Charles Louisson
Encyclopedia
Charles Melville Louisson (1842 – 19 April 1924), known as Charles Louisson or Chas Louisson, was a New Zealand politician. Born in London, and relocated to Australia
as a teenager, he worked in farming and on the gold fields. He moved to Christchurch
to join his brother Alfred in business, which they conducted in transport, as merchants and farmers in various places in the South Island
. Back in Christchurch, they were joined by their brother Cecil and bought a brewery, which under their stewardship became very successful.
With financial security behind him, Louisson first became a councillor for Christchurch City Council
for six years (1881–1887) before being elected Mayor of Christchurch
(1887–1889 and 1897–1899). In all of his two elections as councillor, and four elections as mayor, he was returned unopposed. Subsequently to his retirement from the mayoralty, he was appointed to the Legislative Council
(1900–1924). He held other public offices, for example as Freemason and as a trustee of a benevolent trust. For the last 18 years of his life, he was the president of the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club (NZMTC) in Christchurch. He helped secure the site of the Addington Raceway
and was responsible for greatly extending the area.
. At age 14, he arrived in Melbourne
and had experience of station life in the country such as stock-riding and horse-breaking. He subsequently went gold mining at Ballarat and other places. He arrived in Canterbury in 1865 to join his brother Alfred, and they had a business for the short time to carry goods over the Port Hills
(this was just prior to the opening of the Lyttelton Rail Tunnel
). The brothers moved to Hokitika, where they worked as general merchants. Charles Louisson was associated with the Volunteers
, as sergeant major
of the Westland Light Horse. Louisson then moved to Marlborough for sheep farming, but the business was not lucrative. The brothers then moved to Southbridge
and had a small farm there.
, is still a brewery these days (the Canterbury Brewery), but has been closed since the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake
and will be demolished. Louisson and his brother also owned a drapery and outfitting business, with branches in towns throughout New Zealand.
With Alexander Fergusson of the National Bank, he was a co-trustee of the Marks Benevolent Fund (these days called the Hyman Marks Trust), which supplied the main portion of the cost incurred in the erection of the Marks Ward at the Christchurch Hospital
, amounting to £10,000. The foundation stone for the ward was laid by Fergusson and Louisson on 10 September 1896. The Marks Ward is today known as wards six and seven at Christchurch Hospital.
As a Freemason, Louisson held office for many years as District Grand Master for Canterbury under the Scottish Constitution. Louisson was the first president of the Christchurch Beautifying Association. He held leading positions in the Jewish
congregation in Christchurch, e.g. treasurer.
Louisson married Hannah Harris on 3 July 1878, the second daughter of Maurice Harris, JP
, of Christchurch. Louisson had known Maurice Harris for many years, as Harris also held leading positions at the synagogue, e.g. president of the Jewish congregation. The wedding was held at the Synagoge in Gloucester Street. They had two sons (Maurice George, born 26 May 1879; Cecil, born 3 June 1880) and two daughters (one of them born on 1 December 1881). The Louissons lived at 214 Gloucester Street for some years, and had at another time a house in Colombo Street
designed by Joseph Madison, one of Christchurch's leading architects.
(CCC), in which he served for six years, and was mayor from 1887 to 1889, and again from 1897 to 1899.
He first stood as a councillor for CCC in 1881 in the South-west Ward. The other candidate, James Tait, formally withdrew from the election on 5 September, and Louisson was thus declared elected unopposed. Back then, each ward was represented by three councillors, and one of the councillors retired per year. Louisson was thus due to retire in 1884. On 4 September of that year, Louisson was the only candidate nominated in the South-west Ward, and he was thus declared elected. He retired at the end of the term in September 1887 and did not stand for re-election.
He first stood for the mayoralty in 1886, after a public request made by the other eleven councillors (including Samuel Manning, Samuel Paull Andrews
, William Prudhoe and Charles Mathew Gray), nine ex mayors (John Ollivier
, Henry Sawtell, Frededick Hobbs, Henry Thomson, William Wilson
, Charles Hulbert, James Gapes, John Anderson
and George Ruddenklau) and 13 ex councillors (including Daniel Reese
). It was the most keenly contested mayoral election thus far, and Louisson was narrowly beaten by the incumbent, Aaron Ayers, with 636 to 631 votes. Ayers retired at the end of his mayoralty a year later, and Louisson decided to stand again. Eden George
, who had just contested the Christchurch South
electorate in the September 1887 general election
(coming fourth against Westby Brook Perceval
) was requested by 227 ratepayers to contest the mayoralty. He declined by basically stating that Louisson was the stronger candidate. On election day (21 November 1887), Louisson was the only candidate and he was thus declared mayor elect. Louisson took the mayoral chair on 21 December 1887. At the end of the term, Louisson planned to retire, as he believed that the mayoralty should change every year. He was, however, prepared to make himself available if no other suitable person would contest the mayoralty. In the end, nobody else came forward and on 21 November 1888, Louisson was declared re-elected as the only contender. Louisson retired at the end of his second year, and Samuel Manning, as the only contender, was declared mayor elect on 21 November 1889 and installed in December 1889.
