OLD FRIEND PASSES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 10, 30 September 1942, Page 4

OLD FRIEND PASSES

WELL KNOWN PICTURESQUE

FIGURE

MR ROBERT ERASER'S DEATH

The death of Mr Robert Eraser, which' occurred in the Rotorua Hospital early yesterday morning, has robbed this town of one of its kindliest and 1 most picturesque figures. Those who knew him well will remember him for the staunch old Caledonian he was and' the wealth of knowledge he possessed which: made him ia unique authority on all things Scottish. His death after so many years in the town where his unusual garb, tartan scarf, panama, ornaments;, leggings and carved Maori walking stick made him conspicuous to all strangers, will come as a % shock, for to many it seemed that lie was like Pohaturoa, permanently with us. Whatever his appearance in civilian clothing, few will forget the imposing figure he cut in his full dress Eraser kilt. With his white locks curling under the velvet of his Balmoral, his keen blue eyes shining from his round ruddy face and his generous form fil.ling the handsome uniform to perfection he was indeed something straight from Highlands, from whence his mother carac.i Robert Fraser will be long remembered by Scotsmen in both Islands for in the course of his full life many thousands have bean privileged to hear his addresses on those tales of Caledonia's glorious past, which all true Scots love so well. His greatest theme however was "Bonny Prince Charlie" and the writer has seen tears of emotion :;tart down his cheeks as he told like some loyalist, chieftain who had actiTally borne his battles, the story of the 'Royal exile.' He could quote 'Burns'' with the best and Avas an authority on the old Gaelic language of Scotland. Robert Frasor has joined the great majority and those who wish him well will remember him with appreciation and rcspeet; . A full obituary will appear in Friday's issue.