FROM AN OLD ALBUM.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18805, 6 July 1929, Page 23 (Supplement)

FROM AN OLD ALBUM.

John George Ruddenklau was a member of the first City Council in 1868, and was again elected in 1877. He was Mayor of Christchurch in 1882 and 1883. He was born at Hesse Cassel, Germany, in 1829, and was brought up to the bakery business. In 1851 he went to London, where he followed his trade till his departure for New Zealand in 1857. In that year he landed at Lyttelton and followed his trade for some time in Christchurch in a very small lean-to on the Triangle, facing High Street. This was also his dwelling for some time. This building stood on high wooden piles, for at that time there was a deep gully running through

the Triangle, and most of the ground was very low. However, in time his business grew to larger proportions, which necessitated large additions to his lean-to, and it became quite a large shop for that time. Then again by about 1861 he had considerably increased the size of his buildings, for which he obtained a “wine and beer” license. This building he called “The City Wine Vaults.” This was the beginning of the City Hotel. Mr Ruddenklau afterwards became a licensed victualler, and was well known in that capacity as the proprietor of the City Hotel. His name was also connected with other commercial undertakings, one of which was, I believe, a flour mill on the Lincoln Road just about opposite where is now the Addington Post Office. And so he continued until 1890, when, on account of failing health, he visited England. Mr Ruddenklau died in 1891, seven months after his return to New Zealand. R. E. GREEN.