[1][2] The seat was expected to be retained for Liberal Reform by its candidate, Thomas Henry, but he withdrew during the campaign because he held an office of profit under the Crown.

[3][4] William Zuill, who ran as an Independent Liberal, won the seat with 56.7% of the vote, defeating Farmers and Settlers candidate George Morrison.

[23][24] At the time of the by-election, the Farmers and Settlers Association was in the process of establishing the Progressive Party.

[25] George Morrison attempted to receive an official endorsement from the Association, but it chose not to support any candidate.

[21][27][28] The Labor Party, which had 27.8% of the vote in Clarence at the 1913 state election, did not contest the seat, although it publicly expressed interest in nominating a candidate.