A by-election was held for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorate of Gwydir on 29 June and 20 July 1865 as a result of the Committee on Elections and Qualifications declaring that the seat of Thomas Dangar was vacant because he had an office of profit under the Crown.
Dangar was elected at the 1865 election for the Gwydir in unusual circumstances. Dangar had been appointed the returning officer but was persuaded to stand for the seat, resulting in a delay of a month before the poll could be held. Dangar had a contract with the Government to carry the mail on the Barwon and Namoi rivers and this was held to be an office of profit and thus disqualified him from being a member of the Legislative Assembly.
Dates Date Event 24 January 1865 Election for the Gwydir. 15 April 1865 Petition lodged by John Single. 25 April 1865 Petition referred to the Committee on Elections and Qualifications. 25 May 1865 The Committee on Elections and Qualifications declared that the election of Thomas Dangar was null and void. 27 May 1865 Writ of election issued by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. 15 June 1865 Nominations at Wee Waa. 29 June 1865 Polling day 28 July 1865 Return of writ
Polling places
Polling did not occur at the late added polling places until 20 July.
Result
The election of Thomas Dangar was declared void by the Committee of Elections and Qualifications because he had a contract to carry mail, which was an office of profit under the Crown.It was a comfortable victory for Dangar, with his margin over Single increasing from 53 votes to 81 votes.
See also Electoral results for the district of Gwydir List of New South Wales state by-elections
Notes
References