title: 1871 Canterbury colonial by-election
text: # 1871 Canterbury colonial by-election
  
  A by-election for the seat of Canterbury in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly was held on 6 January 1871 because of the resignation of Montagu Stephen due to ill health.
  
  ## Dates
  
  | Date | Event |
  | - | - |
  | 14 December 1870 | Writ of election issued by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and close of electoral rolls. |
  | 2 January 1871 | Nominations at Ashfield |
  | 6 January 1871 | Polling day |
  | 31 January 1871 | Return of writ |
  
  ## Results
  
  1871 Canterbury by-election Friday 6 January :
  
  | Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % |
  | - | - | - | - |
  | John Lucas (elected) | John Lucas (elected) | 1,388 | 62.2 |
  | William Henson | William Henson | 844 | 37.8 |
  | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 2,232 | 100.0 |
  | Informal votes | Informal votes | 0 | 0.00 |
  | Turnout | Turnout | 2,232 | 45.2 |
  