[3][4][5] There was then legal argument that Fraser should be declared duly elected instead, but Justice Conolly rejected this, stating that it was up to the House of Representatives to decide on that.

The Public Petition Committee reported to the House on 10 July (i.e. the day after the by-election) and recommended that the Government pass a bill to remove the stigma of disqualification.

[11] Joseph Dargaville, who had previously represented the Auckland West electorate, was discussed as a probable candidate, and the potential candidacy of Sir Maurice O'Rorke, who after 29 years in Parliament had been defeated at the 1890 election, was rumoured.

[7] The lawyer and ornithologist Walter Buller, who had previously been unsuccessful in the 1876 and 1881 elections,[12] started canvassing in the electorate as a supporter of the Liberal Government during April.

[14] William Murray, who had until 1881 represented the Te Aroha electorate, was understood to be a candidate for the opposition to the ruling Liberal Government.

[15] Dr. Charles Broome of Huntly announced his candidacy in late June,[16] but his nomination was regarded as a "joke" by the local newspaper, the Thames Star.