Mr and Mrs William Junor Fraser (née Elspeth Mathieson)

William Fraser was one of the first policemen of Invercargill, rising to the rank of Superintendent due to his methodical work and high sense of duty. He was born in Ross-shire, Scotland in 1832, and joined the police service there when he was 20. Elspeth Mathieson was born 13 years earlier than William, in Findhorn, Scotland in 1819. They married at Aberdeen in 1857 and the following year emigrated to New Zealand on the Strathfieldsaye. William was the acting constable on board, and was even involved in disarming the captain of the ship during an argument en route. The couple’s first child, William, was born during the voyage.

Shortly after arriving in New Zealand, William joined the Otago police force, and was sent south to take charge of the few policemen in Invercargill. Their remaining children were born here; one daughter and two more sons.  After the division of Otago and Southland into separate provinces, William was appointed Superintendent of Police in Invercargill. The local police force grew considerably as a response to the gold rush which brought a great influx of people from Australia.  The work was strenuous with lots of riding on horseback across wild country and took a heavy toll on William’s health. In 1862 he took a step back and became gaoler at Invercargill.  He was said to have made an impressive figure, with a ‘splendid physical physique.’ He held this position for 26 years, until further ill health forced him to retire. He then became librarian of the Invercargill Athenaeum and for many years also held the position of Superintendent of the St Paul’s Presbyterian Sunday School and was an office-bearer of the church.

Elspeth died on 8 November 1905, aged 86, and William just six days later, aged 74.