MR. D. FRASER’S DEATH

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2224, 8 January 1921, Page 3

MR. D. FRASER’S DEATH

CORONIAL INQUIRY

The adjourned inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Dir Duncan Fraser,' of Bulls, was continued at Palmerston yesterday.

Miss Marjorie Fraser, sister of deceased, testified that her brother was a farmer arid a bachelor, 50 years of age, and resided in a cottage oji his place with a youth named Lewis. On the morning of: the sth inst. witness received a telephone message to the cffeci that her brother was not feeling well. In about half an hour witness arrived at (be cottage, to discover her brother lying on a bed, partially dressed, face downwards, and apparently in great agony. He was, however, tally conscious, and when asked where the pain was, he put his hand round to' his beck, but made no remark. He was in no distress of mind, but in great distress of body, while conscious,\bul he soon became delirious. Dr. Watson, o! Bulls, was summoned. After making an examination of deceased, he rang up Dr. I. s. Wilson, of Palmerston N. Deceased had had his hack injured el fool hall in his school days, and had always suffered in consequence of: any oyer-exertion. He had been in the habit of using liniments and internal medicines of various kinds for his complaint. He had recently consulted different medical men with reference .to his back, which, witness believed, had lately been troubling him more than formerly,'particularly during thepast six months. His health, mentally and physically, was otherwise normal. He was apt lo become depressed at times' on account of his weakness, hut he had no financial worries.

Dr. Wilson gave.evidence that deceased vomited three'times, and the iiuid smell strongly of camphor, a component of most liniment compounds, Injections were given and restoratives applied. Treat men l reova led evidences of internal bleeding, which would he caused by an irritant poison. Deceased was coneyed to a private hospital in Pal-icer.-lon North, hut died that evening. In witness' opinion death was hie to poisoning caused through the taking of a fatal quantity of lini-

ment. The Hon. D. H. Guthrie, a broth-er-in-law of deceased, also staled that Mr Fraser had no worries of any sort. The Coroner returned a verdict in accordance-with the medical testimony, slating that tliAre was not sufficient evidence to show whether the poison had been taken accidentally or otherwise. The deceased gentloniumwas buried in the family cemetery at Bulls •n Thursday afternoon. He saw -erv'ice in South Africa as a member •,f the 3rd New Zealand (Rough Riders) 'Contingent during 1900-1, oid since his return to the Dominion aid been engaged in farming, pursuits at "I’ukekohe," Lower RanDtikei. His only brother was killed a France, and he is survived by six -asters, Mesdames 1). 11. Guthrie, ol 'ending, F. Gorrange,.of Levin, T. y.cott, of Wanganui, and Misses M. a. * and S. Fraser, of Parewamii. lake his father, the late Mr Fraser was a, breeder of stock, and also look an interest in racing, one of his best known Imr.-es being Square Deal.