Charles Morison

Charles Bruce Morison (1861 – 6 January 1920), known by his first name and referred to as C. B. Morison in contemporary sources, was a New Zealand barrister and politician. He stood in two elections around the turn of the century in the Otaki electorate and was later active with the Reform Party.

Early life and political ambitions Morison was born in 1861 in Elgin, Scotland. His family emigrated to New Zealand when he was a boy. He received his education at Nelson College.

Morison twice contested the electorate for conservative interests. In the 6 December , he was defeated by the incumbent, Henry Augustus Field. Upon Field's death within days of the election, he contested the resulting by-election on 6 January and was beaten by Field's brother William. In later years, Morison was one of the principal organisers of the Reform Party in Wellington.

Legal career Morison received his legal apprenticeship with Arthur Rigby Bunny, the second son of Henry Bunny. In 1896, they took over the practice of Worley Edwards upon his appointment to the Supreme Court. Loughnan left the firm to become the city solicitor for Palmerston North and was replaced by his brother F. O. B. Loughnan. That partnership lasted until 1904, and for the following two years, Morison practised on his own. In 1906, he took G. McLean as a partner, and upon his partner's death in 1908, W. S. Smith joined him.

Morison was appointed a King's Counsel in November 1912. He specialised in company law and Māori land issues. They had two sons and two daughters. His wife died in April 1939 in Wellington. Charles and Caroline Annie Morison are buried at Karori Cemetery.