Results of the 1885 New South Wales colonial election explained

The 1885 New South Wales colonial election was for 122 members representing 72 electoral districts. The election was conducted on the basis of a simple majority or first-past-the-post voting system. In this election there were 35 multi-member districts returning 85 members and 37 single member districts giving a total of 122 members. In the multi-member districts each elector could vote for as many candidates as there were vacancies. 7 districts were uncontested. There was no recognisable party structure at this election. The average number of enrolled voters per seat was 1,831, ranging from East Maitland (1,018) to Canterbury (2,630).^[1]

Election results

Argyle

The sitting member Sir Henry Parkes successfully contested St Leonards.

Balmain

| colspan="2" |   | colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | (1 new seat)The other sitting member William Hutchinson did not contest the election.

Braidwood

Angus Cameron was a sitting member for West Sydney however he had been defeated for that seat on Tuesday 13 October.

Canterbury

| colspan="2" |   | colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | (1 new seat)

Carcoar

The other sitting member George Campbell did not contest the election.

Central Cumberland

| colspan="2" |   | colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | (1 new seat)

East Macquarie

The other sitting member Edward Combes did not contest the election.

The Glebe

| colspan="2" |   | colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | (1 new seat)

Gundagai

The sitting member James Watson did not contest the election.

The Gwydir

Thomas Dangar was the sitting member for The Namoi.

The Hume

The other sitting member Leyser Levin did not contest the election.

Illawarra

The sitting member Alexander Stuart did not contest the election.

Monaro

The sitting members Septimus Badgery and David Ryrie did not contest the election. Thomas O'Mara was the sitting member for Tumut.

Mudgee

The other sitting member David Buchanan did not contest the election.

The Murrumbidgee

| colspan="2" |   | colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | (1 new seat)The sitting members Auber Jones and George Loughnan did not contest the election. George Dibbs was the Premier and a member for St Leonards where he was successfully challenged by Sir Henry Parkes on Friday 16 October.

The Namoi

The sitting member Thomas Dangar unsuccessfully contested The Gwydir.

New England

The sitting member James Farnell was appointed to the Legislative Council and did not contest the election.

Newtown

| colspan="2" |   | colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | (1 new seat)

Northumberland

Joseph Gorrick was the sitting member for Wollombi.

Queanbeyan

The sitting member George De Salis did not contest the election.

Redfern

The other sitting member Alfred Fremlin did not contest the election.

The Richmond

| colspan="2" |   | colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | (1 new seat)The sitting member Samuel Gray did not contest the election

South Sydney

The other sitting member John Harris did not contest the election.

St Leonards

Sir Henry Parkes was the member for Argyle who contested St Leonards to successfully challenge the Premier George Dibbs. Dibbs was returned to Parliament by successfully contesting The Murrumbidgee on Saturday 31 October.

Tumut

The sitting member Thomas O'Mara unsuccessfully contested Monaro.

The Upper Hunter

The other sitting member John McLaughlin did not contest the election.

Wentworth

| colspan="2" |   | colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | (1 new seat)

West Maitland

The sitting member Henry Cohen did not contest the election.

Wollombi

The sitting member Joseph Gorrick unsuccessfully contested Northumberland.

Young

See also

• Candidates of the 1885 New South Wales colonial election
• Members of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, 1885–1887

Notes and References

1. 1885 . Turnout . 17 April 2020.