Wellington on 12 May 1869 on board the Airedale. It was initially envisaged that Clayton's office would be responsible for the design of all new government buildings and overseeing their construction as well as making additions and repairs to existing buildings but later some building-types were later excluded, such as lighthouses, defence structures and railway stations. Generally, he was responsible for Auckland and Wellington government houses, parliament buildings, court houses, customs houses, departmental offices, prisons, police stations, post offices, as well as maintenance of public domains. Clayton's appointment coincided with the start of the extensive public work schemes of his son-in-law Julius Vogel who became colonial treasurer in June 1969 and was Premier from 1873 to 1875. These projects, on top of the existing backlog, created a large workload for Clayton who began working with people only appointed for only short periods to support him in line with fluctuating work demands. To assist in the quick design and construction of smaller public buildings Clayton developed standard designs featuring timber construction, steep roofs with deeply overhanging gables and standard windows. In his first financial year (1869–70) in the role Clayton reported he earned £1,161.11.0. In 1871 the government forced him to agree to a salary of £700 though Clayton insisted on claiming the right to maintain a private practice (due to his concerns about the insecurity of his position). On one occasion he threatened to resign when he received criticism over it. It wasn't until 1876 that he finally relinquished the right to engage in private practice. In October 1873 Clayton's office was transferred at his urging to the newly established Public Works Department as its Colonial Architect's Branch, with Clayton reporting to the Engineer-in-Chief of the department. The transfer of his office allowed Clayton to appoint his first permanent 'core' staff. Among the appointments were William Beatson (1807–70) and Pierre Finch Martineau Burrows (1842-1920). Following his move to Wellington Clayton designed a house on Hobson Street which, when it was finished in 1874, was the first concrete house in New Zealand and the first house to have hot and cold running water. In carrying out his duties Clayton travelled widely, visiting Auckland, Tauranga, Gisborne, Napier and Nelson in 1875, and undertaking a major tour of the South Island in 1876. During Clayton's period as Colonial Architect he designed and saw to completion 180 buildings, with 80 of them being post