TASMANIA ==================================================================== LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ==================================================================== THE FIRST PARLIAMENT ELECTED OCTOBER 1856 ==================================================================== The number of enrolled voters in each district is given in a list published in the Hobart Courier, 25 September 1856. Summary -------------------------------------------------------------------- At this first election of the Legislative Council, five members were elected for three-year terms, five for six-year terms, and five for nine-year terms, as follows: Elected for a term expiring 25 September 1859 -------------------------------------------------------------------- * Dr Edward S P Bedford (Hobart) * Thomas Y Lowes (Buckingham) * William Langdon (Derwent) * John Walker (Hobart) * John H Wedge (North Esk) Elected for a term expiring 25 September 1862 -------------------------------------------------------------------- * William S Button (Tamar) * Richard Cleburne (Huon) * Thomas Horne (Hobart) * William E Nairn (Meander) * James Whyte (Pembroke) Elected for a term expiring 25 September 1865 -------------------------------------------------------------------- * Isaac Bisdee (Jordan) * Francis Burgess (Cambridge) * Philip H Gell (South Esk) * William Henty (Tamar) * William P Weston (Longford) However for various reasons this arrangement broke down and members served terms of varying lengths until six-year terms for all members were established. VOTING BY CONSTITUENCY ==================================================================== BUCKINGHAM ==================================================================== Enrolled voters: 396 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: New Town -------------------------------------------------------------------- Nominations 3 October, polling 3 October 1856 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Thomas Y LOWES Unopposed -------------------------------------------------------------------- Thomas Yardley Lowes (1798-1870): Elected 1856 Born: 1798, England Career: To VDL 1824. Commercial agent, auctioneer, lansdowner. Died 5 October 1870 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Hobart Mercury, 6 October 1856 CAMBRIDGE ==================================================================== Enrolled voters: 151 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: Rokeby -------------------------------------------------------------------- Nominations 2 October, polling 8 October 1856 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Francis BURGESS 63 71.6 Dr Coverdale 25 28.4 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 88 21.6 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Francis Burgess (1793-1864): Elected 1856 Born 1793, Leicester Career: British Army, barrister. To VDL 1843, Chief Police Magistrate. Appointive MLC 1843-51. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Resigned on appointment as a magistrate, April 1859: See by-election Died 24 February 1864 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Hobart Courier, 10 October 1856 DERWENT ==================================================================== Enrolled voters: 175 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: Hamilton -------------------------------------------------------------------- Nominations 4 October 1856 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- William LANGDON Unopposed -------------------------------------------------------------------- William Langdon (1790-1879): Elected 1856 Born: 6 November 1790, England Career: Naval officer. To VDL 1823. Landowner. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Launceston Examiner, 9 October 1856 HOBART (3 members) ==================================================================== Enrolled voters: 649 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: New Market Place, Hobart -------------------------------------------------------------------- Nominations 2 October, polling 6 October 1856 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr Edward S P BEDFORD 256 19.4 Charles B Brewer 135 10.2 Thomas HORNE 370 28.0 William E Nairn 252 19.1 John WALKER 308 23.3 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 1,321 -------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. For Nairn, see Meander 2. Walker was MLC for Brighton 1851-54. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Edward Samuel Pickard Bedford (1809-76): Elected 1856 Born: 1809, England Career: Educated London, surgeon. To VDL 1823. Colonial Surgeon 1829. Private practice, many official posts. Bedford retired when his term expired. Died 24 February 1876 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Thomas Horne (1800-70): Elected 1856 Born: 1800, England Career: Educated Oxford University. Barrister 1827. To VDL 1830. Solicitor-General 1841, Attorney-General 1843-58. Puisne judge 1848. Appointive MLC 1841, 1844-57. Horne was a judge and was forced to vacate his seat in 1859: See 1859 elections -------------------------------------------------------------------- President of the Legislative Council 2 December 1856 to 2 September 1859 -------------------------------------------------------------------- John Walker (1799-1874): Elected 1851, 1856 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Minister without office 25 April 1857 to 1 November 1860 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Walker retired when his term expired. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Died 27 February 1874 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Tasmanian Daily News, 8 October 1856 HUON ==================================================================== Enrolled voters: 144 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: Franklin -------------------------------------------------------------------- Nominations 8 October, polling 14 October 1856 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Thomas J KNIGHT Unopposed -------------------------------------------------------------------- Thomas John Knight (1804-70): Elected 1856 Born: 1 November 1804, England Career: Educated Oxford University. Barrister. Judge in Jamaica. To VDL 1841. Appointive MLC 1855. