The Hon. Charles R. Blakiston was called to a seat in the Legislative Council by the Stafford Ministry in 1857, and sat as a member until 1862, when he resigned. He was a Provincial Councillor, and held office in the Provincial Government during Mr. Moorhouse's second term of office. He was also a member, and for several years chairman, of the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society. Mr. Blakiston was a highly respected colonist, and was for many years well known as the manager, in Christchurch, of the Trust and Agency Company of Australasia, Ltd. He died in Christchurch in 1898.