Introduction
William Douglas Lysnar (30 April 1867 – 12 October 1942), known as Douglas Lysnar, was a New Zealand politician of the Reform Party.
Early life
He was born in Onehunga, Auckland, New Zealand on 30 April 1867. He was educated by his father, who was a school teacher.
Political career
| Parliament of New Zealand | ||||
| Years | Term | Electorate | Party | |
| 1919–1922 | 20th | Gisborne | Reform | |
| 1922–1925 | 21st | Gisborne | Reform | |
| 1925–1928 | 22nd | Gisborne | Reform | |
| 1928–1930 | 23rd | Gisborne | Reform | |
| 1930–1931 | Changed allegiance to: | Independent | ||
Local body politics
From 1908 to 1911, he was Mayor of Gisborne.
Member of Parliament
He represented the Gisborne electorate from 1919 to 1931, when he was defeated.
In the 1928 contest Lysnar stood as an Independent supporter of the Reform Party and was successful. During 1930, he stopped supporting the Reform Party and became fully independent. At the following election in 1931 he ran as an Independent, but was not returned, beaten by Labour's David William Coleman.
In his 1919 campaign, he employed Albert Davy as organiser. Davy went on to be an effective organiser for the Reform Party, though disagreeing over policies.
In 1935, Lysnar was awarded the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal.
Death
Lysnar died on 12 October 1942 in Gisborne, and was buried at Makaraka Cemetery.