LOST OVERBOARD

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22906, 30 December 1939, Page 10

LOST OVERBOARD

DEATH OF MR J. S. MCLEOD PRESIDENT OF RACING CONFERENCE FALL FROM RAIL OF STEAMER EXPRESS Lost overboard from the steamer express Wahine shortly after the vessel cleared Pencarow Head for Lyttelton on Thursday night, Mr James Sterling McLeod, a well-known businessman, of Hastings,- and president of the New Zealand Racing Conferencev was drowned. It was at 8.39 p.m. when the alarm of “Man overboard” was given. Two lifebuoys were at once released, and the vessel was brought to. The acci-

dent lifeboat was sent away smartly, in spite of a heavy swell which was running. The search was continued for an hour and 20 minutes without avail. Mr McLeod had been in ill-health recently, and was travelling to Hanmer Springs. He was accompanied by his brother-in-law, Mr Arthur Hay, of Eketahuna, the two occupying a deck cabin. When Mr McL -od left the cabin, Mr Hay followed him, and discovered him leaning out over the rail. He grasped Mr McLeod, and called to a soldier for assistance, but before the soldier could reach the two men, Mr McLeod, a heavy man, fell from Mr Hay’s grasp. Through the delay to the ship, the Wahine did not arrive at Lyttelton until 35 minutes after her usual time, MR MCLEOD’S CAREER - ' i FOUNDER OF HAWKE’S* BAY BUSINESS j 1 LONG CONNEXION WITH t RACING t I Mr McLeod was a successful businessman in Hawke’s Bay. He entered J the stock world many years ago as ;* agent for Messrs Williams and Kettle, Ltd., and acted as assistant to the late , Mr Alfred Reid, the best-known auc- ‘ tioneer in that part of the Dominion. Later Mr McLeod was appointed auctioneer for Messrs Murray Roberts and Company, Ltd., and after serving that firm well for several years he entered the present business of Messrs de Pelichet. McLeod and Company, Ltd., a mercantile firm established in Hastings. Mr de Pelichet was for a long period manager for Mr S. H. Gollan, ] who resided in England, and he and 1 Mr McLeod launched out in a small way under the name of Messrs de Pelichet and McLeod. This firm gradually developed into the strong company it is to-day. Mr de Pelichet died some years ago, and the business has been 1 carried on since under the manage- J ment of Mr McLeod. The foundation clients of the firm were mostly young farmers and sheepfarmers, and they were assisted in many ways in good and bad times by Mr McLeod, whose advice on matters pertaining to all farm activities was eagerly sought and willingly given. He endured a trying time during the depression period, as, ix*i keeping -witlx all' other * mercantile firms, many ol his clients had to v>e nursed through what were probably ; the worst times ever experienced in ■ New Zealand. By Mr McLeod’s bust- ; ness ability and sound judgment there ' are many sheepfarmers in Hawke s , Bay to-dav who have to thank .him for being able to weather the storm. - Mr McLeod was well known in so- ; cial life in Hastings. He did not take any active part in outdoor sport in later years, but was a keen and practical supporter of many bodies. He was a member of the Hastings Club for some 30 years, and was its president for a long period. One of his main pastimes was billiards, at whichhe was considered one of the best amateurs in Hawke’s Bay, and still showed his skill in inter-club matches up to last year, ’ Owner and Breeder Mr McLeod was probably best known to New Zealanders by his long connexion with racing. He first seriously, entered the game by purchasing an Australian-bred mare Tressida, and breeding from her. He came into pro- ; minence as an owner by racing Runi nymede, the second of Tressida’s foals, 1 this colt winning, amongst other races, the New Zealand Derby of 192_0. Shortly after this he was sold at a big figure to go to Australia, and in subsequent years Mr ’McLeod also sold Raasay, Gannymede, and Simba to Australia at substantial prices. These were all produced bv Tressida.. who also was the dam of My Own, winner for Mr McLeod of several races, including the Canterbury Jockey Clubs Metropolitan Handicap. When put to the stud My Own produced Yours Truly, who won the last. New Zealand Cuo. Mr McLeod had tried several times previously to win one of the big Cup events of the Dominion, ,and the Victory of Yours Truly was undoubtedly one of the proudest in his career as a breeder and owner. Unfortunately, he was not able, owing to illness. to be present at Riccarton to see his horse win. A few weeks after the success Yours Truly was sold for 1500 guineas, and is at present in Sydney. Mr McLeod was a prominent member of the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club for close on 40 years, and after acting as a member of the committee for a long time, he carried out the duties of the club’s president for a long term, filling that capacity during the lean times experienced bv the club, which, however, survived the depression ordeal, and has since gradually regained its old-time prosperity. He resigned as president when he was appointed vice-president of the New Zealand Racing Conference, and on the death of Mr O. S. Watkins he was appointed to the presidency, an Office which he held up to his death. Mr McLeod during his term of office did some excellent work for the conference, at the same time snaring no effort to assist the well-being of owners, trainers. riders, and all others connected with

the racing industry, He was, in racing, just as firm in his methods as he was in business ip Hastings, but there was always something solid behind his manner of dealing with matters brought before him, and racing conditions generally have benefited to a marked degree by his Sound judgment and weU-congidered advice.