George Grey’s New Zealand government does not…

George Grey’s New Zealand government does not operate particularly well, with Grey seeking to dominate the government and coming into conflict with the Governor.

His term as Premier is regarded by historians as a failure.

Towards the end of 1879, Grey's government gets into difficulties over land tax; eventually, Grey asks for an early election..

Elected in both the Thames and the City of Christchurch electorates in September 1879, Grey had come first in the three-member Christchurch electorate (Samuel Paull Andrews and Edward Stevens had come second with equal numbers of votes, 23 votes ahead of Edward Richardson).

Richardson had petitioned against Grey's return on technical grounds, as Grey had already been elected in the Thames electorate.

The electoral commission had unseated Grey on October 24, with Richardson offered this vacancy a few days later.

Grey had kept the Thames seat and remained a member of parliament through that electorate.