From October 1857 until November 1861, he represented the Suburban North electorate.
The mail did not reach the Wairau Valley in time, and the electors did not know about the election.
[7] Wells was one of many members of the House of Representatives who resigned in early 1858; he placed a public notice to that effect in the 20 March edition of The Nelson Examiner.
[8] At the opening of the second session of the 2nd Parliament on 10 April 1858,[9] the speaker read out 14 resignations, including that of Wells.
[10] The resulting by-election was won by Wells' predecessor, Frederick Weld.