A by-election was held for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorate of Liverpool Plains on 9 January 1871 because Charles Cowper had been appointed Agent General in London.[1]
| Date | Event | |
|---|---|---|
| 6 December 1870 | Cowper appointed Agent General.[2] | |
| 7 December 1870 | Writ of election issued by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.[3] | |
| 27 December 1870 | Nominations at Tamworth | |
| 9 January 1871 | Polling day | |
| 31 January 1871 | Return of writ |
John Robertson was already a member of the Legislative Assembly, for the electorate West Sydney. At the nominations Hanley Bennett produced a telegram from Robertson stating that he would not oppose Lewis Levy and would not sit if elected.[4]
Polling was delayed at Breeza and Quirindi Inn because of floods and a mistake by a postmaster.