[12][3] Serving as mayor at the height of the Great Depression, Bugler was involved in various relief efforts to help the less fortunate in Newtown.
[13] Bugler stood again for re-election at the following municipal election held on 2 January 1932, but was initially unsuccessful having been placed third on the Labor ticket in Enmore Ward, and was defeated by his Deputy Mayor Edward Boland by a margin of 3 votes.
[16][17] In July 1933, Bugler gained attention for his unsuccessful attempt to have Newtown Council adopt the use of Advance Australia Fair, to replace the then national anthem, God Save the King, at all official functions.
[21][22][23] However, at the Labor Party ballot for candidates prior to the December 1934 municipal election, Bugler was defeated in fourth place.
[34][35] At the December 1945 mayoral election, Bugler narrowly lost the mayoralty in a tied 6–6 vote after the Labor candidate drew his name out of a hat.
North Sydney Council subsequently dedicated a sportsfield in Waverton as the "Joseph Bugler Playing Field".
[56][2] In the 1973 New Year Honours, Bugler was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for "service to the community".