The Electoral district of County of Durham was an electorate of the New South Wales Legislative Council at a time when some of its members were elected and the balance were appointed by the Governor. It was named after Durham County, which lies on the north side of the Hunter River.
It was created by the 1843 Electoral Districts Act and initially returned one member. It returned two members with the expansion of the Council in 1851 to 54, 18 to be appointed and 36 elected. In 1856 the unicameral Legislative Council was abolished and replaced with an elected Legislative Assembly and an appointed Legislative Council. The district was represented by the Legislative Assembly electorate of Durham
Members Election Member Term 1843Richard WindeyerJun 1843 – Dec 1847 1848 by Stuart Donaldson Feb 1848 – Jan 1853 1848 1849 by Member Term 1851 Charles Cowper Sep 1851 – Feb 1856 1853 by Alexander Park Feb 1853 – Feb 1856
Election results 1843
1848 by-election Richard Windeyer died in December 1847.
1848
1849 by-election On 26 July 1848, the day prescribed for nominations, Stuart Donaldson and Andrew Lang were nominated. A show of hands was in favour of Donaldson and Lang demanded a poll. The returning officer had neglected to make any preparations for a poll and so declared Donaldson elected. Donaldson attempted to resign on 16 August. The election was declared void by the court of disputed returns and a new writ issued.
1851
1853 by-election Stuart Donaldson resigned in January 1853.
See also Members of the New South Wales Legislative Council, 1843–1851 and 1851-1856
References
External links Hansard NSW Legislative Council