MR. FRASER IS STILL CRITICALLY ILL; NO IMPROVEMENT SHOWN

Wanganui Chronicle, 13 November 1950, Page 4

MR. FRASER IS STILL CRITICALLY ILL; NO IMPROVEMENT SHOWN

WELLINGTON, Last Night (PA)— The Rt. Hon. Peter Fraser, Leader of the Opposition, is still critically ill in Lewisham Hospital, and several medical bulletins issued today offered no ground for lessened anxiety. It was reported from the hospital this morning that he had spent a fairly comfortable night, but was in a rather weak state. Mr Fraser’s medicl adviser said, afer seeing the former Prime Minister about 9 a.m. today, that there were no signs that Mr Fraser had made any further improvement. A further medical bulletin, at 6 p.m., said there was no change in Mr Fraser’s condition and at 9.30 tonight his medical adviser again stated that Mr Fraser's condition remained unchanged. Mr Fraser was admitted to hospital on October 3, suffering from what was then stated to be the after effects of influenza. Later, pleurisy and pneumonia developed. Mr Fraser was recovering steadily from the latter complaint until, on October 22, he suffered a heart attack, which made his condition grave. He again made slow but perceptible progress for some time, but on November 7 he suffered a severe relapse. Early on tile morning of Friday last he suffered a severe heart attack, after which his condition was described as precarious, and on Friday evening It was stated that he was slowly but steadily losing strength. He had a restful night on Friday and rallied slightly yesterday, but no attempt ha s been made to disguise the fact that he has been in a grave condition over the last few days. Mr Fraser was visited In Lewisham Hospital today by the Governor-Gen-eral, Sir Bernard Freyberg. His Excellency is at present resident In Christchurch, but flew to Wellington lo see Mr Fraser and later returned to Christchurch. Mr Nash, deputy Leader of the Opposition, visited Mr Fraser twice today. Another visitor was Mr A. E. Armstrong, M.P. for Napier. The Prime Minister (Mr Holland) visited Mr Fraser last evening. Mr Fraser’s condition was unchanged at midnight.