of Ngatapa. The position

he held there was the' most difficult of all, and the indomitable pluck of himself and his men drove back, under great disadvantages, every sortie of the enemy. He was mentioned in despatches, and promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel. From Poverty Bay round to Wanganui was the next move. His was the nearest division to the enemy at; Taurangaika. He was engaged in the marches and skirmishes consequent. He was prevented by sickness from taking part in the action at Otauto, but joined his division in time to start on a march round Mount Egmont. While on this . march he was seized with an epileptic fit, which necessitated his being sent back to Patea. ; Joined again at Waitara, and came round to East Coast once more. His division formed part of the centre column under Colonel St. John in the march up Urewera country, and he specially distinguished himself by the coolness with which he led his men at the taking; of Tatatoata pah. He remained with his division on the Rangitikei till the force was broken up, when NO. 1 went to Tauranga. On tne re-modelling of the Constabulary he was appointed to this district, and in its command he died. Colonel Fraser was emphatically, an officer and a gentleman. He had a good eye for ground, and knew how to handle his men. A cool brave man, he was enabled during the hottest flre to take advantage of every opening which was left him, where dash was required he led the way himself, and had many narrow escapes. Wherever the report of his death reaches in New Zsaland there will be found some old fellow soldier of his to reverence his memory. To say that his brother officers and men deeply regret his loss is using merely a common-place phrase. They lament his untimely death, and feel true grief. The country can follow their example, as, in the list of gallant and public spirited, officers who have lost their lives while loyally doing their duty, none deserve more than James Fraser.