Richard Stevenson Protectionist William Zuill Independent Protectionist The 1899 Northumberland colonial by-election was held on 20 June 1899 to elect the member for Northumberland in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, following the death of Protectionist MP Richard Stevenson.

[1] The vote was held on the same day as a statewide referendum on the subject of federation, which was an issue throughout the campaign.

[4] On 9 June 1899, Protectionist-endorsed candidate William Schey withdrew shortly after candidate nominations closed to avoid splitting the vote with Independent Protectionist candidate John Norton.

[5][6] Five days later, William Melville withdrew and endorsed fellow Federalist candidate William Snape.

[7][8] Norton won the seat with 52.6% of the vote, defeating Free Trade candidate (and former Northumberland MP) Henry Wheeler.