[1] The Representation Act 1887 had major implication for the procedure of revising electoral boundaries.
The revision task was transferred from committees formed by MPs to a permanent Representation Commission.
[2] In the 1887 electoral redistribution, although the Representation Commission was required through the Representation Act 1887 to maintain existing electorates "as far as possible", rapid population growth in the North Island required the transfer of three seats from the South Island to the north.
Anyone attempting to form an administration thus had to win support directly from individual MPs.
[4] The second Stout-Vogel Ministry had been in power since 3 September 1884 until 8 October 1887, just after the 1887 general election to determine the composition of the 10th Parliament.