title: 1866 Patrick's Plains colonial by-election
text: # 1866 Patrick's Plains colonial by-election
  
  A by-election was held for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorate of Patrick's Plains on 8 February 1866 because Bowie Wilson had been appointed Secretary for Lands in the second Martin ministry. Such ministerial by-elections were usually uncontested however on this occasion a poll was required in Patrick's Plains and Yass Plains (Robert Isaacs). Both ministers were comfortably re-elected with more than 70% of the vote. The other ministers James Martin (The Lachlan), Henry Parkes (Kiama), James Byrnes (Parramatta) and Geoffrey Eagar (West Sydney) were re-elected unopposed.
  
  Mr E E Darvall was a bank clerk, the son of John Darvall, the former attorney general. This was the only occasion on which he stood for parliament.
  
  John Heuston was a burlesque candidate, apparently winning a £10 bet for nominating, but withdrew before the poll.
  
  ## Dates
  
  | Date | Event |
  | - | - |
  | 22 January 1866 | Second Martin ministry appointed. |
  | 23 January 1866 | Writ of election issued by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. |
  | 5 February 1866 | Nominations at Singleton. |
  | 8 February 1866 | Polling day. |
  | 17 February 1866 | Return of writ |
  
  ## Polling places
  
  * Singleton
  * Belford
  * Camberwell
  * Warkworth
  * Jerry's Plains
  * Broke
  
  ## Result
  
  1866 Patrick's Plains by-election Thursday 8 February :
  
  | Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % |
  | - | - | - | - |
  | Bowie Wilson (re-elected) | Bowie Wilson (re-elected) | 339 | 70.5 |
  | E E Darvall | E E Darvall | 142 | 29.5 |
  | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 481 | 100.0 |
  | Informal votes | Informal votes | 0 | 0.0 |
  | Turnout | Turnout | 481 | 29.4 |
  