Louisson was again asked to stand for mayor in September 1897. He was elected unopposed on 16 November and installed on 15 December. Louisson was again approached by a delegation towards the end of his third term as mayor, urging him to stand again. Whilst he had wanted some other leading citizen to take on the role as mayor, he acceded to the request and his name was put forward. For a fourth time, Louisson was elected unopposed on 21 November 1898. Louisson was succeeded by William Reece, who was elected unopposed on 20 November 1899 and installed as mayor on 20 December 1899.
During his first mayoralty, Louisson acted as one of the Commissioners for New Zealand at the Melbourne International Exhibition. He was afterwards a member of the Charitable Aid Board and the North Canterbury Hospital Board, and official visitor of the Deaf and Dumb Institution at Sumner, and deputy inspector of the Sunnyside Lunatic Asylum
. Louisson's services as mayor were recognised on two occasions by the citizens of Christchurch, who presented him in 1889 with a fine silver epergne, and again in 1899, on his retirement from the mayoralty, with an address and a silver tea service, and on each occasion the mayoress was presented with a diamond bracelet and star.
He was called to the Legislative Council on 22 December 1900. Since the Legislative Council Act 1891 had been in force, appointments were for seven year terms. His first term ended on 21 December 1907, and he was reappointed on 14 January 1908. His second term ended on 13 January 1915, and he was reappointed over three years later on 7 May 1918. He served his third term until his death.
, and Louisson helped to obtain land in Addington
, where Addington Raceway
has been since 1899. The grounds were enlarged during his presidency. The Louisson Handicap was an annual race that was held for many years. Louisson donated the trophy for the New Zealand Trotting Cup
, which he had manufactured in England. These days, the New Zealand Trotting Cup is considered Canterbury's biggest day on its social calendar.
, died on 19 April 1924. He was buried at Linwood Cemetery
two days later. His wife died on 18 November 1928 at home and was buried two days later in the grave next to him. The Louissons were survived by their four children.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
as a teenager, he worked in farming and on the gold fields. He moved to Christchurch
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
to join his brother Alfred in business, which they conducted in transport, as merchants and farmers in various places in the South Island
South Island
The South Island is the larger of the two major islands of New Zealand, the other being the more populous North Island. It is bordered to the north by Cook Strait, to the west by the Tasman Sea, to the south and east by the Pacific Ocean...
. Back in Christchurch, they were joined by their brother Cecil and bought a brewery, which under their stewardship became very successful.
With financial security behind him, Louisson first became a councillor for Christchurch City Council
Christchurch City Council
The Christchurch City Council is the local government authority for Christchurch in New Zealand. It is a territorial authority elected to represent the people of Christchurch. Since 2007, the Mayor of Christchurch is Bob Parker, who stood as an independent candidate...
for six years (1881–1887) before being elected Mayor of Christchurch
Mayor of Christchurch
The Mayor of Christchurch is the head of the municipal government of Christchurch, New Zealand, and presides over the Christchurch City Council. The mayor is directly elected using a First Past the Post electoral system...
(1887–1889 and 1897–1899). In all of his two elections as councillor, and four elections as mayor, he was returned unopposed. Subsequently to his retirement from the mayoralty, he was appointed to the Legislative Council
New Zealand Legislative Council
The Legislative Council of New Zealand was the upper house of the New Zealand Parliament from 1853 until 1951. Unlike the lower house, the New Zealand House of Representatives, the Legislative Council was appointed.-Role:...
(1900–1924). He held other public offices, for example as Freemason and as a trustee of a benevolent trust. For the last 18 years of his life, he was the president of the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club (NZMTC) in Christchurch. He helped secure the site of the Addington Raceway
Addington Raceway
Addington Raceway or The Met is the home of the Metropolitan Trotting Club in Addington, Christchurch in New Zealand. The venue consists of a trotting track, a greyhound track conference centre and restaurants...
and was responsible for greatly extending the area.
