After more than thirty years of loyal service, the wizard of Christchurch, New Zealand, was forced by city council to step down.
At 88, Ian Brackenbury Channell was a town celebrity and tourists came from far and wide to see him address the crowds in his black dress, with his long beard, tousled hair, a pointy hat on his head.
This magician was involved in all fights, lambasting policies or leading a fight to prevent "
the soul of the city from being attacked
" when the red phone booths had to be painted blue.
He was called upon to cast spells to influence the results of major rugby matches or to perform a rain dance in Australia.
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“
It is a difficult decision to end this contract,
” said Lynn McClelland, deputy in Christchurch City Council.
"
The council is grateful to him for his precious and special contribution to the cultural life of our city, and he will forever be part of our history
."
Lynn McClelland explained that the magic no longer matches the image that the South Island's largest city intends to promote, and that the new programs “will
increasingly reflect our diverse communities and showcase a vibrant city, diverse and modern
”.
Paid 9,745 euros per year
Ian Brackenbury Channell, British-born former Royal Air Force aviator and Leeds University graduate with a double major in psychology and sociology, arrived in Christchurch in 1974. When he began to take charge public speaking, the city council demanded his arrest, but he became so popular that 10 years later, when he threatened to leave after a spell did not have the desired effect in a game rugby, the city council asked him to stay. “
It was a welcome change of attitude after years of hostile politics on the part of the city council,
” he said.
In 1990, Prime Minister Mike Moore officially named him “
Magician of New Zealand
”.
Since 1998, the sorcerer has been paid NZ $ 16,000 (9,745 euros) per year by the city council to perform his duties as a sorcerer.
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He did not hide his anger after the city council's decision.
"
It's a bunch of bureaucrats with no imagination
," he told the Stuff news site.
"
They don't think of ways to promote Christchurch abroad
."
“
They don't take advantage of my global awareness.
I'm disappointed they didn't use 'the wizard'
”.
