[2] After Hokitika was incorporated as a borough council in August 1868,[4] White stood for election in October of that year and was returned as one of the new councillors.
[2] When the Westland Province was inaugurated, White stood for election in January 1874 for one of the three seats in the Hokitika electorate and was returned at the head of the poll.
[2][11] The Provincial Council was adjourned after three sessions in April 1875 and never met again before it was abolished shortly after White's death.
[2] He died at his residence in Revell Street in Hokitika on 4 September 1876 from asthma[12] after a short illness of about four weeks.
[1] The funeral service was held at St Mary's Catholic Church[13] and he was buried at Hokitika Cemetery.