A by-election was held for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorate of Wellington on 29 May 1891 because of the death of David Ferguson (Protectionist).[1]
Date | Event |
---|---|
5 May 1891 | David Ferguson died.[1] |
12 May 1891 | Writ of election issued by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.[2] |
22 May 1891 | Nominations |
29 May 1891 | Polling day |
1 June 1891 | Declaration of the poll.[3] |
6 June 1891 | The Legislative Assembly was dissolved, and writs were issued by the Governor to proceed with a general election. |
11 June 1891 | Return of writ |
20 June 1891 | Poll at Wellington |
Both O'Halloran and Riddel claimed to represent the Labour Party and engaged in a public dispute as to who had been chosen by the unions to represent the workers of Wellington.[11][12][13] Antony Green labeled O'Halloran as a Protectionist and Riddel as a Free Trader,[14] which reflects their positions on the fiscal issue, one of the issues which would divide the Labour Party following the 1891 election.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Protectionist | Thomas York (elected) | 292 | 31.0 | ||
Protectionist | Thomas Quirk | 285 | 30.2 | ||
Labour | Michael O'Halloran | 221 | 23.4 | ||
Labour | Alexander Riddel | 145 | 15.4 | ||
Total formal votes | 943 | 100.0 | +3.3 | ||
Informal votes | 0 | 0.0 | -3.3 | ||
Turnout | 943 | 58.5 | +1.9 | ||
Protectionist hold |
York did not get to take his seat as parliament was prorogued the day after the declaration of the poll,[3] and dissolved on 6 June for a general election. York, Quirk and O'Halloran each contested the election on 20 June, with similar results, York was elected with a slightly increased margin.[15]