Hall reminded the Governor that his following held a majority in the House of Representatives and nominated Frederick Whitaker to replace him.The Ministry succeeded Hall's retrenching government, but as a Budget surplus had been achieved, they felt able to reduce the property tax by half and raise a 3 million pound loan for Public Works.[5] Atkinson introduced a bill to establish a contributory social security scheme in 1882, but this was well ahead of contemporary opinion, and his second attempt in 1883 was greeted with "ribald laughter".[6] Similarly, William Rolleston’s attempt to create a perpetual Crown lease option for land ownership was amended beyond recognition by the Legislative Council.Whitaker had only intended to serve for a single session of Parliament, and having found the Premiership tiresome, he returned to his legal practice.