title: 1879 East Sydney colonial by-election
text: # 1879 East Sydney colonial by-election
  
  A by-election was held for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorate of East Sydney on 15 July 1879 because Alexander Stuart resigned. Stuart had been appointed agent-general however he was unable to take up the position due to financial difficulties.
  
  ## Dates
  
  | Date | Event |
  | - | - |
  | 25 November 1879 | Alexander Stuart resigned. |
  | 26 November 1879 | Writ of election issued by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. |
  | 15 December 1879 | Nominations |
  | 17 December 1879 | Polling day |
  | 23 December 1879 | Return of writ |
  
  ## Result
  
  1879 East Sydney by-election Wednesday 17 December :
  
  | Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % |
  | - | - | - | - |
  | Arthur Renwick (elected) | Arthur Renwick (elected) | 4,663 | 61.5 |
  | Robert Tooth | Robert Tooth | 2,748 | 36.2 |
  | John Dowie | John Dowie | 147 | 1.9 |
  | Thomas Dalveen | Thomas Dalveen | 28 | 0.4 |
  | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 7,586 | 98.9 |
  | Informal votes | Informal votes | 82 | 1.1 |
  | Turnout | Turnout | 7,668 | 54.7 |
  