[1] Waddell was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in 1887 as member for Bourke, serving in the See ministry, prior to assuming leadership of the Progressive Party following the retirement of Sir John See, KCMG due to ill health.

[1] The Governor, Sir Harry Rawson, was not prepared to appoint Paddy Crick as Premier, due to his excessive drinking in cabinet meetings, nor Bernhard Wise, who he regarded as unreliable.

[1] The three vacancies were filled by the appointment of barrister James Gannon from outside of parliament to be Attorney General and the promotion of ministers without portfolio John Fegan and Walter Bennett.

[3] Waddell's Progressive Party was defeated at the 1904 state election,[4] however remained in office until parliament sat and provided supply for the incoming government.

The composition of the ministry was announced by Premier Waddell on 15 June 1904 and covers the period up to 29 August 1904.