A STRENUOUS CAREER.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 20050, 7 April 1914, Page 4

A STRENUOUS CAREER.

LONG AND INTIMATE ASSOCIATION WITH PUBLIC LIFE.

Mr. Frederick Pirani, Chairman, of the- Wanganui Education Board, is a colonial by birth, a son of the late H. C. Pirani, editor for years of the "Hawke's Bay Herald," and was barn. .. in the year 1859. He is a journalist by j^rtofeasfon,, ajnd wta&-pp42snaljly •-a printer, coming to Wanganui. in 1876, arid having completed his apprenticeship in the office of our local contemporary when that paper -was owned by th!q late Bon. Jqhii Ballanjpe. Mr. ; Pirani has served a. lengthy apprenticeship on local bodies, Commencing in Blenheim, where, he was a member of th^- school committee when he was itwetffcy-three years of age. For some years he was 1a leading figure in the public jlife fof iPaimerstoai North, in. • which town he owned and editedl the "Manawatu Standard." He was chairman of the Palmerston School Commit-: tee, clmirman of the Licensing Committee, member of the Wellington Land Bo.ard, of the Wellington School Commissions, and of the Middle District ! University Council, and [President of the Manawatu' Agricultural and Pastoral Association. He stood for Parliament in 1890 for Palmerston as a supporter of the late John BaUanoe and was defeated by Mr J. G. Wilson by 57, votes, Mr J. Stevens splitting the voting. In 1893, Mr Pirani was elected for Palmerston and gave a general support to the -Seddon <Governtaenib. * Me, hovryoverf severed his' connection *mWHi" thafcparty three years after the latie Mr Seddon's accession to office, on the question of the Directorship of the Anglo-Continental Gold Mine Co., and became one of the most effective and' ' caustjc .critics of the Seddon-WarxL Administration, earning for himself a colonial- .reputation. as fa clever and ■ forceful politician. Mr Pirani has taken a .prominent part in Friendly Society matters "and athletics, and was a fre^ qyievt yi<?ikor in foot races in Wanganui in ,his jteens, winning the first amateur< foot race .contested here, while he is ; proud of,'his record of fifteen years' ger- ' vice in, fire brigades. He removed to Feildingin 1906, purchasing the "Star/* and has taken an active interest in puulic matters there, having been a member of the local Borough Council, chairman of the Fire Board, President of the Rugby Football Club, the Harriers, the Oroua Tennis Club, an officer of the Hockey Club, and other local institutions. He neld ©ontinuous office on School Committees from 1882 till 1906, when he was elected a member of the Wanganui Education Board, and on the death of the late Mr G.S. Bridge seven years ago, was elected chairman, after, having been acting-chairman for a year. On Mr G. Carson's retirement, he was elected chairman of the Board of Govern nors of the Girls' College, and has held both positions ever since. These offices made him a frequent visitor to Wanganui, and our educational institutions ow«. a great deal to his foresight. In 1913, the Mackenzie Government appointed Mr Pirani a member of- the Royal Commission 1 on education and it is no secret that he had a good deal to do with the success of that commission. Mr Pirani was asked to stand for the Otaki seat recently, and strong support was offered him, but preferred to accept the local invitation - mainly on account of his intimate association with the public life of'Wangantti.