LOST OVERBOARD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23542, 30 December 1939, Page 6

LOST OVERBOARD

RACING PRESIDENT MR. J. S. McLEOD'S FATE PASSENGER ON WAHINE LONG SEARCH FRUITLESS [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION*] CHBISTCHURCH, Friday The president of the New Zealand Racing Conference, Mr. James Sterling McLeod, aged 70, of Hastings, owner of the galloper Yours Truly, which won the last Now Zealand Cup at Riccarton, was drowned last night when he fell overboard at 8.30 from the inter-island steamer Wahine in Cook Strait. The vessel was travelling from Wellington to Lyttelton. A search lasting 80 minutes was made by the ship and a lifeboat crew, but the body was not recovered. Two lifebuoys were immediately released from the bridge, and the emergency lifeboat quickly lowered into the heavy swell that was running. The Wahine, under the command of Captain Whitefield, put about, and the search was continued until 10.5 p.m., when the Wahine continued her passage to Lyttelton. Mr. McLeod is reported to have been suffering from ill-health, and was proceeding to Hanmer Springs for a rest cure. He occupied a deck cabin, and was accompanied by Mr. Arthur Hay, of Eketahuna. Mr. McLeod left his cabin and was followed by Mr. Hay, who found him leaning over the ship's rail. Mr. Hay rushed to him and got hold of one of his legs, but Mr. McLeod was a heavy man and Mr. Hay could not retain his hold. Mr. McLeod had been prominent in racing circles in New Zealand for many years, both as a successful owner and breeder and as an administrator. Born in New South Wales, he was educated at St. James' Grammar School, Melbourne, and came to the Dominion in 1894, arriving at Dunedin. He became president of the Racing Conference in 1933 and had remained in office ever since. Mr. McLeod was well known as a breeder of racehorses. He bred Yours Truly, who was sold to an Australian sportsman after winning the New Zealand Cup at Riccarton last month. Other good horses bred by Mr. McLeod at his Fernhill, Hawke's Bay, stud included Kick Off and Runnymede, winner of the New Zealand Derby, Stead Gold Cup. Hawke's Bay Guineas. Royal Stakes and other races; also Tressida and My Own, winners of the New Zealand Oaks, Raasay, Simba. Polly Peacham and Happy Landing. For some years after coming to New Zealand. Mr. McLeod was with Williams and Kettle, Limited, and later Murray, Roberts and Company. Limited, in Hawke's Bay. Subsequently he founded the firm de Pelichet, McLeod _ and _ Company, Limited, in association with Mr. L. de Pelichet. In 1913 he purchased the property Glenaray. of 1500 acres, which later carried 4500 Corriedale sheep.