Moreton, Wide Bay, Burnett and Maranoa - 1858 (Roll: 275)
Nominations: Wednesday, 27 January 1858, Polling: Friday, 12 February 1858
Candidate
Votes
Votes %
Macalister, Arthur
52
48.15
Tooth, William Butler (Elected)
56
51.85
Formal Votes
108
Informal Votes
0
0.00
Total Votes / Turnout
108
39.27
Notes: Sitting MP Patrick Leslie did not contest the election. (Reason not known). This result produced a protracted Elections and Qualifications Committee inquiry. The returning officer originally returned the writ stating that no person had been elected. His reason was that the lack of a mail service prevented polls being taken in several places and the returning officer could therefore not certify a candidate as being elected. The winning candidate WB Tooth lodged a petition stating he should have been duly elected. The Committee instructed the Returning Officer to return the writ.
Source: Report of nominations, Moreton Bay Courier, 30 January 1858, p.3 col.1-3, results Moreton Bay Courier, 3 March, p.2 col.3. See also North Australian and Ipswich General Advertiser, nominations 2 February, p.3 col.3-4, results 2 March, p.2?, col.5-6. North Australian nominations re-printed in SMH, 6 February, p.5 col.2-3.