his first goal was to address delays over rural settlement and primary production. he persuaded charles sturt to come from new south wales to work as surveyor-general, personally overseeing the surveys in the meantime, as colonel william light had resigned due to ailing health and the demands placed on him with insufficient staff. gawler promptly increased and reorganised the fledgling police force, promoting its commander henry inman. gawler appointed more colonial officials, took part in exploration, and improved the facilities at port adelaide during his tenure as governor. the first permanent government house was built, which is now the east wing of the present building.