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Solicitor-General from 25 April 1857 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Resigned on acceptance of office: See by-election -------------------------------------------------------------------- Launceston Examiner, 11 October 1856 JORDAN ==================================================================== Enrolled voters: 208 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: Oatlands -------------------------------------------------------------------- Nominations 4 October, polling 9 October 1856 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Edward BISDEE 86 64.2 James MacLanachan 48 35.8 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 134 14.2 -------------------------------------------------------------------- For MacLanachan, see House of Assembly 1862, Oatlands -------------------------------------------------------------------- Edward Bisdee (1802-70): Elected 1856 Born: 16 August 1802, England Career: To VDL 1827. Farmer. Brother of Isaac Bisdee MLC Resigned April 1858: See by-election Died 2 April 1870 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Hobart Courier, 13 October 1856 LONGFORD ==================================================================== Enrolled voters: 165 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: -------------------------------------------------------------------- Nominations 4 October, polling 10 October 1856 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Robert Q KERMODE -------------------------------------------------------------------- Kermode was MLC for Campbell Town 1851-55 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Robert Quayle Kermode (1812-70): Elected 1851, 1856 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Minister without office 25 April 1857 to 12 May 1857 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Resigned May 1857: see by-election Later career: See House of Assembly, Ringwood by-election 1857 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Launceston Examiner, 9 October 1856 MEANDER ==================================================================== Enrolled voters: 317 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: Police office, Torquay -------------------------------------------------------------------- Nominations 11 October 1856 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- William E NAIRN Unopposed -------------------------------------------------------------------- William Edward Nairn (1812-69): Elected 1856 Born: 1812, England Career: Educated Oxford University. To VDL 1837. Assistant to the Colonial Secretary, other official posts -------------------------------------------------------------------- Minister without office 1 November 1856 to 26 February 1857 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Cornwall Chronicle, 15 October 1856 NORTH ESK ==================================================================== Enrolled voters: 151 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: Evandale -------------------------------------------------------------------- Nominations 3 October 1856 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- John H WEDGE Unopposed -------------------------------------------------------------------- Wedge was MLC for Morven 1855-56. -------------------------------------------------------------------- John Helder Wedge (1793-1872): Elected 1855 by, 1856 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Minister without office 26 February 1857 to 25 April 1857 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Wedge contested Tamar at the 1859 election. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Launceston Examiner, 7 October 1856 PEMBROKE ==================================================================== Enrolled voters: 134 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: Blue Bell inn, Sorell -------------------------------------------------------------------- Nominations 7 October, polling 13 October -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- James WHYTE Unopposed -------------------------------------------------------------------- James Whyte (1820-82): Elected 1856 Born: 30 March 1820, Scotland Career: To VDL 1832. Merchant, landowner, newspaper owner. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Minister without office 26 February 1857 to 25 April 1857 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Launceston Examiner, 9 October 1856 SOUTH ESK ==================================================================== Enrolled voters: 126 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: Rainbow Hotel, Campbell Town -------------------------------------------------------------------- Nominations 7 October, polling 19 October 1856 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Philip H Gell 37 44.6 Philip T SMITH 46 55.4 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 83 -------------------------------------------------------------------- For Gell, see South Esk by-election. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Philip Thomas Smith (1800-80): Elected 1856 Born: August 1800, England Career: Naval officer. To VDL 1832. Farmer, lawyer. Resigned February 1858: See by-election Died 14 March 1880 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Hobart Mercury, 17 October 1856 TAMAR (2 members) ==================================================================== Enrolled voters: 363 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: Market Place, Launceston -------------------------------------------------------------------- Nominations 6 October, polling 11 October 1856 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- William S BUTTON 124 34.3 William HENTY 148 40.9 Alexander Stewart 90 24.9 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 362 -------------------------------------------------------------------- William Stammers Button (1795-1876): Elected 1856 Born: 1795, England Career: To VDL 1833. Brewer, merchant. -------------------------------------------------------------------- William Henty (1808-81): Elected 1856 Born: 23 September 1808, England Career: To VDL 1837. Lawyer, several official posts. Brother of Charles S Henty MHA, and of three Vic MLAs. