Ernst Peterson Hay William Gregory The 1949 Lower Hutt mayoral by-election was held to elect a successor to Ernst Peterson Hay who resigned as Mayor of Lower Hutt upon his appointment as a judge of the Supreme Court.

[2] Following table shows the detailed ballot results by the local polling booths:[3] Gregory was sworn in as mayor on 14 March at the first council meeting after the election.

He nominated Eric Rothwell while Horlor nominated councillor Bella Logie, arguing that the role of deputy should go to a councillor of widespread appeal citing that Logie had polled third highest at the previous council election while Rothwell had polled eighth.

The chairman of the Citizens' Association, Charles Hain, wrote to the Hutt Labour Representation Committee with a proposal to settle together on a suitable candidate and avoid a further election.

After receiving no reply after 11 days the Citizens' Association nominated former councillor Herbert Frederick Muir for the vacancy.