title: October 1856 Sydney Hamlets colonial by-election
text: # October 1856 Sydney Hamlets colonial by-election
  
  A by-election was held for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorate of Sydney Hamlets on 10 October 1856 because Stuart Donaldson was appointed Colonial Treasurer in the Parker ministry. Under the constitution, ministers were required to resign to recontest their seats in a by-election when appointed. Of the other ministers, Henry Parker narrowly won the by election for Parramatta. John Darvall comfortably won the by-election for Cumberland North Riding, and William Manning comfortably won the by-election for Cumberland South Riding. Only John Hay (Murrumbidgee) was re-elected unopposed.
  
  ## Dates
  
  | Date | Event |
  | - | - |
  | 6 June 1856 | Stuart Donaldson appointed Colonial Treasurer. |
  | 3 October 1856 | Writ of election issued by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. |
  | 13 October 1856 | Nominations |
  | 16 October 1856 | Polling day |
  | 20 October 1856 | Return of writ |
  
  ## Result
  
  October 1856 Sydney Hamlets by-election 10 October :
  
  | Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % |
  | - | - | - | - |
  | John Campbell (elected) | John Campbell (elected) | 870 | 55.7 |
  | Stuart Donaldson (defeated) | Stuart Donaldson (defeated) | 691 | 44.3 |
  | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 1,561 | 100.0 |
  | Informal votes | Informal votes | 0 | 0.0 |
  | Turnout | Turnout | 1,561 | 51.6 |
  
  ## Aftermath
  
  Stuart Donaldson re-gained a seat in the parliament at the November 1856 by-election for Cumberland South Riding,
  
  