LOST OVERBOARD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 December 1939, Page 6

LOST OVERBOARD

SSSTiS' - * WELL-KNOWN SPORTSMAN. OWNER OF NEW ZEALAND CUP WINNER. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH. This Day. Mr James Sterling McLeod, of Market Street, Hastings, aged 70, president of the New Zealand racing conference, and former owner of the galloper Yours Truly, which won the last New Zealand cup at Riccarton, was drowned last night when he fell overboard from the inter-island steamer Wahine in Cook Strait. The vessel was travelling from Wellington to Lyttelton and a search lasting 80 minutes was made by the ship and the lifeboat crew, but the’ body was not recovered. Two lifebuoys were immediately released from Ihe bridge and an 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.