Nominations: Wednesday, 16 February 1887, Polling: Saturday, 26 February 1887
Candidate
Party
Votes
Votes %
Abbott, Joseph Palmer (Re-elected 1)
Protectionist
939
34.48
Browne, Thomas Frederick De Courcy (Defeated)
Protectionist
636
23.36
Fergusson, William John (Defeated)
Protectionist
369
13.55
MacGregor, William Peter (Re-elected 2)
Ind Free Trade
779
28.61
Formal Votes
2,723
Informal Votes
38
1.38
Total Votes / Estimated Turnout
2,761
25.71
Persons Voting / Turnout
1,583
29.08
Notes: Edward Quin did not re-contest. J P Abbott was sitting MP for Gunnedah, Fergusson for Glen Innes and Browne for Mudgee. According to his ADB entry, Abbot was returned as MP for Wentworth without his consent. The DT classifies MacGregor as a Free Trade Opposition candidate, so he is classified as Independent Free Trade.
Source: Totals used taken from the SMH 3 March 1887, p.7 col.5, reported as 'the returns are now in'. Booths details printed on different days, some on 1 March 1887, p.9 col.2, others on 28 February, p.3 col.2. Incomplete returns published in election summary 28 February 1887, p.12 col.4. Year-Book of Australia (1888) gave slightly different totals, Abbott with 940 votes and MacGregor 780. Daily Telegraph 2 March, p.6 col.1, has different totals again, Abbott 963, MacGregor 772, Browne 679 and Fergusson 361. Totals published in the Silver Age 2 March were incomplete, and the relevant issue of the Wilcannia Times is not available at the NSW State Library.
Corrections: Statistical Register includes only an approximate number of informal votes.