 He then represented the Napier electorate from to 1890, when he retired.He was appointed to the Legislative Council on 20 January 1891 and served until his death on 6 October 1917.He was appointed to the Council as one of seven new members (including Harry Atkinson himself) appointed to the Council by the outgoing fourth Atkinson Ministry; a move regarded by Liberals as a stacking of the upper house against the new government.