KIDD, ALFRED (1851-1917) was born at Hounslow Heath. He arrived in Auckland at the age of 13, and after working on a farm at Mangere for three years he settled at Thames for seven years. He then became providore to the Waikato Steam Navigation Co. In 1875 he moved to Auckland, and became landlord of the Commercial Hotel, which he ran for 20 years. He was president of the licensed victuallers' association.

Kidd served on the City Council (1885-88 and from 1891) and was mayor of Auckland in 1901. He was a governor of the Auckland Grammar School, chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board and the Aka Aka Drainage Board and a trustee of the Auckland Savings Bank. He was one of the founders of the Druids order in Auckland, of the Masonic Grand Lodge of New Zealand and the United Friendly Societies' Dispensary. He was in Parliament for City of Auckland (1902-05) and for Auckland Central (1905-08), and acted as senior Government whip under the Seddon and Ward administrations. He was president of the Auckland Racing Club and owned several successful horses (notably St Hippo). Kidd died on 25 Aug 1917.

N.Z.P.D., 29 Aug 1917; Cycl. N.Z., ii (p); Who's Who N.Z., 1908; N.Z. Herald, 27 Aug 1917. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 1, page 249

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