Massey somewhat narrowly beat the Liberal candidate Jackson Palmer recording only a 173-vote majority.

[2] Opposition supporters in the Waitemata area sent a telegram to Massey asking him to stand in the by-election on their behalf.

[5] Massey's only opponent was Paeroa lawyer Jackson Palmer, an Independent Liberal, who had won the Waitemata seat previously, in the 1890 election.

[6] Fellow conservative Eden George also intended to stand, but ultimately withdrew from the contest.

[2] Massey stood successfully for Franklin in 1896 and was to stay in Parliament for the remaining 31 years of his life, serving as Prime Minister (1912–25).