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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Piako

Piako.

Piako is within a short distance of Morrinsville, in the county of Piako, and 104 miles south-east by rail from Auckland, with which it has daily postal communication.

Allen, William Shepherd, M.A., “Annandale,” Piako. Mr. Allen's beautiful property contains about 4300 acres, all, except 1000 acres, capable of cultivation. The sheep number 2000, including a fine stud flock of Romney Marsh, which for quality are not easily surpassed, and there is also a herd of 600 mixed cattle. Mr. Allen has resided in New Zealand, off and on, for the past twelve years, and is well known both in the Old Country and the Colony. He is a native of Manchester, where he was born in 1831, and was educated at Wadham College, Oxford, where he obtained his degree of M.A. In 1865 he was returned to the House of Commons as Liberal member for Newcastle-under-Lyne and occupied the seat till 1886. Mr. Allen was unable to agree with the leaders of the party on the Home Rule question, and became a Unionist. It was in 1885 he first visited the Colony with his family, and he then decided to settle in New Zealand. In 1890, he made his entry into colonial politics, and was returned for the Te Aroha electorate, but was unseated owing to an irregularity. He after wards contested the electorate of Parnell, but was unsuccessful. He occupied a seat on the Piako County Council for some time, but resigned on returning to England for a trip. In reference to Mr. Allen's connection with English politics, it is interesting to note that his eldest son now represents his old constituency, and had the distinction of being, at the time of his election in 1891, the youngest member of the House of Commons. Mr. Allen was married to a daughter of Mr. John Candish, M.P. for the Borough of Sunderland, and has six sons and four daughters, most of whom are settled in New Zealand.

Mr. J. C. Allen.

Mr. J. C. Allen.