page_title: Aaron Ayers
section_title: Professional life
hierarchical_section_title: Aaron Ayers / Professional life
caption_attribution_description: English: Ayers, Beauchamp &amp; Compy, 190 Cashel Street, Christchurch. This firm of general auctioneers was established in 1860. Land sales were held here and there were weekly sales of livestock. Live stock yards and stables, also poultry pens, were at the rear of this building. Fruit auctions were held almost daily in the season. Aaron Ayers (1836-1900) was the Mayor of Christchurch 1885-1887.
context_page_description: Aaron Ayers arrived in Christchurch, New Zealand from England as a newly married man in his mid 20s. He was a hairdresser and tobacconist for two decades before entering the auctioneering business. He was elected Mayor of Christchurch in 1885 unopposed, and was re-elected a year later in the most keenly contested mayoral election thus far, narrowly beating Charles Louisson. He retired after his second term as mayor. In 1887 he contested a 1887 by-election for Heathcote and the 1887 election for Christchurch South, but came second on both occasions. After his mayoralty, he lived mostly a private life and was known as an avid gardener.
context_section_description: For his first 20 years in Christchurch, Ayers was a hairdresser and tobacconist. In 1880, he changed profession and became an auctioneer. His firm, Ayers, Beauchamp & Company, was based at 190 Cashel Street (just east of Manchester Street) and auctioned land, livestock, fruit and general goods.
caption: Ayers, Beauchamp & Co auction building in Cashel Street
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