LOUISSON, CHARLES (1842-1924) was born in London, educated at Gravesend, and at the age of 14 emigrated to Victoria, where he worked for some time on sheep and cattle stations and on the goldfields at Ballarat. In 1865 he crossed to New Zealand and joined his brother Alfred in carrying across the Port Hills. They then went into business as general merchants in Hokitika, and after a year or two took up a sheep station in Marlborough. Meeting with no success, they returned to Canterbury and commenced farming at Southbridge, where they were joined by another brother (Cecil). In 1871 they took over the Crown brewery in Christchurch, which they operated with considerable success.

Louisson took an active part in municipal affairs, being for some years from 1881 a member of the City Council and on two occasions (1888-89 and 1898-99) mayor of the City. In 1888 he was one of the New Zealand commissioners at the Melbourne Exhibition. He was also a member of the North Canterbury hospital and charitable aid boards before they amalgamated, deputy-inspector of the mental hospital at Sunnyside, and an official visitor to the school for deaf mutes at Sumner. He was one of the founders of the Jewish congregation at Christchurch, in which he held every office. He was a trustee of the synagogue at the time of his death, having previously been elected a life member in recognition of his services. As a trustee for Hyman Marks, he did important service in connection with one of the largest benefactions in New Zealand, one of its activities being the establishment of the Marks ward at Christchurch hospital. Louisson was a prominent freemason (S.C.) and for some years district grand master for Canterbury. In 1900 he was appointed to the Legislative Council, in which he held a seat (except during 1915-18) until his death on 19 Apr 1924. He took a keen interest in volunteering (having been a sergeant-major in the Westland Light Horse), and he gave prizes for rowing, shooting and other sports. His main interest was trotting. He was a member of the committee of the N.Z. Metropolitan Trotting club from 1893 until 1907, and thereafter president, and a member of the Canterbury Jockey club.

Who's Who N.Z., 1908; N.Z.P.D., 24 Jun, 1 Jul 1924; Wigram; The Press and Lyttelton Times, 21 Apr 1924. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 1, page 269

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