KELLY, JOHN (1807-83) was a native of County Tyrone, Ireland. As a young man he joined the Royal Engineers and came with a detachment to Australia, where he superintended the construction of government buildings in Tasmania and New South Wales. In 1836 he retired from the army and crossed to Bay of Islands, where he lived for several years. He was present at the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. Kelly acted as guide to a detachment of the 80th Regiment during Heke's trouble. About 1843 he removed to Auckland, erected a house on a piece of land which he had bought at Mt Eden and continued to practise as a surveyor. He represented the Pensioner Settlements in the Provincial Council (1856-59). He died on 14 Apr 1883.

Auckland P.C. Proc.; N.Z. Herald, 16 Apr 1883.

Reference: Volume 1, page 244

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