1883–1884 Atkinson Ministry

Walter Woods Johnston later left the Ministry to return to his own private business and was replaced with Edwin Mitchelson.

[3] This third Atkinson Ministry lacked popular support due to its perceived parsimony and the limited number of Public Works projects it undertook.

[4] Before calling an election, Atkinson announced a policy of ‘closer settlement’ of land, Crown pre-emption in purchases of Māori land, and encouragement of local industry through moderately protectionist tariffs.

[5] At the 1884 general election, Sir Julius Vogel returned to New Zealand politics and led a party of followers into the House.

As the factional arithmetic was unclear, Atkinson's ministry remained in power until the House met and Vogel was able to put together a coalition with Robert Stout.