17 September 1855(1855-09-17) (aged 31) Motueka, New Zealand
Profession
Solicitor, politician
Alfred Christopher Picard (24 May 1824 – 17 September 1855) was a 19th-century New Zealand politician.
Picard was born in London in 1824. He arrived in New Zealand in 1848 with the Ajax and first settled in Nelson.[1] By 1853, he was living in Riwaka near Motueka, with his profession listed as solicitor.[2] He married Mary Ann Askew on 10 July 1850 and they had two sons; William Alfred and John Thomas.[citation needed]
On 31 July 1855, an additional member was to be elected for the Nelson Provincial Council. Picard was the only candidate and was declared returned unopposed.[8] When the House of Representatives started its third session in early August 1855, James Mackay read a letter from Picard who was asking for a month's leave, but upon protest from Picard's adversary, William Travers, leave was denied.[9] The third parliamentary session was short and parliament, at the time based in Auckland, was dissolved on 15 September 1855 without Picard having attended this session.[5]
On 17 September 1855, Picard died in Motueka from heart failure.[10] He had never taken his seat at the Provincial Council, which would next meet in January 1856.[11] Picard was described as a "man of considerable culture and education and a brilliant speaker."[1]
