A by-election was held for the
New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorate of
West Sydney on 8 January 1863 because
William Windeyer resigned.
[1] Windeyer was a member of the victorious NSW rifle team which had traveled to Melbourne for a rifle match. They were returning to Sydney on the
City of Sydney, an iron steamship, when it struck rocks and sank at
Green Cape.
[2][3] While all passengers and crew survived, the
Australian Dictionary of Biography states it affected Windeyer's mental and physical health which led to his resignation.
[4] Windeyer's letter to the electors of West Sydney refers to the successful passage of the
Lands Act,
[5] the abolition of state aid to religion,
[6] and the pursuit of his profession as a barrister.
[7]