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Colonial Secretary from 12 May 1857 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Resigned on acceptance of office May 1857: See by-election -------------------------------------------------------------------- Launceston Examiner, 14 October 1856 BY-ELECTIONS 1856-61 ==================================================================== LONGFORD ==================================================================== Following the resignation of Robert Q Kermode -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: Longford -------------------------------------------------------------------- Nominations 14 May 1857 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Hon William P WESTON Unopposed -------------------------------------------------------------------- Weston was MHA for Ringwood 1856-57. -------------------------------------------------------------------- William Pritchard Weston (1804-88): Elected 1856. Resigned 1857. Elected 1857 by Term to expire 25 September 1865 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Minister without office 12 May 1857 to 1 November 1860 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Cornwall Chronicle, 20 May 1857 HUON ==================================================================== Following acceptance of office by Hon Thomas J Knight -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: Franklin -------------------------------------------------------------------- Nominations 7 May, polling 13 May 1857 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Richard CLEBURNE 57 51.8 Thomas J Knight 53 48.2 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 110 01.8 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Knight was MLC for Huon 1856-57 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Richard Cleburne (1799-1864): Elected 1851. Retired 1856. Elected 1857 by Term to expire 25 September 1862 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Hobart Courier, 15 May 1857 TAMAR ==================================================================== Following acceptance of office by Hon William Henty -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: Market Place, Launceston -------------------------------------------------------------------- Nominations 12 May, polling 12 May 1857 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Thomas W Field 67 35.6 William HENTY 121 64.4 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 188 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Field was MHA for Westbury 1856-62. Apparently at this time he was able to nominate for this seat while not resigning his seat in the House of Assembly. A public meeting was held in Westbury to protest his conduct. -------------------------------------------------------------------- William Henty (1808-81): Elected 1856. Accepted office 1857. Elected 1857 by -------------------------------------------------------------------- Hobart Courier, 18 May 1857 LONGFORD ==================================================================== Following acceptance of office by Hon William P Weston -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: -------------------------------------------------------------------- Nominations 22 May 1857 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Hon William P WESTON Unopposed -------------------------------------------------------------------- Weston was MHA for Ringwood 1856-57. -------------------------------------------------------------------- William Pritchard Weston (1804-88): Elected 1856. Resigned 1857. Elected 1857 by. Accepted office 1857. Elected 1857 by Term to expire 25 September 1865 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Minister without office 12 May 1857 to 1 November 1860 Premier without office to 1 November 1860 to 2 August 1861 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Term to expire 25 September 1865 Resigned 14 August 1861 Died 21 February 1888 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Hobart Town Advertiser, 23 May 1857 SOUTH ESK ==================================================================== Following the resignation of Philip T Smith -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: Rainbow Hotel, Campbell Town -------------------------------------------------------------------- Nominations 19 Marchpolling 1858 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Philip H GELL Unopposed -------------------------------------------------------------------- Philip Hoskins Gell (1822-83): Elected 1858 by Born: 1822, England Career: To VDL 1843. Surveyor and farmer. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Hobart Mercury, 23 March 1858 JORDAN ==================================================================== Following the resignation of Edward Bisbee -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: Green Ponds -------------------------------------------------------------------- Nominations 8 May, polling 13 May 1858 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Isaac BISDEE Unopposed -------------------------------------------------------------------- Isaac Bisdee (1813-68): Elected 1858 by Born: 7 April 1813, England Career: to VDL 1821. Farmer. Brother of Edward Bisdee MLC -------------------------------------------------------------------- Hobart Courier, 12 May 1858 CAMBRIDGE ==================================================================== Following the resignation of Francis Burgess -------------------------------------------------------------------- Place of nomination: Rokeby -------------------------------------------------------------------- Nominations 6 May 1859 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Candidate Party Votes % -------------------------------------------------------------------- Hon John C GREGSON Unopposed -------------------------------------------------------------------- Gregson was MHA for Norfolk Plains 1856-59. -------------------------------------------------------------------- John Compton Gregson (1821-67): Elected 1856. Accepted office 1857. Elected 1857 by. Resigned 1859. Elected 1859 by Term to expire 25 September 1865 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Hobart Town Advertiser, 9 May 1859