A by-election was held for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorate of Goldfields South on 12 December 1870 as a result of the Legislative Assembly declaring the election of Ezekiel Baker was void. Baker had been appointed to conduct a Royal Commission to inquire into the laws and regulations of the goldfields and for securing a permanent water supply. The Committee of Elections and Qualifications held that this appointment was an office of profit under the crown which meant he was incapable of being elected, or of sitting, or voting, as a member of the Assembly.
Dates Date Event 18 August 1870 Question referred to the Elections and Qualifications Committee. 4 November 1870 The Assembly considered the report of the Elections and Qualifications Committee and declared the seat vacant. 5 November 1879 Writ of election issued by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. 21 November 1879 Nominations at Adelong 12 December 1879 Polling day 3 January 1871 Return of writ
Polling places
Adelong Kimo, near Gundagai Grenfell Quondong Wombat Elrington, now known as Majors Creek Kiandra Upper Adelong Broken-cart Creek, near Talbingo Reedy Flat, now known as Batlow Araluen Mongarlowe Jembaicumbene Junee Sebastopol.
Result
The Committee of Elections and Qualifications held that the appointment of Ezekiel Baker to conduct a Royal Commission into the goldfields meant that he held an office of profit under the crown and his election was declared void.
See also Electoral results for the district of Goldfields South List of New South Wales state by-elections
References