Nominations: Friday, 21 January 1870, Polling: Saturday, 29 January 1870
Candidate
Votes
Votes %
Abbott, Joseph Palmer
1
0.12
Cowper, Charles (Re-elected)
721
85.63
Parnell, Edward
120
14.25
Formal Votes
842
Informal Votes
0
0.00
Total Votes / Turnout
842
35.56
Cause Category: Ministerial by-election
Notes: By-election caused by Cowper replacing Robertson as Premier, beginning his fifth period as premier. Writ issued by the Governor, the by-election being called before the new parliament convened after the 1869-70 election. It has been presumed that J P Abbott was Joseph Palmer Abbott, later an MP but at the time a solicitor based at Murrurundi.
Source: SMH results, 1 February 1870, p. 5, col. 3 reporting declaration of poll. Evening News report of nominations, 22 January, p.2 col.4, suggests Palmer was supporting Parnell, but unsure of how many supporters were present, nominated himself so that he could call for a poll to be held.