He was a colourful character and stood for elections to the Canterbury Provincial Council and Parliament, but was unsuccessful.

[1][2] His parents were Paul Hart (yeoman, later a shearer) and his wife Mary Brennan (m. 28 October 1804).

[7] On 16 December 1852, Hart catered for 150 guests who had assembled to farewell John Robert Godley, the founder of Canterbury who returned to England after his short stay in the colony.

[11] The photo from the 1940s shows the White Hart Hotel to the right of the building that is these days occupied by Cheapskates.

The site of the hotel is these days occupied by the Westpac high rise,[3] which is soon to be demolished due to damage sustained in the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake.

[3] Hart contested the November 1857 election for the 2nd Council, where six candidates stood for four positions in the Town of Christchurch electorate.

After a lengthy address, which was favourably received by the Lyttelton Times, Hart put his name forward at that meeting.

Councillor Calvert proposed Hart as mayor, as he had shown administrative skill as the chairman of the works committee.

[19] The former mayors William Wilson, John Anderson, James Jameson and Henry Sawtell were present at the meeting.

[6] It was a copy of the robes worn by the Lord Mayors of London and Hart had it made at his own cost.

[3] During his term as mayor, the City Outfall Drain through Linwood, designed by Cornelius Cuff, was completed.

[6] Hart's first wife died on 1 June 1866 aged 53 years,[24] and she was buried at Addington Cemetery.

[3] Hart remarried only a month later, on 3 July 1866, to Ellen Gardiner, witnessed by John Ollivier and William Wilson.