 The appointment was much criticized, but Coghlan held the position for 19 years and showed great industry and ability.He published in 1887 the first issue of "The Wealth and Progress of New South Wales" which continued to appear almost at yearly intervals.Coghlan was also registrar of Friendly Societies from 1892 to 1905, a member of the public service board from 1896 to 1900, chairman of board of old age pensions 1901-5, and was president of the economics and statistics section at the 1902 meeting of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science.