A by-election was held for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorate of New England on 10 January 1887 because of the resignation of William Proctor.[1] He had been found guilty by a jury of having sat and voted in parliament whilst he had an interest in a contract with the Government and the statutory penalty of £500 was imposed. Proceedings were stayed pending Proctor's appeal to the Full Court of the Supreme Court, however he resigned stating that he desired to have the verdict of his constituents.[2]
| Date | Event | |
|---|---|---|
| 18 December 1886 | Proctor found guilty of having sat and voted whilst he had an interest in a government contract.[3] | |
| 20 December 1886 | William Proctor resigned. | |
| 29 December 1886 | Writ of election issued by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.[4] | |
| 6 January 1887 | Nominations.[5] | |
| 10 January 1887 | Polling day | |
| 20 January 1887 | Return of writ | |
| 26 January 1887 | Parliament dissolved | |
| 14 November 1887 | Proctor's conviction set aside by the Full Court of the Supreme Court.[6] |
Thomas Logan and David Proudfoot were partners in a contract for the construction of a section of the Illawarra railway. Proudfoot became insolvent which dissolved the partnership. Logan wanted to carry on the contract and sought Proctor's assistance to get him a bank guarantee. Proctor became one of Logan's guarantors, and wishing to protect himself took an assignment of the contract from Logan. At the time of taking the assignment Proctor was a member of the Legislative Assembly, and Proudfoot sought to recover the penalty of £500 because Proctor, being a member of the Legislative Assembly, had entered into a contract with the Government for or on account of the public service, within the meaning of s. 28 of the Constitution of New South Wales. The jury found for Proudfoot for the full amount claimed. Proceedings were stayed pending Proctor's appeal to the Full Court of the Supreme Court.[7] [8]
This by-election was at the emergence of political parties in New South Wales, where the division was on fiscal lines of free trade and protection.
Proctor resumed his seat in the Legislative Assembly however Parliament was dissolved on 26 January. He did not stand as a candidate at the election on 10 February.[13]
His appeal the Full Court of the Supreme Court was successful, which held that (1) Proctor did not receive any money that was payable under the contract and (2) the contract required the consent of the government. As that had not been given, Proctor had no rights against the government nor did the government have any rights against Proctor. The Full Court's view was that this was not a sufficient interest to disqualify Proctor from sitting and voting as a member.[6] [14]