Early life
Louisson was born in 1842 in London and educated at GravesendGravesend, Kent
Gravesend is a town in northwest Kent, England, on the south bank of the Thames, opposite Tilbury in Essex. It is the administrative town of the Borough of Gravesham and, because of its geographical position, has always had an important role to play in the history and communications of this part of...
. At age 14, he arrived in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
and had experience of station life in the country such as stock-riding and horse-breaking. He subsequently went gold mining at Ballarat and other places. He arrived in Canterbury in 1865 to join his brother Alfred, and they had a business for the short time to carry goods over the Port Hills
Port Hills
The Port Hills form the northern rim of the ancient Lyttelton volcano, separating the port of Lyttelton from the city of Christchurch in Canterbury, New Zealand...
(this was just prior to the opening of the Lyttelton Rail Tunnel
Lyttelton rail tunnel
The Lyttelton Rail Tunnel, initially called the Moorhouse Tunnel, links the city of Christchurch with the port of Lyttelton in the Canterbury region of New Zealand’s South Island. It is the country’s oldest operational rail tunnel, and is on one of the first railway lines in the district...
). The brothers moved to Hokitika, where they worked as general merchants. Charles Louisson was associated with the Volunteers
Military volunteer
A military volunteer is a person who enlists in military service by free will, and is not a mercenary or a foreign legionaire. Volunteers often enlist to fight in the armed forces of a foreign country. Military volunteers are essential for the operation of volunteer militaries.Many armies,...
, as sergeant major
Sergeant Major
Sergeants major is a senior non-commissioned rank or appointment in many militaries around the world. In Commonwealth countries, Sergeants Major are usually appointments held by senior non-commissioned officers or warrant officers...
of the Westland Light Horse. Louisson then moved to Marlborough for sheep farming, but the business was not lucrative. The brothers then moved to Southbridge
Southbridge, New Zealand
Southbridge is a small town with a population of 720 and approximately 260 houses, on the Canterbury Plains in the South Island of New Zealand. It is located southwest of Christchurch, between Leeston, Dunsandel and the Rakaia River...
and had a small farm there.
Life in Christchurch
Alfred and Charles Louisson returned to Christchurch in 1871 and they were joined by their brother Cecil. In 1871 or 1876(sources differ), the brothers first purchased a majority shareholding in the Crown Brewery Company and eventually obtained the remaining shares, with Alfred being the most shrewd business person of the trio. The site, on the corner of Antigua and St Asaph Streets in the Christchurch Central CityChristchurch Central City
Christchurch Central City is the geographical centre and the heart of Christchurch, New Zealand. It is defined as the area within the four avenues and thus includes the densely built up central city, some less dense surrounding areas of residential, educational and industrial usage, and green...
, is still a brewery these days (the Canterbury Brewery), but has been closed since the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake
2011 Christchurch earthquake
The February 2011 Christchurch earthquake was a magnitude 6.3 earthquake that struck the Canterbury region in New Zealand's South Island at on local time , The earthquake was centred west of the town of Lyttelton, and south-east of the centre of Christchurch, New Zealand's second-most populous...
and will be demolished. Louisson and his brother also owned a drapery and outfitting business, with branches in towns throughout New Zealand.
With Alexander Fergusson of the National Bank, he was a co-trustee of the Marks Benevolent Fund (these days called the Hyman Marks Trust), which supplied the main portion of the cost incurred in the erection of the Marks Ward at the Christchurch Hospital
Christchurch Hospital
Christchurch Hospital is the largest tertiary hospital in the South Island of New Zealand. The public hospital is in the centre of Christchurch city, on the edge of Hagley Park, and serves the wider Canterbury Region. It has the busiest emergency department in Australasia, and is one of four main...
, amounting to £10,000. The foundation stone for the ward was laid by Fergusson and Louisson on 10 September 1896. The Marks Ward is today known as wards six and seven at Christchurch Hospital.
As a Freemason, Louisson held office for many years as District Grand Master for Canterbury under the Scottish Constitution. Louisson was the first president of the Christchurch Beautifying Association. He held leading positions in the Jewish
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
congregation in Christchurch, e.g. treasurer.
