[5] Prior to starting his employment as Ohakune's town clerk in 1949 he served in the Royal Navy during World War II.

[5] The National Party decided not to contest the by-election after holding a specially-convened meeting of the old Patea electorate committee at Waverley on 29 June.

The party head office issued a press statement that given the close proximity of the next general election there was little purpose contesting the seat.

[8] For the most part, both Sheat and Winchcombe had well-attended meetings to make addresses, though Duggan had difficulty inspiring interest in his ideas about the principles of Liberalism his campaign was centred on.

Other than restating his reasons for resigning and triggering the by-election, the rest of his speeches were defending the Government against Labour's criticisms (particularly with regards to financial policy).

Labour's campaign speakers used the by-election criticising the Government, particularly on financial grounds, which had been a common area of criticism throughout the parliamentary session.