1887 Bourke colonial by-election

A by-election was held for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorate of Bourke on 21 January 1887 because of the resignation of both the sitting members, Russell Barton,[1][2] and William Sawers.[3] The writ however was not returned as Parliament was dissolved on 26 January 1887.[4]

Dates

Date Event
2 December 1886 Russell Barton,[1] and William Sawers resigned.[3]
29 December 1886 Writ of election issued by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.[5]
11 January 1887 Nominations
21 January 1887 Polling day
26 January 1887 Parliament dissolved
1 February 1887 Writ due to be returned

Result

1887 Bourke by-election
Friday 21 January [6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Free Trade Thomas Waddell (elected 1) 1,019 40.2
Protectionist William Willis (elected 2) 833 32.9
Free Trade Alexander Wilson 682 26.9
Total formal votes 2,534
Informal votes
Turnout 2,534 57.2 [a]

Both the sitting members, Russell Barton and William Sawers, resigned. The writ was not returned as the Parliament was dissolved on 26 January.[4]

Aftermath

The same 3 candidates contested the election on 22 February. Waddell still headed the poll however Wilson was able to gather enough votes to take the second seat over Willis.[4]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Estimate based on a roll of 4,431 at the election on 22 February.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b "Mr Russell Barton (1830-1916)". Former members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  2. ^ "The contemplated resignation of Mr Russell Barton MLA". The Sydney Morning Herald. 29 November 1886. p. 8. Retrieved 29 September 2020 – via Trove.
  3. ^ a b "Mr William Bowie Stewart Campbell Sawers (1844-1916)". Former members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
  4. ^ a b c d Green, Antony. "1887 Bourke". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  5. ^ "Writ of election - Bourke". New South Wales Government Gazette. 29 December 1886. p. 8817. Retrieved 20 April 2020 – via Trove.
  6. ^ "Bourke". The Sydney Morning Herald. 29 January 1887. p. 9. Retrieved 20 April 2020 – via Trove.