Louisson married Hannah Harris on 3 July 1878, the second daughter of Maurice Harris, JP
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
, of Christchurch. Louisson had known Maurice Harris for many years, as Harris also held leading positions at the synagogue, e.g. president of the Jewish congregation. The wedding was held at the Synagoge in Gloucester Street. They had two sons (Maurice George, born 26 May 1879; Cecil, born 3 June 1880) and two daughters (one of them born on 1 December 1881). The Louissons lived at 214 Gloucester Street for some years, and had at another time a house in Colombo Street
Colombo Street
Colombo Street is a main road of the city of Christchurch, New Zealand. It runs south-north through the centre of Christchurch with a break at Cathedral Square. As with many other central Christchurch streets, it is named for a colonial Anglican bishopric, Colombo, in what at the time was known as...
designed by Joseph Madison, one of Christchurch's leading architects.
Political career
Louisson entered into local politics as a member of the Christchurch City CouncilChristchurch City Council
The Christchurch City Council is the local government authority for Christchurch in New Zealand. It is a territorial authority elected to represent the people of Christchurch. Since 2007, the Mayor of Christchurch is Bob Parker, who stood as an independent candidate...
(CCC), in which he served for six years, and was mayor from 1887 to 1889, and again from 1897 to 1899.
He first stood as a councillor for CCC in 1881 in the South-west Ward. The other candidate, James Tait, formally withdrew from the election on 5 September, and Louisson was thus declared elected unopposed. Back then, each ward was represented by three councillors, and one of the councillors retired per year. Louisson was thus due to retire in 1884. On 4 September of that year, Louisson was the only candidate nominated in the South-west Ward, and he was thus declared elected. He retired at the end of the term in September 1887 and did not stand for re-election.
He first stood for the mayoralty in 1886, after a public request made by the other eleven councillors (including Samuel Manning, Samuel Paull Andrews
Samuel Paull Andrews
Samuel Paull Andrews was a 19th century politician in Christchurch, New Zealand. Originally from the Isle of Wight, he was the first working class man to become a Member of Parliament in his chosen country.-Early life:...
, William Prudhoe and Charles Mathew Gray), nine ex mayors (John Ollivier
John Ollivier
John Ollivier was a 19th century Member of Parliament in Christchurch, New Zealand.He represented the Christchurch Country electorate from 1856 to 1860 when he resigned.-References:...
, Henry Sawtell, Frededick Hobbs, Henry Thomson, William Wilson
William Wilson (mayor)
William Barbour Wilson , also known as "Cabbage" Wilson, was the first Mayor of Christchurch in New Zealand in 1868.-Early life:...
, Charles Hulbert, James Gapes, John Anderson
John Anderson (mayor)
John Anderson was the second Mayor of Christchurch in New Zealand 1868–1869, and a successful businessman. He had a close connection with three buildings that have later received Category I heritage registrations by the...
and George Ruddenklau) and 13 ex councillors (including Daniel Reese
Daniel Reese (politician)
Daniel Reese was a 19th century Member of Parliament from Christchurch, New Zealand. He represented the Stanmore electorate from 1884 when he defeated Walter Pilliet, but was defeated in 1887....
). It was the most keenly contested mayoral election thus far, and Louisson was narrowly beaten by the incumbent, Aaron Ayers, with 636 to 631 votes. Ayers retired at the end of his mayoralty a year later, and Louisson decided to stand again. Eden George
Eden George
Eden George was an Australian and New Zealand politician.Born in Forbes to photographer William Rufus George and Bettina Holme, he attended Sydney Grammar School before becoming a photographer in New Zealand, settling in Christchurch, of which he was mayor in 1893. He married Ada Jane Butler on 31...
, who had just contested the Christchurch South
Christchurch South
Christchurch South was a parliamentary electorate in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand from 1881 to 1890 and then from 1905 to 1946.-History:The electorate was represented by five Members of Parliament....
electorate in the September 1887 general election
New Zealand general election, 1887
The New Zealand general election of 1887 was held on 26 September to elect 95 MPs to the tenth session of the New Zealand Parliament. The Māori vote was held on 7 September. 175,410 votes were cast....
(coming fourth against Westby Brook Perceval
Westby Brook Perceval
Sir Westby Brook Perceval was a New Zealand politician of the Liberal Party.-Biography:Perceval was born in Launceston, Tasmania, and educated at Christ's College, and at Stonyhurst College in England. He married Jessie Johnston in 1880...
