[4] John Ollivier, best known for his activities on the Canterbury Provincial Council and last represented in Parliament in 1860, announced his candidacy on the day of O'Callaghan's resignation.

[5] Other possible candidates whose interest was discussed in the media were Edward George Wright, William Rolleston and Alfred Saunders.

[6] Rolleston had contested the Rangitata electorate in 1887 and had been beaten by Searby Buxton, ending 19 uninterrupted years as a Member of the House of Representatives.

[13][14][15] At the nomination meeting on 9 January 1889, Ollivier and Saunders were put forward, with the latter winning the show of hands.

Saunders won the booths in Lincoln, Springston, Yaldhurst, West Melton, Prebbleton, Sheffield, Halkett, and Kirwee.