Alexander Shepherd (public servant)
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Alexander Shepherd (c. 1797/98 – 20 July 1859) was the second Colonial Treasurer of New Zealand.
Alexander Shepherd | |
|---|---|
| 2nd Colonial Treasurer | |
| In office 9 May 1842 – 14 June 1854 | |
| Preceded by | George Cooper |
| Succeeded by | Dillon Bell |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1797/98 Aberdeen, Scotland |
| Died | 20 July 1859 Auckland, New Zealand |
Biography
Shepherd was born in Aberdeen. He arrived in Wellington on the New York Packet from London in 1842, where he was delayed by a month before the next vessel went to Auckland, then the seat of the Government.[1]
Shepherd was appointed Colonial Treasurer on 9 May 1842, succeeding George Cooper.[2] He thus became a member of the Executive Council of the Crown Colony, with the role of Colonial Treasurer being the fourth most senior role at the time (after Governor, Colonial Secretary and Attorney-General).[3] When New Zealand gained self-government with the formation of the Fitzgerald Ministry on 14 June 1854, Shepherd's role was disestablished and he was given a government pension.[1][2]
Shepherd's stepdaughter, Jane Augusta Griffith, married Frederick Whitaker at St. Paul's Church in Auckland on 4 March 1843.[4] His second daughter, Cecilia Mary, married Maurice O'Rorke on 31 December 1858.[5]
Shepherd died on 20 July 1859 aged 61 years[6] in Auckland after a short illness.[7]