December 1870 Goldfields South colonial by-election
By-election in New South Wales, Australia
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A by-election was held for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorate of Goldfields South on 12 December 1870 as a result of the Legislative Assembly declaring the election of Ezekiel Baker was void.[1] Baker had been appointed to conduct a Royal Commission to inquire into the laws and regulations of the goldfields and for securing a permanent water supply.[2] The Committee of Elections and Qualifications held that this appointment was an office of profit under the crown which meant he was incapable of being elected, or of sitting, or voting, as a member of the Assembly.[3]
Dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 18 August 1870 | Question referred to the Elections and Qualifications Committee.[4] |
| 4 November 1870 | The Assembly considered the report of the Elections and Qualifications Committee and declared the seat vacant.[5] |
| 5 November 1879 | Writ of election issued by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.[6] |
| 21 November 1879 | Nominations at Adelong |
| 12 December 1879 | Polling day |
| 3 January 1871 | Return of writ |
Polling places
- Adelong
- Kimo, near Gundagai
- Grenfell
- Quondong
- Wombat
- Elrington, now known as Majors Creek
- Kiandra
- Upper Adelong
- Broken-cart Creek, near Talbingo
- Reedy Flat, now known as Batlow
- Araluen
- Mongarlowe
- Jembaicumbene
- Junee
- Sebastopol.[7]
Result
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel Baker (elected) | 1,054 | 79.9 | |
| George Stephen | 265 | 20.1 | |
| Total formal votes | 1,319 | 100.0 | |
| Informal votes | 0 | 0.0 | |
| Turnout | 1,319 | 66.0 | |