) was requested by 227 ratepayers to contest the mayoralty. He declined by basically stating that Louisson was the stronger candidate. On election day (21 November 1887), Louisson was the only candidate and he was thus declared mayor elect. Louisson took the mayoral chair on 21 December 1887. At the end of the term, Louisson planned to retire, as he believed that the mayoralty should change every year. He was, however, prepared to make himself available if no other suitable person would contest the mayoralty. In the end, nobody else came forward and on 21 November 1888, Louisson was declared re-elected as the only contender. Louisson retired at the end of his second year, and Samuel Manning, as the only contender, was declared mayor elect on 21 November 1889 and installed in December 1889.
Louisson was again asked to stand for mayor in September 1897. He was elected unopposed on 16 November and installed on 15 December. Louisson was again approached by a delegation towards the end of his third term as mayor, urging him to stand again. Whilst he had wanted some other leading citizen to take on the role as mayor, he acceded to the request and his name was put forward. For a fourth time, Louisson was elected unopposed on 21 November 1898. Louisson was succeeded by William Reece, who was elected unopposed on 20 November 1899 and installed as mayor on 20 December 1899.
During his first mayoralty, Louisson acted as one of the Commissioners for New Zealand at the Melbourne International Exhibition. He was afterwards a member of the Charitable Aid Board and the North Canterbury Hospital Board, and official visitor of the Deaf and Dumb Institution at Sumner, and deputy inspector of the Sunnyside Lunatic Asylum
Sunnyside Hospital
Sunnyside Hospital was the first mental asylum to be built in Christchurch, New Zealand. It was initially known as Sunnyside Lunatic Asylum, and its first patients were 17 people who had previously been kept in the Lyttelton gaol...
. Louisson's services as mayor were recognised on two occasions by the citizens of Christchurch, who presented him in 1889 with a fine silver epergne, and again in 1899, on his retirement from the mayoralty, with an address and a silver tea service, and on each occasion the mayoress was presented with a diamond bracelet and star.
He was called to the Legislative Council on 22 December 1900. Since the Legislative Council Act 1891 had been in force, appointments were for seven year terms. His first term ended on 21 December 1907, and he was reappointed on 14 January 1908. His second term ended on 13 January 1915, and he was reappointed over three years later on 7 May 1918. He served his third term until his death.
Horse racing
He was a member of the Canterbury Jockey Club and a steward of the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club (NZMTC) in Christchurch. From 1906 until his death in 1924, he was the president of the NZMTC. The trotting club used to be based at Lancaster Park in WalthamWaltham, New Zealand
Waltham is an inner suburb of Christchurch, New Zealand, located two kilometres southeast of the city centre. State Highway 73, part of Christchurch's ring road system, runs through the suburb, as does the Heathcote River and the Christchurch - Lyttelton rail corridor. The Christchurch gasworks was...
, and Louisson helped to obtain land in Addington
Addington, New Zealand
Addington is a major suburb of Christchurch, New Zealand. It is sited south-west of the city centre.-Description:The suburb was named for the country residence of Bishop John Sumner, one of the leading members of the Canterbury Association....
, where Addington Raceway
Addington Raceway
Addington Raceway or The Met is the home of the Metropolitan Trotting Club in Addington, Christchurch in New Zealand. The venue consists of a trotting track, a greyhound track conference centre and restaurants...
has been since 1899. The grounds were enlarged during his presidency. The Louisson Handicap was an annual race that was held for many years. Louisson donated the trophy for the New Zealand Trotting Cup
New Zealand Trotting Cup
The New Zealand Trotting Cup or New Zealand Cup is a Group One harness race held annually by the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club at Addington Raceway in Christchurch, New Zealand. It is considered the country's most prestigious harness racing event. the prize was NZ$750,000, the largest prize for a...
, which he had manufactured in England. These days, the New Zealand Trotting Cup is considered Canterbury's biggest day on its social calendar.
Death
Louisson, who towards the end of his life was living in Heaton Street in the suburb of StrowanStrowan
Strowan is a suburb of Christchurch, New Zealand.It is located between the suburbs of Merivale , Papanui , Bryndwr , Fendalton , and St Albans . The area is predominantly residential, containing mostly parks and schools and few retail or commercial buildings. A school in the area is St. Andrew's...
, died on 19 April 1924. He was buried at Linwood Cemetery
Linwood Cemetery, Christchurch
Linwood Cemetery is a cemetery located in Linwood, Christchurch, New Zealand. It is the fifth oldest cemetery in the city that still exists and it is virtually full. Opened in 1884, it has seen some 20,000 burials. The first burial, of the Sexton's wife, was held even before the cemetery was...
two days later. His wife died on 18 November 1928 at home and was buried two days later in the grave next to him. The Louissons were survived by their four children.