Francis Kelly (New Zealand politician)
Francis Kelly | |
|---|---|
| Member of the New Zealand Legislative Council | |
| In office 22 June 1950 – 31 December 1950 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Francis Patrick Kelly 1883 Hastings, New Zealand |
| Died | 25 September 1975 (aged 92) |
| Party | National Party |
Francis Patrick Kelly (1883 – 25 September 1975) was a New Zealand politician. Born in Hastings, he was appointed a member of the suicide squad of the New Zealand Legislative Council in 1950. A solicitor by trade, he first practiced in Wellington and then in Hastings.
Early life
Kelly was born in 1883 in Hastings. His father, John Kelly, was the proprietor of the Hastings Hotel on the corner of Railway Road and Heretaunga Street.[1][2] He received his education at Heretaunga School (then located in Hastings) and Victoria University of Wellington, from where he graduated with a Bachelor of Laws. He represented his university in hockey and running. He won a Plunket Medal (a debating prize from Victoria University) and, alongside Edward John Fitzgibbon, the Joynt Scroll in 1906[3] (a nationwide oratory award for university students).[1][4][5][6]
Kelly was a member of the 1st New Zealand Expeditionary Force.[1]
Professional life
Humphrey O'Leary and Kelly both passed their university examinations in November 1909[7] and, with effect of 1 February 1910, entered into a partnership, calling themselves O'Leary and Kelly.[8][9]
Political career
In the 1913 local elections, Kelly stood as a borough councillor for the Eastbourne Borough (now part of Lower Hutt).[10] Of 12 candidates for 8 positions, he was the highest-polling contestant.[11] He resigned his seat on the borough council in October 1914 as he was about to move back to Hastings.[12] The resulting by-election was won by William Perry.[13][14]
Kelly was on the executive of the National Party since 1936, the year the party was founded. He was later a Dominion councillor for the party.[1] He was appointed as a member of the suicide squad nominated by the First National Government on 22 June 1950 to vote for the abolition of the council. Most of the new members (like Kelly) were appointed on 22 June 1950, and served until 31 December 1950 when the council was abolished.[15]
Private life and death
Kelly kept his interest in sport and held various administrative offices for bowling, gold, and racing.[1] When he was first included in the Who's Who in New Zealand in 1951 after his appointment to the Legislative Council, he was listed as living in Market Street, Hastings.[1] By 1954, he was living in Wellington,[16] and the 1956 and 1961 edition of the Who's Who listed him as living at 9 Clifton Terrace, Wellington, which today is covered by the suburb of Kelburn.[17][18] The 1964, 1968, 1971, and 1978 editions of the Who's Who listed him as living at 700 York Street, Hastings.[19][20][21][22]
Kelly died on 25 September 1975[23] aged 92 and was buried at Hastings Cemetery,[24] where he shares a plot with his father.[25]
References
- ^ a b c d e f Scholefield, Guy (1951). Who's Who in New Zealand, 1951 (5th ed.). Wellington: A.H. & A.W. Reed. p. 129.
- ^ "Hastings Hotel – J Kelly Proprietor". Hastings District Libraries. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
- ^ "The tournament debate". The Press. Vol. LXIII, no. 12479. 16 April 1906. p. 8. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
- ^ "Hall of Fame". Vic Debsoc. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
- ^ "Personal items". The Dominion. Vol. 9, no. 2731. 28 March 1916. p. 5. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
- ^ "Death". The New Zealand Times. Vol. XLI, no. 9309. 28 March 1916. p. 4. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
- ^ "New Zealand University". The Evening Post. Vol. LXXIX, no. 43. 21 February 1910. p. 8. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
- ^ "Personalia". The New Zealand Times. Vol. XXXII, no. 7033. 22 January 1910. p. 5. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
- ^ "Untitled". The Evening Post. Vol. LXXIX, no. 29. 4 February 1910. p. 6. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
- ^ "Suburban elections". The Dominion. Vol. 6, no. 1737. 30 April 1913. p. 8. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
- ^ "Suburban results". The Evening Post. Vol. LXXXV, no. 102. 1 May 1913. p. 3. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
- ^ "Personal matters". The Evening Post. Vol. LXXXVIII. 9 October 1914. p. 6. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
- ^ "Eastbourne election". The Dominion. Vol. 8, no. 2294. 30 October 1914. p. 6. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
- ^ "The Upper House". Hawera Star. Vol. LIV. 23 June 1934. p. 5. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
- ^ Wilson, J.O. (1985) [1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Government Printer. p. 156.
- ^ "General News". The Press. Vol. XC, no. 27391. 2 July 1954. p. 10. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
- ^ Simpson, Frank Alexander (1956). Who's Who in New Zealand, 1956 (6th ed.). Wellington: A.H. & A.W. Reed. p. 134.
- ^ Petersen, George Conrad (1961). Who's Who in New Zealand, 1961 (7th ed.). Wellington: A.H. & A.W. Reed. p. 175.
- ^ Petersen, George Conrad (1964). Who's Who in New Zealand, 1964 (8th ed.). Wellington: A.H. & A.W. Reed. p. 175.
- ^ Petersen, George Conrad (1968). Who's Who in New Zealand, 1968 (9th ed.). Wellington: A.H. & A.W. Reed. p. 199.
- ^ Petersen, George Conrad (1971). Who's Who in New Zealand, 1971 (10th ed.). Wellington: A.H. & A.W. Reed. p. 202.
- ^ Traue, James Edward, ed. (1978). Who's Who in New Zealand, 1978 (11th ed.). Wellington: Reed Publishing. p. 160.
- ^ "Kelly, Francis Patrick". Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune. 26 September 1975. p. 14.
- ^ "Francis Patrick Kelly". Hastings District Council. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
- ^ "John Kelly". Hastings District Council. Retrieved 13 November 2025.