Within a short time after the elections of 1871, Mr. Clark, who had defeated Mr. Fraser in South Grenville, died, and the constituency was thus left without a representative in the Ontario Legislature. Mr. Fraser accordingly offered himself once more to the electors in the month of March, 1872, and was returned at the head of the poll. A petition was filed against his return, and he was unseated, but upon returning to his constituents for reëlection in the following October he was once more successful. A year later he was offered a seat in the Executive Council, as Provincial Secretary and Registrar, which he accepted. He returned for reëlection after accepting office, and was reëlected by acclamation. He retained this position until the 4th of April, 1874, when he became Commissioner of Public Works. The latter position he still retains. In the conduct of this important department Mr. Fraser has displayed administrative talents of a high order, and has proved himself a most capable public official. He originated, prepared, and successfully carried through the Act giving the right of suffrage to farmers' sons. He is a ready and fluent debater, and is always listened to with respect by the House, where he is regarded as one of the representative Roman Catholics of Ontario. His position, both in the House and out of it, has been honestly won, and his influence among his colleagues in the Government is fully commensurate with his abilities. He was reëlected for South Grenville at the general election of 1875. At the general election held in June, 1879, he again contested the South Riding of Grenville against Mr. F. J. French, of Prescott, but was defeated by a majority of 137 votes. In his native town of Brockville he was more successful, 1,379 votes being recorded for him as against 1,266 for his opponent, Mr. D. Mansell. He now sits in the House as member for Brockville. He is President of the Roman Catholic Literary Association of Brockville, and takes a warm interest in municipal affairs. In 1876 Mr. Fraser was created a Queen's Counsel. His wife was formerly Miss Lafayette, of Brockville. SANDFORD FLEMING, C.E., C.M.G.