August 1875 Upper Hunter colonial by-election
By-election in New South Wales, Australia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A by-election was held for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorate of Upper Hunter on 5 August 1875 as the by-election that returned Thomas Hungerford was overturned by the Election and Qualifications Committee on the basis that two polls were taken at Belltrees.[1]
Dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 7 June 1875 | Poll conducted, including at Belltrees |
| 21 June 1875 | Further poll conducted at Denison Town, Merry's Crossing, Wybong Reserve and Belltrees.[2] |
| 6 July 1875 | John McElhone lodged a petition against the election.[2] |
| 12 July 1875 | Election of Thomas Hungerford declared to be void.[1] |
| 13 July 1875 | Writ of election issued by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.[3] |
| 29 July 1875 | Nominations |
| 5 August 1875 | Polling day |
| 23 August 1875 | Return of writ |
Results
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| John McElhone (elected) | 1,057 | 54.9 | |
| Thomas Hungerford | 869 | 45.1 | |
| Total formal votes | 1,926 | 99.2 | |
| Informal votes | 15 | 0.8 | |
| Turnout | 1,941 | 64.3 | |
Aftermath
Thomas Hungerford also lodged an unsuccessful petition, in which he alleged John McElhone committed acts of bribery and corruption by supplying electors with food, drink and transport.[5]