Mr and Mrs J. E. Story, first Mayor and Mayoress of Taupo, photographed recently at their home. Mr Story has been a resident of Taupo for some twenty-seven years, and has taken a prominent part in public affairs. He has been a member of the Taupo Town Board for four terms, and has been its Chairman in the term now ending, His return unopposed as first Mayor of the Borough of Taupo indicates general recognition of his past work for Taupo. Mrs Story is a member of one of Taupo's pioneer families. Her father, the late Mr Joseph Rickit came to New Zealand from England as a young man, and joined the Armed Constabulary. After a period at Mt. Cook Barracks, Wellington, he was posted to the Armed Constabulary post at Taupo. Later, Mr Rickit engaged in the store-keeping business, bringing his goods regularly by bullock-waggon from Tauranga to Taupo over the Oropi Range. Mr Rickit married Taima Te Ngahue, great-great-grand-daughter of Te Ngahue Tawhanga, a leading chief of the Tuhourangi) tribe, who was baptised by the Rev. Thomas Chapman at Te Ariki, Lake Tarawera, in 1850 at the age of 80. Sir George Grey, Governor of New Zealand was present at the ceremony.

Taupo Times, Volume II, Issue 93, 30 October 1953, Page 1

Mr and Mrs J. E. Story, first Mayor and Mayoress of Taupo, photographed recently at their home. Mr Story has been a resident of Taupo for some twenty-seven years, and has taken a prominent part in public affairs. He has been a member of the Taupo Town Board for four terms, and has been its Chairman in the term now ending, His return unopposed as first Mayor of the Borough of Taupo indicates general recognition of his past work for Taupo. Mrs Story is a member of one of Taupo's pioneer families. Her father, the late Mr Joseph Rickit came to New Zealand from England as a young man, and joined the Armed Constabulary. After a period at Mt. Cook Barracks, Wellington, he was posted to the Armed Constabulary post at Taupo. Later, Mr Rickit engaged in the store-keeping business, bringing his goods regularly by bullock-waggon from Tauranga to Taupo over the Oropi Range. Mr Rickit married Taima Te Ngahue, great-great-grand-daughter of Te Ngahue Tawhanga, a leading chief of the Tuhourangi) tribe, who was baptised by the Rev. Thomas Chapman at Te Ariki, Lake Tarawera, in 1850 at the age of 80. Sir George Grey, Governor of New Zealand was present at the ceremony.