An interest in local affairs soon developed and Hargest became involved with several local authorities including the Southland Education Board. In the , he contested the electorate standing for the Reform Party and came very close to beating Sir Joseph Ward. The former Prime Minister had a majority of 159 votes, which represented a 1.5% margin. The death of Sir Joseph triggered the August , which was contested by Hargest and Ward's second son, Vincent Ward. Hargest was beaten in by Ward Jr., who had a majority of 571 votes (5.82%), and Hargest had thus been beaten by both father and son.