KELLY, MAURICE (1785-1888) was born in Queen's County, Ireland, the son of a peasant farmer. At 15 he went to sea, trading to North and South America, India and New South Wales. Returning to Ireland, he enlisted at Carlow in the 3rd Buffs, from which he deserted a few weeks after landing in New South Wales. Sharing the colonel's passion for cock fighting, he was leniently treated, but he again took to the bush and after five years of country life crossed to Whangaroa, where he worked for a sawmiller (Snowden) for three years. Returning to Sydney in the brig Guide, he spent a few years in Australia and finally came to New Zealand in the Hannah Watson (Captain Stewart), Whitaker being a fellow passenger. Landing at Kaipara he worked at bushfelling at Elmslie's, Wairoa. When the capital was moved to Auckland Kelly was engaged sawing timber at Lucas Creek and Kauri Point. He then went into business for himself in association with Dr Lee and others at Smale's Point, preparing timber for Sydney, California and China. They had 500 acres at Lucas Creek, and Kelly owned 10 bullock teams. Having married a widow (Mrs Fairs, who died 1885) he sold out and took up a freehold of 2,000 acres at Wade (1848), where he built a hotel and operated a sawmill and a carrying business. He took part in many provincial elections and was in the Provincial Council for Northern Division (1859-61). He died on 24 Jun 1888.

N.Z. Herald, 24 Mar 1888 (p).

Reference: Volume 1, page 244

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