title: 1885 Central Cumberland colonial by-election
text: # 1885 Central Cumberland colonial by-election
  
  A by-election was held for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorate of Central Cumberland on 21 November 1885 because of the resignation of John Lackey who was appointed to the Legislative Council.
  
  ## Dates
  
  | Date | Event |
  | - | - |
  | 30 August 1885 | John Lackey resigned. |
  | 9 September 1885 | Writ of election issued by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. |
  | 18 September 1885 | Nominations |
  | 24 September 1885 | Polling day |
  | 29 September 1885 | Return of writ |
  
  ## Result
  
  1885 Central Cumberland by-election Thursday 24 September :
  
  | Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % |
  | - | - | - | - |
  | Varney Parkes (elected) | Varney Parkes (elected) | 1,266 | 51.3 |
  | Nathaniel Bull | Nathaniel Bull | 1,203 | 48.7 |
  | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 2,469 | 97.2 |
  | Informal votes | Informal votes | 70 | 2.8 |
  | Turnout | Turnout | 2,539 | 42.2 |
  