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The 1856 New South Wales colonial election was to return 54 members of Legislative Assembly composed of 34 electoral districts with 18 returning 1 member, 13 returning 2 members, two returning 3 members and one returning 4 members, all with a first past the post system.[1] In multi-member districts, because each voter could cast more than one vote, it is not possible to total the votes to show the number of voters and voter turnout in these districts is estimated. 8 members from 6 districts were returned unopposed.[2]
Results by district
Argyle
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Plunkett (elected) | 182 | 52.9 | |
| John Chisholm | 162 | 47.1 | |
| Columbus Fitzpatrick | 0 | 0.0 | |
| Total formal votes | 344 | 100.0 | |
| Informal votes | 0 | 0.0 | |
| Turnout | 344 | 64.4 | |
Polling was conducted on 31 March 1856. Plunkett served in the old Legislative Council as an appointed member. After failed attempts to win election for Sydney City and North Eastern Boroughs, Plunkett was elected to represent Bathurst (County) on the same day as winning Argyle. After attending the first sitting of Parliament representing both seats, and even attempting to use both votes in the ballot for Speaker, Plunkett resigned as MP for Bathurst (County) and represented Argyle. Sitting Legislative Councillor for County of Argyle was Charles Nicholson who did not contest the election.
Bathurst (County)
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Plunkett (elected) | 210 | 54.0 | |
| James Bligh | 179 | 46.0 | |
| Total formal votes | 389 | 100.0 | |
| Informal votes | 0 | 0.0 | |
| Turnout | 389 | 54.6 | |
Polling was conducted on 31 March 1856. Both Bligh and Plunkett had served in the old Legislative Council, Bligh representing County of Bathurst and Plunkett as an appointed member. After failed attempts to win election for Sydney City and North Eastern Boroughs, Plunkett was elected to represent Argyle on the same day as winning Bathurst (County). After signing the attendance book at the first sitting as a representative of both seats, and even attempting to vote twice in the ballot for Speaker, he chose to represent Argyle and resigned as member for Bathurst (County).
Clarence and Darling Downs
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clark Irving (elected) | 193 | 65.9 | |
| Colin McKenzie | 100 | 34.1 | |
| Total formal votes | 293 | 100.0 | |
| Informal votes | 0 | 0.0 | |
| Turnout | 293 | 46.1 | |
Polling was conducted on 15 April 1856. Sitting Legislative Councillor for Pastoral Districts of Clarence and Darling Downs was Thomas Hood who did not contest the election but was appointed to the new Legislative Council.
Cook and Westmoreland
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| James Martin (elected 1) | 321 | 39.5 | |
| Robert Jamison (elected 2) | 303 | 37.3 | |
| John Arkins | 189 | 23.3 | |
| Total formal votes | 813 | 100.0 | |
| Informal votes | 0 | 0.0 | |
| Turnout | 487 | 54.4 | |
Polling was conducted on 4 April 1856. Martin represented Counties of Cook and Westmoreland in the old Legislative Council.
Cumberland Boroughs
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| William Bowman (elected) | 129 | 28.2 | |
| Ralph Robey | 124 | 27.1 | |
| William Redman | 115 | 25.1 | |
| Robert Ross | 90 | 19.7 | |
| Total formal votes | 458 | 100.0 | |
| Informal votes | 0 | 0.0 | |
| Turnout | 458 | 65.9 | |
Polling was conducted on 8 April 1856. Bowman represented this seat in the old Legislative Council.