Claim: The Christchurch mayoral election of 1881 was an election held on November 30th, 1881 with two candidates both from Independent parties; German-born baker, hotel proprietor and businessman George Ruddenklau who won by 51.25% votes against businessman Charles Benjamin Taylor "s 48.75%.
Evidence: The Christchurch mayoral election held on 30 November 1881 was contested by German-born baker, hotel proprietor and businessman George Ruddenklau, and businessman Charles Taylor. Independent George Ruddenklau John George Ruddenklau was born in 1829 in Hesse, Germany. He at first worked in his profession as a baker but then set up the City Hotel. 51.25 Independent Charles Benjamin Taylor 48.75 Charles Benjamin Taylor was born in 1824 in Nova Scotia. He was a timber merchant, trader, exporter and importer, owned two ships, and was a member of the chamber of commerce.