Sir Robert to try again

Press, 2 April 1980, Page 6

Sir Robert to try again

The most durable councillor in the - history of; Christchurch, Sir. Robert Macfarlane,’ has decided to stand for another three-year term on the City Council. Sir Robert, who will be 79 when the local-body elections are held later this year, has put his name forward as a Labour Party candidate for the South Ward.. However, he said last evening that age should not be emphasised. Sir George Manning had been 81 — and was still Mayor — when he retired, and Mr W. P. Glue had been over 80 when elected to his final council term. Sir Robert has been a local-body leader for 38 years longer than any. past local councillor. He was the youngest Mayor of Christchurch, and was Mayor for 11 years. He emphasised that Sir George had been 71 when he was elected '■ Mayor, and served 10 years in the oqst. "There are still a lot of matters that need consideration,” Sir Robert said, when talking of his decision. One reason behind his nomination was the candidacy of another South Ward coun-

cillor, Cr Mollie Clark, for the Mayoralty. If he dropped out of the ward race, that would leave Labour with only one sitting member in the ward. His health was good, aside from an ankle injury a few years ago which gave him

some trouble with walking. But it did not interfere with his ability' to work. His attendance at meetings and his work schedule would compare with anyone’s. This term, Sir Robert has been chairman of the health and general committee, after giving up the leadership of !the Labour team to Cr Clark, He would not consider assuming the leadership again, and whether he would take a committee chairmanship depended on circumstances, he said. The. Labour Party will select candidates fcfr four of the city’s five wards .this month, the West Ward selection being in May. In ,the other wards, 24 names have been put_ forward for 16 seats. Three persons will have their names considered in more than one ward.

In the South Ward, one familiar face will be that of Mr Alex Clark, 'the Labour Mayo'ral candidate in the 1977 local-body elections. Mr J. F. Davidson, a Drainage Board member, is also being considered.