NEW MEMBERS.

Press, Volume XLVII, Issue 7731, 10 December 1890, Page 6

NEW MEMBERS.

WILLIAM KELLY (East Coast) Was born in County Loath Ireland in 1840, and is of Irish parentage. He was educated in Ardee, and after having finished his schooling went into mercantile life. In due course he married and came out to Auckland, New Zealand, in 1883. Shortly afterwards he became military contractor both on the East Coast and in Auckland, in which business he was very successful and carried it ou for several years. In 1870 he contested the East Coast, which then included Gisborne, for the General Assembly against Mr James Mackay and Capt. Skeet being returned by a large majority. He was also member of the Provincial Council for the Pensioner Settlements, and afterwards represented Opotiki until the abolition of theprovinces. In 1875 he contested the East Coast with Capt, Marris and Capt, Neil, and was defeated. In 1877 he was returned to the Assembly for i'auranga against Jndge Gill, and in the late general election was again returned for that electorate, defeating Mr A. C. Arthur, of Gisborne. Owing to Mr Kelly's large experience of Native matter*} he was elected Chairman of the Native Affaire Committee, a post which he held for nine years. On the last occasion he declined to be nominated, his Parliamentary duties requiring more attention, aud he was succeeded by Mr Monk, then member for Waitemata.. Mr Kelly has been, about twenty-six years on the East Coast, aud during that time has been connected with local policies and member of various local bodies.