Career
He was a member for Canterbury from 1860 to 1864 and from 1871 to 1880 and a member for Hartley from 1864 to 1869. From 1875 to 1877 he was Secretary of Mines. He was noted patron of the Jenolan Caves in the Blue Mountains where a cave and a tour have since been named in his honour.
He also maintained a holiday cottage on Lapstone Hill at the Eastern edge of the Blue Mountains.
On the original Lapstone Zig Zag a station was built for him and named "Lucasville". The remains of the station are still visible today.