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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Canterbury Provincial District]

Mr. Phineas Selig

Mr. Phineas Selig, Manager of the Christchurch Press Company, Limited, was born in Melbourne in 1856, and arrived in Wellington at the age of seven years with his parents. After completing his education under the tutorship of Mr. Finnmore, Mr. Mowbray, and Mr Brann (whose schools were the most prominent of the time) Mr. Selig entered the Civil Service as reader in the Government Printing Office, where he remained for some time. In 1871 he joined the staff of the “Lyttelton Times” as reader, but some years later was compelled to resign his position owing to ill-health. He went to Sydney, where he remained for about three years, during which he acted as correspondent for the “Times.” On returning to the colony, Mr. Selig started the “Referee” in copartnership with Mr. A. E. Bird, formerly of the “Canterbury Times” and Melbourne “Sportsman.” The new journal was appointed the Official Calendar for all New Zealand jockey clubs. It was sold to the Christchurch Press Company in 1891, when the “Weekly Press” and “Referee” were amalgamated, and Mr. Selig became editor of the “Referee” portion, which position he occupied until he accepted his present appointment. Mr. Selig has been well known for many years in sporting, dramatic, and athletic circles. He has been president of the New Zealand Trotting Association (the governing body for the sport in New Zealand) since its inception, and president of the Trotting Conference, which holds its sittings annually in Wellington to amend old and make new laws for the betterment of the sport. Mr. Selig is one of the oldest councillors of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, the controlling body for amateur athletics in the colony. He has visited Australia as manager of representative teams competing at the Australasian Championships, and as special correspondent in connection therewith. Mr. Selig is the founder of the Public Schools Amateur Athletic Association of North Canterbury, under the auspices of which the school children make an annual display, which is one of the biggest functions of the year. Mr. Selig, who is a son of the late Rev. B. A. Selig, was married in 1892 to a daughter of Mr. Louis Mendelsohn, one of Dunedin's most respected citizens, and has two daughters.

Mr. P. Selig.

Mr. P. Selig.