[6] He was initially at Kiandra, however an inquiry had found he had committed errors, including illegal acts, as a result of his inexperience and he was transferred to Araluen.
In the Legislative Assembly Bowie Wilson, the member for Goldfields South, criticised the then Secretary for Lands, John Robertson for not dismissing Cooper.
[7] Cooper resigned as sub-commissioner shortly after Wilson had been appointed Secretary for Lands.
[8] Cooper opposed Wilson at the Goldfields South by-election in November 1863, but received less than 10% of the vote.
He served until 4 March 1884 when his re-election in October 1863 was overturned by the Committee of Elections and Qualifications,[10] following allegations of "ballot stuffing", as there were too many votes cast at the California Gully and Halpin's Creek polling stations given the number of electors.