1884 Gundagai colonial by-election
# 1884 Gundagai colonial by-election

A by-election was held for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorate of Gundagai on 21 November 1884 because of the resignation of Bruce Smith, to return to Melbourne to run his father's business, WM Howard Smith and Sons Ltd.

## Dates

| Date | Event |
| - | - |
| 8 April 1884 | Bruce Smith resigned. |
| 9 April 1884 | Writ of election issued by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. |
| 18 April 1884 | Nominations. |
| 22 April 1884 | Polling day |
| 28 April 1884 | Return of writ |

## Candidates

* James Watson had been the member for Lachlan and then Young until his defeat at the 1882 election, and had been the Colonial Treasurer in the Parkes - Robertson coalition ministry.
* Jack Want was a barrister from Sydney and this was the first occasion he stood for parliament, although he would subsequently serve for 20 years in both houses of parliament, including three periods as Attorney General.

Want won the show of hands however a poll was demanded.

## Result

1884 Gundagai by-election Tuesday 22 April :

| Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - |
| James Watson (elected) | James Watson (elected) | 558 | 50.3 |
| Jack Want | Jack Want | 552 | 49.7 |
| Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 1,110 | 100.0 |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | 0 | 0.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | 1,110 | 61.1 |

Bruce Smith resigned.

