December 1870 Goldfields South colonial by-election

A by-election was held for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorate of Goldfields South on 12 December 1870 as a result of the Legislative Assembly declaring the election of Ezekiel Baker was void. Baker had been appointed to conduct a Royal Commission to inquire into the laws and regulations of the goldfields and for securing a permanent water supply. The Committee of Elections and Qualifications held that this appointment was an office of profit under the crown which meant he was incapable of being elected, or of sitting, or voting, as a member of the Assembly.

Polling places

 * Adelong
 * Kimo, near Gundagai
 * Grenfell
 * Quondong
 * Wombat
 * Elrington, now known as Majors Creek
 * Kiandra
 * Upper Adelong
 * Broken-cart Creek, near Talbingo
 * Reedy Flat, now known as Batlow
 * Araluen
 * Mongarlowe
 * Jembaicumbene
 * Junee
 * Sebastopol.

Result
The Committee of Elections and Qualifications held that the appointment of Ezekiel Baker to conduct a Royal Commission into the goldfields meant that he held an office of profit under the crown and his election was declared void.