[1] He was a barrister and solicitor by trade and worked at the same legal firm as Ossie Mazengarb and Ernst Peterson Hay.

Macalister notably blamed early settlers rather than the current council for the planning problems and need for urban renewal.

Macalister's controversial powers during the dispute included helping to set up replacement unions to run the port.

Under the impression that incumbent Macalister was not intending to seek a third term as Mayor, Ernest Toop applied to gain nomination as the official Citizens' candidacy.

Undeterred, Macalister ran for mayor again as an Independent which split the Citizens' vote enabling Labour's Frank Kitts to win the mayoralty.

[9] In the 1956 Queen's Birthday Honours, Macalister was appointed a Knight Bachelor, in recognition of his service as mayor of Wellington.