He took a prominent part in educational matters. Arthur Robert Oliver resigned from the Waimea electorate in 1867 and triggered a by-election. On nomination day on 24 June 1867, three candidates were put forward: John Kelling (who had already represented the Waimea electorate in Parliament), Joseph Shephard, and Edward Baigent. The latter informed the voters that _he_did not think himself qualified to represent them in Parliament, but he would ``at least give them an honest vote'' (in the House). <sep>, Pronoun: he