In 1839 Price was appointed muster master of convicts and stipendiary magistrate. In 1846 he suffered an unknown illness and was recommended by Surgeon Bedford to take leave of absence 'or else he will be laid up seriously'. However, he was appointed commandant of Norfolk Island in July of that year, to replace Major Joseph Childs. One of Price's first duties was to arrange for the trial of 26 convicts alleged to have been involved in murders during the Cooking pot uprising of July 1846 at the end of Childs' administration. Twelve convicts were hanged in October, and five others shortly after. The executions broke the power of the feared 'Ring' clique of inmates. Price was a tall burly man who affected an extravagant style of dress and used underworld slang. He openly announced his intention was to break the inmates and went among them with few guards to emphasise his dominance, although he also carried two pepper-box pistols.