THE HONOURABLE SIR ANDREW HENDERSON LEITH FRASER, M.A., LL.D., K.C.S.I., Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal.
HONOURABLE SIR ANDREW MENDERSON LEITH FRASER, M.A, LL.D., K.C.S.I., was ^2/ appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal, in 1903, T after n service in India extending over thirty-twoycars. During that period he gained a very wide experience of Indian condit ions and made his reputation as an administrator.
He was born in Bombay in 184s, his lather, the Rev. Dr. A. G. Eraser, acting at that time as a clergyman in the Presidency. He was educated at the Edinburgh Academy. He afterwards went to the Edinburgh Univer¬sity, taking his degree of Master of Arts in 1868. The next year he passed for the Indian Civil Service, and, after two years' probation, incumbent under the old rules, he came out to India in »871.
The Central Provinces have been the chief scene of Sir Andrew Fraser's labours until his advent to Bengal: and his history i* hound up with the progress of those Provinces. As Excise Commissioner, Deputy Commis¬sioner. Secretary, Commissioner and Chief Commissioner of the Cenual Provinces he succeeded in gaining entirely the sympathy and affection of all classes and winning a wide reputation as a brilliant officer and a firm adminis¬trator. In 1S93 he was selected by the Government to serve on the Hemp Drugs Commission and, while on that Commission, he traversed the whole of India.
He held the office of Secretary to the Government of India in the Home Department in 1898 and 1899, and he relinquished this appointment at the close of the latter year to succeed Sir Deuzil Tbbetson ns Chief Commissioner nf the Central Provinces. For a long time it had been evident that the Indian Police system was faulty and Lord Curzon, with his customary energy, decided on appointing a Commission to investigate thoroughly the conditions of the service throughout India.
When Sir Andrew Fraser was selected 11s Chairman of the Commission it was universally recognized that its work would be conscientiously and thoroughly done. The labours of the Commission were heavy; evidence hod to lie taken in every pan of India; and it needed the utmost tact and patience to arrive at the truth. The work of the Commission has l>cen embodied in a report that is likely to mark a new era in the Police Service of India. Already many reforms have been founded on its suggestions ; and gradually the whole policy of the Police Administration will lx: shaped from its conclusions. His work as Chairman of this most important Commission, considerably enhanced Sir Andrew Fraser's high reputation While the ('em mission was still sitting he was appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal He completed his work on the Commission, how¬ever, and then took three months'leave of absence to iccruit his health, whi< h had felt the strain of continued effort.
Bengal has always been known as a Province that demands the heaviest labour and self-sacrifice from its Governors. Indeed the Province had grown to such art extent and the problem of its Government become so complicated that the Government of India carried out a scheme for the redistribution of territory with the purpose of bringing the limits of Bengal within reasonable and workable bounds When it is considered that the population of Bengal is nearly eighty millions, it will he seen that the Government was forced into taking some action. The whole question gave rise to a considerable controversy, and “ the partition of Bengal ” led to hot protest and discussion. It was not merely a matter of altering ixirdcrs but one of transferring sections of people from one administration to another.
The question of sentiment entered largely into the matter, and ns Indians are peculiarly sensitive to lnml interests it can be understood that the practical nature of the pro¬posals were obscured by all manner of side issues that were not contemplated. Sir Andrew Eraser, during the first year of his office, was brought face to face with this important question, involving as it docs many issues. The whole argument of the Government of India for the transference of Dacca and Mymensingh and the general redistribution of territory lias been fully set out in a letter published in the Gnu Me of India at the close of 1903.
Sir Andrew Fraser has shown considerable activity ns Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal. He has made a series of tours throughout the Province, bringing himself into associa-tion with local interests with ready sympathy. He has taken his place at the head of the Government with characteristic thoroughness and performed his many exacting official duties with untiring zeal. He bus shown himself ready to lend his aid to any worthy movement, and the many speeches that lie has made show a wide and states¬manlike grasp of the affairs of Bengal and the Indian Empire. He has been happy in presiding at the St. Andrew's Dinner, and has shoan the most vital interest in the religious life of the Province.
His father, who had the distinction of being the oldest Anglican Clergyman in India, died in 1904. Almost up to the last day, this grand old man of ninety-one worked with splendid vigour at Nagporc and Calcutta. The utmost sympathy was felt throughout Bengal for Sir Andrew Fraser in his great personal loss.
The big question of Education naturally attracted the attention of the Lieutenant-Governor. He initiated the idea of establishing a large college at Ranchi, Chota-Nagpur This notable scheme has won the sympathy of the Indian community, for whose benefit it was framed. Primary Education is also being systematised. The Drink question, especially among the native community, became an increas-ingly serious one. Sir Andrew Fraser showed his sympathy with the reformers, who were working to check the habit before it gained too strong a hold on the people, laical Self-Government, Police reform, and the relation of Landlord and Tenant also occupy much of his attention. Nothing but admiral ion is heard for Sir Andrew Fraser's energy and ahiliiy and the pains that he has taken to identify himself with the interests of the people.
He was created K.C.S I. in 1903. Sir Andrew Fraser married, first in 1872, Agnes, daughter of R. Archibald. Devondnle, Tillicoultry, who died in 1877; and in 1883 Henrietta, daughter of Col. H I. Lugnrd. Indian Staff Corps, l^ady Fraser has always warmly supported her husband in his important duties.
