In 1934, the Dominion of Newfoundland surrendered its constitution to the Crown and ceased to have a legislature in order to be ruled by London through the Commission of Government.
The next House of Assembly was not elected until 27 May 1949 after Newfoundland had become the tenth province of Canada on 31 March 1949, following the 1948 referendum on joining Canadian confederation.
As much information as is currently available about the dates of election, number of members returned, and the result by party, is set out below.
Prior to the province been granted colony status in 1832, Newfoundland had no elected form of government.
Other colonies were soon established and were likewise governed by individuals with keen interest to reap the benefits to its mercantile owners in England.
In 1824, when Newfoundland was granted Colonial status the then governor Sir Thomas Cochrane appointed an advisory council without any real power.
[1] With the arrival of Dr. William Carson to Newfoundland, who was very familiar with British constitutional law, a concerted effort was made to influence the residents to form Representative Government.
Brooking was chosen as chairman of the committee to make representation to the British Parliament in January 1832.
[1] Governor Cochrane returned to Newfoundland in August with the power to call an election and did so on 25 September 1832.
Support grew for the introduction of a government responsible to the Assembly, which was being introduced elsewhere in British North America about this time.
With this election, Newfoundland becomes the last British colony in North America to achieve responsible government.
The Liberals were a largely Catholic party, which depended on Methodist support to defeat the mostly Anglican Conservative opposition.
The Assembly decided not to seat any claimants from the disputed election, although the Conservatives won the subsequent by-election.
Shortly before the next election Hugh Hoyles was replaced as Premier by a more conciliatory Conservative, Frederick Carter, who was anxious to reduce sectarian strife and bring some Catholics into the cabinet.
Total Assembly membership: 32 The election was contested by a Reform Party which replaced Whiteway's Conservatives.
Thorburn broke his election promise by inviting Catholic Liberals to join his government.
Total Assembly membership: 32 William Whiteway began a new Premiership, but he was not as vigorous as he had been in his previous term of office.
In February 1895 he passed a law to lift the electoral disqualification of Whiteway and then resigned in his favour.
Bond is accounted the best of Newfoundland's Premiers and the early 20th century was one of the rare periods of prosperity in island history.
The so-called United Opposition Party was reinforced when Edward Patrick Morris resigned from Bond's government.
Newfoundland was recognized as a Dominion of the British Empire (the same status as that of Canada, Australia and New Zealand) in 1907.
Sir Robert Bond did not feel he could continue with this Assembly, as once his party provided a Speaker they would be in a voting minority.
William Coaker of the Fishermen's Protective Union decided to set up a political party.
When Sir Edward Patrick Morris resigned in 1918, the Liberal leader William Lloyd was invited to lead the coalition government.
In May 1919 the People's Party leader, Sir Michael Cashin, moved a motion of no confidence in a ministry he seems to have quit minutes before.
The new prime minister was Walter Stanley Monroe, a businessman who promoted legislation, which some Newfoundlanders considered unduly benefited the rich.
Sir Richard Squires became prime minister for the second time with the support of the Union Party.
They were prevented from invading the floor of the Assembly, but Squires fled out of a side door and went into hiding for a few days.
The British government commissioned William Warrender Mackenzie, 1st Baron Amulree to conduct a study of the situation in Newfoundland.
The Commission of Government came into operation on 16 February 1934 ending more than a century of legislative democracy in Newfoundland.