[2] Lee bought the Highfield sheep run, which adjoined the later town Waiau in North Canterbury.

[3] He sold Highfield in 1864 and bought Stoke Grange instead, which was split off from the Fernside run held by Charles Torlesse.

[5] Soon after buying Stoke Grange, Lee stood for the Rangiora and Mandeville Road Board, and easily won the election in July 1864.

[6] Lee represented the Oxford electorate on the Canterbury Provincial Council from April 1867 to October 1870.

[2] When the secretary of the Provincial Council resigned, Lee was one of seven applicants and was selected by the elected members in the first ballot with a clear majority.