The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]
The Hon. William Kelly
The Hon. William Kelly was born in County Louth, Ireland, in 1840. He arrived in New Zealand in the year 1863, and in the following year he became contractor for the troops stationed in Auckland. In 1865 Mr. Kelly went to Opotiki, where he established a large business and had several vessels running between there and Auckland. He contracted also for the troops stationed there and at Tauranga. In 1868 he was elected captain of the Bay of Plenty cavalry corps, and saw some active service in the Maori war. Mr. Kelly represented Howick and Opotiki in the Auckland Provincial Council until the abolition of the Provinces. He sat in the House of Representatives for a number of years, and was called to the Legislative Council in 1897.