1866 Patrick's Plains colonial by-election
# 1866 Patrick's Plains colonial by-election

A by-election was held for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorate of Patrick's Plains on 8 February 1866 because Bowie Wilson had been appointed Secretary for Lands in the second Martin ministry. Such ministerial by-elections were usually uncontested however on this occasion a poll was required in Patrick's Plains and Yass Plains (Robert Isaacs). Both ministers were comfortably re-elected with more than 70% of the vote. The other ministers James Martin (The Lachlan), Henry Parkes (Kiama), James Byrnes (Parramatta) and Geoffrey Eagar (West Sydney) were re-elected unopposed.

Mr E E Darvall was a bank clerk, the son of John Darvall, the former attorney general. This was the only occasion on which he stood for parliament.

John Heuston was a burlesque candidate, apparently winning a £10 bet for nominating, but withdrew before the poll.

## Dates

| Date | Event |
| - | - |
| 22 January 1866 | Second Martin ministry appointed. |
| 23 January 1866 | Writ of election issued by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. |
| 5 February 1866 | Nominations at Singleton. |
| 8 February 1866 | Polling day. |
| 17 February 1866 | Return of writ |

## Polling places

* Singleton
* Belford
* Camberwell
* Warkworth
* Jerry's Plains
* Broke

## Result

1866 Patrick's Plains by-election Thursday 8 February :

| Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - |
| Bowie Wilson (re-elected) | Bowie Wilson (re-elected) | 339 | 70.5 |
| E E Darvall | E E Darvall | 142 | 29.5 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 481 | 100.0 |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | 0 | 0.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | 481 | 29.4 |
