he was one of south australia's first justices of the peace, and was also appointed one of the first road commissioners (a predecessor of district councils) during sir henry young's time, then was a member of the willunga district council for 28 years. he was a commissioner for the sydney and melbourne exhibitions, and for many years a member of the school board of advice. in 1860 he was appointed captain of the willunga rifle volunteer force, and in 1895 honorary captain of the mounted volunteer force (both militias of the colony in the years before federation). he took sir john colton's place in parliament as member for noarlunga in september 1878, and continued as a member until 1887, when dashwood beat him by 13 votes. though an able raconteur, he was not fond of public speaking and was referred to in parliament as the "silent member".