1856 Northumberland Boroughs colonial election re-count

By-election in New South Wales, Australia June 2021 June 2021 In August 1856 the Committee of Elections and Qualifications conducted a re-count of the 1856 election for the district of Northumberland Boroughs, in which Bourn Russell had been declared elected by a margin of 8 votes over Elias Weekes.1856 Northumberland Boroughs 2020-09-19 The returning officer was Isaac Gorrick who was a friend of Bourn Russell. The nomination of Russell was moved by Edward Close and seconded by John Kingsmill.https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12981378 Representation of the Northumberland Boroughs The Sydney Morning Herald 28 March 1856 20 September 2020 2 Trove Once a poll was called for, Gorrick appointed Close and Kingsmill as deputy returning officers.https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18653104 The late election The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser 26 July 1856 20 September 2020 2 Trove In January Close had also chaired a meeting at Morpeth where Weekes had addressed the voters.https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18647126 Northumberland Boroughs: Mr Weekes at Morpeth The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser 23 January 1856 20 September 2020 2 TroveEdward Close Edward Close Jr. https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18654719 To the editors of the Maitland Mercury The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser 29 July 1856 20 September 2020 2 Trove William Christie lodged a petition with a £100 deposit, against the election alleging that more than 20 people who were unqualified to vote had voted for Russell. This was not a secret ballot and voters were required to write their name and address on the ballot paper. Christie subsequently published a list of the 21 people whose votes had been struck off.https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18655233 The petition against Mr Russell: to the independent electors of the Northumberland Boroughs The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser 24 July 1856 20 September 2020 2 Trove Because the committee was able to identify the ballot papers for people who were unable to vote, they recounted the eligible votes and declared that Elias Weekes had been elected. Dates Date Event 26 March 1856 Nominations for Northumberland Boroughs. 28 March 1856 1856 Northumberland Boroughs election 9 April 1856 Elias Weekes elected at the election for Cumberland (South Riding) 22 May 1856 Members of parliament sworn in, Bourn Russell as a member for Northumberland Boroughs, Elias Weekes as a member for Cumberland (South Riding) 19 April 1894 Petition lodged by William Christie.https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article228682957 Northumberland Boroughs petition New South Wales Government Gazette 64 29 April 1856 20 September 2020 1257 Trove 23 May 1856 Committee of Elections and Qualifications appointed 29 May 1856 Petition referred to the Committee of Elections and Qualifications. 24 June 1856 Committee of Elections and Qualifications declared that Elias Weekes had been elected.https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18646366 The Northumberland Boroughs election The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser 26 June 1856 20 September 2020 2 Trovehttps://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page129869 Report from the Committee of Elections and Qualifications, in the matter of the petition against the election and return of Bourn Russell Esq. The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser 16 August 1856 20 September 2020 6 (Supplement to the Maitland Mercury) Trove 5 August 1856 Next sitting day of the Legislative Assembly and the report of the Committee of Elections and Qualifications was printed.https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60251726 Committee of Elections and Qualifications The Empire 6 August 1856 20 September 2020 2 Trove Result 1856 Northumberland Boroughs election re-countTuesday 5 August1856 Northumberland Boroughs re-count 1856 NorthumberlandBoroughs_2 2020-09-20 Elias Weekes (elected) 511 30.7 Bourn Russell (defeated) 500 29.9 1,671 100.0 0 0.0 1,011 61.1 The Committee of Elections and Qualifications conducted a re-count of the 1856 Northumberland Boroughs election and declared that Bourn Russell had not been elected the member for Northumberland Boroughs. No by-election was conducted, instead the committee declared that Elias Weekes had been elected. See also Electoral results for the district of Northumberland Boroughs List of New South Wales state by-elections References expanded Category:1856 elections in Australia Category:New South Wales state by-elections Category:1850s in New South Wales Category:August 1856