OBITUARY

Evening Star, Issue 20311, 21 October 1929, Page 12

OBITUARY

MR JOHN LETHBRIDGE Up to a few weeks ago Mr John rLethhridge was a familiar figure in Dunedin. During his lengthy connection with Dalgety and Co., particularly after he became the Dunedin manager in succession to Mr E. J. Spence, in 1890, he was one of the leading business men of the city, singularly keen and active, looked up to as tlie possessor of sound judgment, quick to further the interests of his company, yet in all tilings honourable and, as good .as his worq. After his voluntary retirement in 1923 ho spent a large portion of his time in his garden, one of the best in our. suburbs, rich in natives and other specialties, hut he often came into town and always had a job to get home in time, since so many old friends detained him for a handshake. It is a distinct loss to the district that he passed away yesterday afternoon - after a brief illness. Mr Lethbridge was horn, in Devonshire about 1858. . After he had completed his education he devoted his attention to architecture in London for a time, but about 1880 he went to South Africa, where he spent two years in up-country stores as a bookkeeper. This life, however; did not satisfy him, and he decided to go further afield, with the result that he came to New Zealand. On his arrival ip this country he obtained a position with the firm of Dalgety and Co. before it became’ the limited company it now is, and by merit quickly rose in the service until he sat in the managerial chair. It is no secret that he enjoyed the full confidence of his directors at headquarters, and that the company’s prosperity in New Zealand owes more than a little to his foresight. Air Lethbridge was chairman of directors of Donaghy’s_ Rope and Twine Company, also a director of the Mosgiol Woollen Factory Company, He held positions on the directorates of the Dunedin Saleyards Company and the Victoria Insurance Company for a time. Ho was at one time a member of the committee of the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society. For years he was a member of the Mission House Committee and one of its most' liberal supporters. To the committe of .the Dunedin Amenities Society he also gave willing-service. With all these extra activities, plus Ins duty to Dalgety and Co., he round time for the affairs of the Church _of England generally and his own parish of St. Peter’s in particular, and in that connection he held a seat on the Diocesan Trust Board.

Ho is survived by his widow, one sou, and one daughter. The son is a successful runholder at Tarras, and the daughter is married to Mr W. Johnstone; of Teviot. His only other daughter died early this year.