in february 1954 combs announced he would retire at the general election later that year owing to ill health. as a result labour had already prepared to replace him in the electorate and at the time of combs' death, henry may had already been selected as the labour candidate. the government intended it to coincide with the upcoming patea by-election, even passing the patea by-election act 1954 to postpone it until the day of the onslow by-election.