OBITUARY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 53, Issue 32410, 22 March 1944, Page 6

OBITUARY

SIR COLIN FRASER’S DEATH BORN AT COROMANDEL BRILLIANT SCHOLAR PASSES A brilliant scholar and one of the leading figures in Australia’s metal industry, Sir Colin Fraser, chairman of directors of Broken Hill South, Ltd., director of Materials Supply in the Commonwealth Munitions Department, and managing director of the Electrolytic Zinc Company of Australasia, Ltd., has died at the age of 69. Born at Coromandel, and matriculating from the Thames High School in 1892, Sir Colin Fraser became a student at the Thames School of Mines in 1890, and after several years of study, gained his scholarship. In 1904 he obtained his Master of Science degree and the following year joined the Geological Survey Department, and in conjunction with Mr J. H. Adams, the Coromandel portion of the mining survey of the Hauraki Peninsula was undertaken, under the direction of Dr. Mclntosh Bell. This work is recognised by all mining men as a valuable contribution to the mineralogy of the Hauraki goldfields, extending as it does from Coromandel to Waihi. From 1911 to 1914 Sir Colin was a consulting mining r engineer in London before becoming associated with the Broken Hill operations. He attended the Ottawa Conference as representative of Australian metal interests and was knighted in 1965. Sir Colin was president of the Australian Mines and Metals Association. He was chairman of directors of Metal Manufacturers, Ltd.; managing director of Broken Hill Associated Smelters, and the Electrolytic Refining and Smelting Company of Australasia, Ltd. His directorates included North Broken Hill; Zinc Corporation, Ltd.; New Broken Hill Consolidated, Ltd.; Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation; associated Pulp and Paper Mills, Ltd.; and the DunlopPerdriau Rubber Company, Ltd. In his aircraft interests Sir Colin was associated with the building of i the Australia “Wirraway” fighter- | bombers, an American type adapted to Australian conditions and requirements. Sir Colin maintained his interest in New Zealand and in his capacity of chairman of directors of the Taranaki (N.Z.) Oil Development Company, No Liability, he visited the country in May, 1939, to inspect work in the Gisborne and Taranaki districts. He is survived by his wife and two daughters, Mr W. C. Fraser, of Coromandel, is a brother, and Mesdames Steedman and Burgess, of Auckland, are sisters.

OLD IDENTITY MR A. F. G. WHITING PASSES The death occurred at Coromandel Hospital on March 4, of Arthur Frederick George Whiting in his 81st. year. He was born at Flag Staff Hill, Russell and resided in Coromandel and Opitonui for some years, afterwards going to Auckland where he was well known at that time as a building contractor. He returned to Coromandel about 20 years ago and remained there till his death. Rev. C. Aker conducted the iburial service.