1856 Christchurch Country by-election

The Christchurch Country by-election 1856 was a by-election held in the multi-member Christchurch Country electorate during the 2nd New Zealand Parliament, on 14 October 1856, and was, along with the Grey and Bell 1856 by-election, the second equal contested by-election in New Zealand political history.

1856 Christchurch Country by-election

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Turnout311
 
Candidate John Ollivier Crosbie Ward
Party Independent Independent
Popular vote 191 120
Percentage 61.4% 38.6%

MP before election

Dingley Askham Brittin
Independent

Elected MP

John Ollivier
Independent

The by-election was caused by the resignation of incumbent MP Dingley Brittin on 7 July 1856.[1]

The election was won by John Ollivier. On nomination day (13 October) Ollivier and Crosbie Ward were nominated, and after a show of hands in favour of Ollivier, Ward demanded a poll. Ollivier was subsequently elected the following day.[2][3]

Results

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1856 Christchurch Country by-election[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent John Ollivier 191 61.4
Independent Crosbie Ward 120 38.6
Turnout 311
Majority 71

References

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  1. ^ Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First ed. published 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. p. 185. OCLC 154283103.
  2. ^ "Canterbury". Daily Southern Cross. Vol. XIII, no. 978. 11 November 1856. p. 3. Retrieved 1 May 2013.
  3. ^ a b "Local Intelligence". Lyttelton Times. Vol. VI, no. 412. 15 October 1856. p. 7. Retrieved 29 May 2013.