The by-election was triggered by the resignation of conservative politician Charles Lewis and won by George John Smith.
[6] The prime minister, Richard Seddon, moved in the House of Representatives on 3 July that the speaker issue writs for the Christchurch and Patea by-elections.
[15] In June 1901, the Trades and Labour Council decided to ask its 5,000 members in Christchurch to choose between Charles Taylor, W. Newton, and G. Fisher by ballot.
[13] A large meeting was held on 18 June where Smith announced that he would not stand, and Taylor was asked by unanimous resolution to become a candidate.
[9] Smith accepted to become a candidate at a meeting held on 27 June in the hall of the Trinity Church, with James Arthur Flesher as the chairman of his election committee.
[20] The first election meeting was held by Taylor on 3 July, who spoke at the Canterbury Hall under the chairmanship of the Mayor of Christchurch, Arthur Rhodes.
[22] A total of 23 public meetings were held by the three candidates, as per the table below: There was little political difference between Turnbull and Smith, as both were independent Liberals with fairly similar views.
Their only real point of difference was that Smith was a prohibitionist (although much more moderate than Tommy Taylor), whilst Turnbull was in favour of temperance.