Murray was a single-member electorate from 1859 to 1880, returning two members from 1880 to 1894, returning to a single member electorate from 1894 to 1920. The district created in 1859 included the districts surrounding the towns of Deniliquin, Moama and Moulamein.[2] It was substantially re-created in 1904 as a result of the 1903 New South Wales referendum, which required the number of members of the Legislative Assembly to be reduced from 125 to 90.[3] The member for The Murray from 1894 to 1904 was James Hayes who was appointed to the Legislative Council and did not contest the election.[4]
The district re-created in 1904 consisted of the abolished seat of Wentworth and parts of The Lachlan and the abolished seat of Hay.[5][6] The member for Wentworth was Robert Scobie (Labour).[7] The member for The Lachlan was James Carroll (Progressive) who unsuccessfully contested that seat. The member for Hay was Frank Byrne who did not contest the election.