The by-election was caused after the death of Liberal Party MP Arthur Remington on 17 August 1909.

[3] However, ultimately George Hutchison did not appear on the ballot as he agreed to stand down in the interests of the Reform Party in favour of Hockly.

Meldrum was expected to receive the votes from those in favour of the Liberal Government,[3] however Smith ultimately came in second place.

[5] The second ballot resulted in the return of Liberal candidate Smith, who was elected by a majority of 399 votes.

Thomas Mackenzie, who at the time served as Minister of Agriculture, attributed the victory to "a recognition on the part of the electors that the Government is honestly striving to do its very best in the interests of the country" and took the rural vote of the electorate to be an approval of his ministry's work.