 In 1881 he was elected for Light, afterwards merged into Wooroora, and represented the district for over 30 years.He was commissioner of crown lands from June 1884 to February 1885, and commissioner of public works from February to June 1885 in the second John Colton ministry and showed himself to be a vigorous administrator.He was commissioner of crown lands again in the Thomas Playford II ministry from June 1887 to June 1889.