He was a District Commissioner in Mwinilunga,   Mumbwa and Samfya Districts, later joining Central Government in Lusaka. He was in charge of Districts which could be approximately the same size as Wales (20,000Km), containing small widely distributed populations. Tim visited each village about twice a year (initially by bicycle!) hearing appeals from the local courts, sorting out complaints and land disputes, ensuring the payment of tax to the local chiefly authorities, as well as a host of other tasks including maintaining bridges and roads.