Nominations: Thursday, 16 July 1863, Polling: Thursday, 23 July 1863
Candidate
Votes
Votes %
Campbell, William Branch
145
26.65
Irving, Clark (Re-elected)
399
73.35
Formal Votes
544
Informal Votes
19
3.37
Total Votes / Turnout
563
33.39
Persons Voting / Turnout
563
33.39
Cause Category: Absence
Notes: Seat declared vacant because Clark Irving had been absent for an entire session without leave. According to the ADB, he had gone to London to promote the setting up of an Anglican diocese for Grafton and Armidale. Note that he was not in the country at the time of the election, the Sydney Mail 5 December 1863, p.7 col.4, reporting a letter received from him in England expressing gratification at being nominated, though the letter indicates he still didn't know he had been re-elected. See also Bradley Bowden's chapter, 'The Northern Rivers', in Hagan (2006) 'People and Politics in Regional New South Wales'.
Source: Report of nominations, Clarence and Richmond Examiner, 21 July 1863, p.2 col.2-5, results published 4 August 1863, p.2 col.3. Incomplete totals published in all Sydney papers.