Hay quits race, citing health

Press, 22 August 1989, Page 1

Hay quits race, citing health

By

KAY FORRESTER

Sir Hamish Hay, Christchurch’s longest-serving Mayor, is out of this year’s Christchurch mayoralty race, ending a local body career that spans 30 years.

Sir Hamish Hay stunned his Christchurch City Council colleagues last evening with his announcement that he would not stand for re-election on specialist medical advice.

Only his closest advisers on the United Citizens team knew of his decision, made at the week-end.

Others sat at the council table in disbelief as Sir Hamish, choking back emotion, thanked his fellow councillors, the staff and especially his wife, Lady Hay, for their support during his 15 years as Mayor. Sir Hamish said after the meeting he had received a specialist’s report last Friday and had come to an almost immediate decision.

“I have some problems which could be serious. I’m undergoing tests .., it may not be too alarming but it’s better to get out now than to be elected and perhaps not be able to do the job because of having to have surgery or whatever.”

Sir Hamish said he was disappointed not to be a part of the new Christchurch City. “I felt there was a job to finish but ...”

Sir Hamish wound up his announcement by moving that Cr Maurice Carter replace him as a delegate to next month’s South Island Local Bodies Association conference.

That motion was almost lost in the tributes paid to Sir Hamish by his mayoral rival, Cr Vicki Buck, the Labour council leader, Cr Alex Clark, and two of the men who are in the running to succeed him as the United Citizens candidate, Crs John Burn and Morgan Fahey. Cr Buck said Sir Hamish had been a good Mayor and deserved the tributes that would flow in. Crs Burn and Fahey echoed those praises, Cr Fahey noting that United Citizens’ attempts to dissuade Sir Hamish from withdrawing had failed. Cr Buck said later she was shocked. Sir Hamish’s withdrawal would have a big impact on the mayoral race because he had such a strong personal following. Sir Hamish’s other principal mayoral rival, Mrs Margaret Murray, was just as stunned Ironically, had Sir Hamish withdrawn before the United Citizens split, Mrs Murray would have been his United Citizens successor.

She said last evening she did not know if a reunion of the United Citizens was possible.

“But the comment I want to make is not about that but about Sir Hamish’s contribution to Christchurch as Mayor. People will remember him well for what he has done.”