Allely, Thomas, 1836-1930 (Person)

Born at Newbliss, Monaghan, Ireland, he died aged 94 at his Tauranga residence 'Newbliss' on Cameron Road in 1930.

Immigration: 1859 to Fremantle, Australia. 1873 returned to Ireland. 1874 to Tauranga. Originally intending to be part of the Katikati settlement, he settled with his family in Tauranga.

Employment:  Australian Mounted Police. In Tauranga: building and road formation.

As a carpenter his buildings included Twickenham, a cottage on Cameron Road near the Domain Hotel, and the first Te Puke Hotel.

Public service: Two terms on the Tauranga Borough Council between 1891 and 1893.

Community: Member of the Church of England Vestry for 20 years. Member of the Tauranga School Committee for over 42 years.

He is thought to have started the story about the "Aspen Tree" on the corner of Willow and McLean Street growing from an abandoned riding crop (see Bay of Plenty Times, 13 Jan 1930, p. 2).