1887 Kiama colonial by-election

A by-election was held for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorate of Kiama on 13 January 1887 because of the resignation of Harman Tarrant,[1] due to the pressures of his professional practice as a surgeon.[2]

Dates

Date	Event
24 December 1886	Harman Tarrant resigned.[2]
29 December 1886	Writ of election issued by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.[3]
10 January 1887	Nominations.[4]
13 January 1887	Polling day
20 January 1887	Return of writ
26 January 1887	Parliament dissolved

Candidates

This by-election was at the emergence of political parties in New South Wales. Both candidates were supporters of free trade, with Sir Henry Parkes campaigning in support of Angus Cameron.[5] Bruce Smith similarly supported free trade principles,[6] but was of a more independent mind, stating at the nomination that he would not "follow blindly the lead of Sir Henry Parkes or that of any other gentleman".[4]

Results

1887 Kiama by-election
Thursday 13 January [7]

Candidate		Votes	%
Angus Cameron (elected)		673	64.3
Bruce Smith		373	35.7
Total formal votes		1,046	100.0
Informal votes		0	0.0
Turnout		1,046	64.5

Aftermath

Cameron took his seat in the Legislative Assembly on 18 January, however his term was short-lived as Parliament was dissolved on 26 January. Cameron was re-elected unopposed at the election on 9 February as a Free Trade candidate.[8]

See also

• Electoral results for the district of Kiama
• List of New South Wales state by-elections

References

1. "Mr Harman John Tarrant (1844-1900)". Former members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
2. "Resignation of Dr Tarrant". The Daily Telegraph. 25 December 1886. p. 5. Retrieved 22 October 2019 – via Trove.
3. "Writ of election: Kiama". New South Wales Government Gazette. No. 751. 29 December 1886. p. 8913. Retrieved 22 October 2019 – via Trove.
4. "Nomination for Kiama". Illawarra Mercury. 11 January 1887. p. 2. Retrieved 29 September 2020 – via Trove.
5. "Sir Henry Parkes at Kiama". Illawarra Mercury. 11 January 1887. p. 2. Retrieved 29 September 2020 – via Trove.
6. Smith, Bruce (8 January 1887). "Advertising: to the electors of Kiama". Illawarra Mercury. p. 3. Retrieved 29 September 2020 – via Trove.
7. Green, Antony. "1887 Kiama by-election". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 22 October 2019.
8. Green, Antony. "1887 Kiama". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 29 September 2020.