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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Mr. Frederick Pirani

Mr. Frederick Pirani, M.H.R. for the electorate of Palmerston North, is a colonial by birth, and was born in the year 1859. He is a printer by trade, having completed his apprenticeship in the Wanganui Herald office, when that paper was owned by the late Mr. John Ballance. Like many printers, Mr. Pirani graduated to journalism, and now owns (in partnership with his brother) the Manawatu Daily Standard, a flourishing morning paper in Palmerston North, one of the largest inland towns in the North Island, and the centre of one of the finest agricultural districts in the Colony. Mr. Pirani has served a lengthy apprenticeship in local bodies, commencing in Blenheim, where he was a member of the school committee when he was twenty-three years of age. Arriving in Palmerston North more than twelve years ago, he very soon shared in the work of local government, and has acted as Chairman of the Palmerston School Committee, Chairman of the Licensing Committee, member of the Wanganui Education Board, Wellington Land Board. and Middle District University Council, President of the Manawatu and West Coast Agricultural and Pastoral Association, etc., while he was the only member returned at the last licensing committee election for the electorate of Palmerston on the Temperance ticket. At the 1890 general election, Mr. Pirani contested the Palmerston seat (which then included most of the present Otaki electorate) with Mr. J. G. Wilson, the sitting member, and was defeated, after a triangular contest, by 57 votes. In 1893 Mr. Pirani contested the seat with Mr. G. M. Snelson and Mr. J. P. Leary, and was returned by a majority of 203. Mr. Pirani has taken a prominent part in athletics, and in fire brigade and friendly society matters, and was a frequent victor in Wan ganui in his teens, while he is proud of his record of fifteen years' active service in fire brigades. In this connection it is worth mentioning that he was presented a few years ago with a service of plate and a marble clock, as a token of the appreciation and regard of his fellow-citizens.

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Mr. F. Pirani, M. H. R.

Mr. F. Pirani, M. H. R.