The by-election was caused after the resignation of Liberal Party MP James McGowan, who had been appointed to the Legislative Council.

William Henry Lucas, a unionist, was the official representative of the liberal government.

[2][3] Edmund Taylor and Thomas William Rhodes were also Liberal Party member.

[6] A week after the election, William Massey announced that the opposition will from now on be known as the Reform Party.

[8] Taylor served until the end of the parliamentary term and was narrowly beaten by Rhodes at the next general election in 1911.