MR J.E. LEESON RETIRES

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20257, 28 July 1937, Page 2

MR J.E. LEESON RETIRES

A FOUNDATION DIRECTOR

MORRINSVILLE DAIRY COMPANY. (Times Special Reporter.) MORRINSVILLE, Tuesday. The retirement of Mr J. E. Leeson from the chairmanship of the Morrinsville Co-operative Dairy Company was anounced at the annual meeting of the company here to-day by Mr F. W. Seifert, vice-chairman of the company. Mr Seifert said that Mr Leeson’s retirement was a matter of great sorrow to his colleagues on the board, and would be in the nature of a shock to shareholders, who had placed such reliance upon his capabilities over a long period of years. “Mr Leeson is, however, not as strong as h'e should be,” said Mr Seifert, “and after consultation with his doctors he has been forced, for health reasons, to relinquish his position as chairman. It will be practioally impossible to get another chairman of the same calibre, but we are glad that Mr Leeson’s ability and experience will still be at the service of the company, as he will remain a member of the board.” Tributes to the ability of the retiring ohalrman were paid by several shareholders present, one remarking that he was “the finest friend the company has ever had.” It was decided that the company’s appreciation of Mr Leeson’s services should be formally placed on record and that shareholders should make a suitable presentation to him. Mr Seifert was later elected chairman in succession to Mr Leeson. A Foundation Director. Mr Leeson was born at Rugby in 1864 and came out to New Zealand in 1890. He settled first at Levin, and came north to Morrinsville in 1903, since when he has been engaged in dairy farming. He was a foundation board member of the company and has been chairman since 1926.