LEWIS, CHARLES (1857-1927) was born at Christchurch, the son of David Lewis, of Halswell. He was educated at Christ's College (1869-73) and then at Clifton and Malvern Colleges, in England. Returning to Canterbury in 1875, he became a cadet under Duncan Cameron, of Methven, and afterwards began farming at Brookside, Ellesmere. He was a member of the Halswell road board.

In 1896 Lewis contested as a Conservative the Christchurch seat, rendered vacant by the resignation of W. P. Reeves, and defeated two opponents. (Lewis, Conservative, 4,714; T. E. Taylor, prohibitionist, 4,204; R. M. Taylor, Liberal, 3,196). He was at the top of the poll at the following election, and represented Christchurch till 1901, when he resigned as a protest against the apathy of his supporters. In 1902 he won the Courtenay seat, which he represented till 1908. He was Conservative whip for some time. Lewis was chairman of the Canterbury College Council (1904-07) but did not take much part otherwise in public life. He was an expert breeder of Shropshire Down sheep, with which he won many prizes and he was interested in cricket and rifle shooting. In 1911 he moved to Hawke's Bay, and engaged in sheep farming at Makaretu. There he died on 28 Nov 1927.

N.Z.P.D., 3 Jul 1928; Cycl. N.Z., iii; Hight and Candy; Who's Who N.Z., 1908, 1924; The Press, 29 Nov 1927. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 1, page 265

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