A by-election was held for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorate of Wollombi on 17 December 1886 because of the resignation of Lyall Scott due to ill health.
Dates Date Event 22 November 1886 Lyall Scott resigned. 25 November 1886 Writ of election issued by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. 11 December 1886 Nominations 17 December 1886 Polling day 28 December 1887 Return of writ
Candidates
Richard Stevenson was a retired journalist who had previously stood unsuccessfully for Grafton and The Clarence.
Walter Vivian was an estate agent from Manly who had contested Wollombi in 1885, defeated by a margin of 335 votes (35.5%).
This was at the emergence of political parties in New South Wales, and both candidates declared their support for free trade.
Result
Lyall Scott resigned.
See also Electoral results for the district of Wollombi List of New South Wales state by-elections
References