A by-election was held for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorate of Kiama on 13 January 1887 because of the resignation of Harman Tarrant,[1] due to the pressures of his professional practice as a surgeon.
[2] This by-election was at the emergence of political parties in New South Wales.
Both candidates were supporters of free trade, with Sir Henry Parkes campaigning in support of Angus Cameron.
[5] Bruce Smith similarly supported free trade principles,[6] but was of a more independent mind, stating at the nomination that he would not "follow blindly the lead of Sir Henry Parkes or that of any other gentleman".
Cameron was re-elected unopposed at the election on 9 February as a Free Trade candidate.