The couple returned to Auckland and Philips opened a second hardware store; this one in lower Queen Street.

[3] There was a large attendance at her funeral, with "nearly every member of the Jewish community" present, plus the mayor (Albert Devore) and many of the city councillors.

[10] In May 1871, Auckland was gazetted a borough council and the legislation commuted the City Board representatives to become the inaugural councillors.

Philips, who was still chairman at that point, was unanimously elected by his fellow councillors as inaugural mayor and held this office until 1874.

[13] When Philips retired from the mayoralty, he became the city's town clerk and remained in that role until 1899.