Electoral district of City of Melbourne explained

Upper:yes
City of Melbourne
State:vic
Image Upright:0.81
Created:1851
Abolished:1856
Electors:4592 (in 1851)
Class:Urban

The Electoral district of City of Melbourne was one of the original sixteen electoral districts[1] of the old unicameral Victorian Legislative Council of 1851 to 1856; Victoria having been made a separate colony in Australia in the former year.

The Electoral district of City of Melbourne's area contained the North Melbourne and part of Jika Jika parishes, and was bound in part by Merri Creek, Moonee Ponds and Hobson's Bay.[1]

William Westgarth had been a representative in the New South Wales Legislative Council for the City of Melbourne,[2] and topped the poll for this new district in Victoria.

From 1856 onwards, the Victorian parliament consisted of two houses, the Victorian Legislative Council (upper house, consisting of Provinces) and the Victorian Legislative Assembly (lower house).[3]

Members

Three members initially, the election results were declared on 13 September 1851, members sworn-in November 1851. Six members from the expansion of the Council in 1853.[4]

Member 1TermMember 2TermMember 3Term
William WestgarthSep 1851 –
Apr 1853
John O'ShanassySep 1851 –
Mar 1856
James JohnstonSep 1851 –
Dec 1852
Member 4TermMember 5TermMember 6Term
John SmithMay 1853 –
Mar 1856
Augustus GreevesJan 1853 –
Mar 1856
John HodgsonAug 1853 –
Mar 1856
Henry LanglandsAug 1853 –
Oct 1853
James MurphyAug 1853 –
Sep 1855
Frederick SargoodOct 1853 –
Mar 1856
Thomas RaeNov 1855 –
Mar 1856

See also

Notes

= resigned
= by-election

Greeves went on to represent the Electoral district of East Bourke in the Victorian Legislative Assembly from November 1856.[5] O'Shanassy went on to represent the Electoral district of Kilmore in the Victorian Legislative Assembly from November 1856.[5] Smith went on to represent the Electoral district of Melbourne in the Victorian Legislative Assembly from November 1856.[5] Hodgson went on to represent Central Province in the Victorian Legislative Council from November 1856.[5] Sargood went on to represent the Electoral district of St Kilda in the Victorian Legislative Assembly from November 1856.[5]

Election results

13 September 1851, first three members elected (*).[6]

CandidateVotes
William Westgarth*1202
John O'Shanassy*1168
James Johnston*1128
William Nicholson1094
John Hodgson  618
Augustus Greeves  257
George Ward Cole  219
Total4592

References

-37.8136°N 144.9631°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Victorian Electoral Act. 26 May 2013. 2386. New South Wales Government.
  2. 428 . Mr William Westgarth (1815-1889) . Yes . 20 April 2019.
  3. Book: Constitutional Development of Victoria, 1851-6 . Sweetman, Edward . 1920 . Whitcombe & Tombs Limited . 182 . 19 May 2013.
  4. Sweetman, p.108
  5. Web site: Re-Member (Former Members). State Government of Victoria. 17 May 2013.
  6. Web site: The City Election. Declaration of the Poll. . 15 September 1851 . The Argus . Trove . 27 July 2014.