James Farnell
James Farnell | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 8thPremier of New South Wales | |
| In office 18 December 1877 – 20 December 1878 | |
| Governor | Sir Hercules Robinson |
| Preceded by | John Robertson |
| Succeeded by | Henry Parkes |
| Personal details | |
| Born | James Squire Farnell 25 June 1825 St Leonards, New South Wales |
| Died | 21 August 1888(aged 63) Petersham, New South Wales |
| Spouse |
Margaret O'Donnell (m.1853) |
| Children | Frank Farnell |
James Squire Farnell(25 June 1825 – 21 August 1888) was an Australian politician andPremier of New South Wales.[1]Farnell was a hard-working legislator who gave much study to the land question and also tried hard for some years to pass a bill for the regulation of contagious diseases.[2]
Early years[edit]
Farnell was born inSt Leonards,New South Wales,son of Thomas Charles Farnell, a brewer, and Mary Ann Farnell, daughter ofJames Squire,[3]an EnglishRomanichal,[4]who arrived on theFirst Fleetand may have been Australia's first brewer.[5]He was educated atParramatta.[3]At a comparatively early age he began travelling with stock and learnt much about his own colony. TheCalifornia Gold Rushin 1849 led to his visiting America, and he also travelled inNew Zealandbefore finally returning to New South Wales.[2]
Political career[edit]
In 1860, Farnell won theby-electionfor theLegislative Assemblyseat ofSt Leonards,[6]but was defeated at the next election for the seat ofCentral Cumberland.[7]He was returned atParramattain 1864 and held the seat for 10 years.[8]He becameSecretary for Landsin thefirst Parkes ministryfrom May 1872 to February 1875, and for a short period was alsoSecretary for Mines.He was defeated for1874 election for Parramatta,[8]but was returned to parliamentelection for St Leonardsheld 11 days later, serving until 1882.[6][1]
From December 1876 until October 1877, Farnell was the chairman of committees, but towards the end of that year he organised a "Third Party", in November carried an amendment to the address in reply by two votes, and theRobertson ministryresigned.[2][1]
Premier[edit]
Farnell succeeded in forming a ministry and on 18 December 1877 and took office as the first Australian-born Premier, choosing the portfolio of Secretary for Lands.[1]In October 1878 he brought in a land bill which was defeated on 5 December. Farnell resigned and was succeeded by thethird Parkes ministry.[9]
Subsequent career[edit]
Farnell was unsuccessful in his candidacy forParramatta at the 1882 election,[8]but was returned to parliament at theelection for New Englandheld 2 weeks later.[10]From 1882 to 1885, he representedNew England.When theStuart ministrywas formed in January 1883, Farnell was again Secretary for Lands, and showed much patience and tact in his management of the land bill which became law in 1884. In the succeedingDibbs ministryformed in October 1885 he wasMinister of Justiceand representative of the ministry in theRepresentative of the Government in the Legislative Council,having been appointed to theLegislative Councilon the same day, but resigned from the ministry 2 days later.[1]In 1887, he resigned from the Legislative Council to successfully contestRedfernas aFree Tradecandidate at theelection on 5 Februaryand represented that constituency until his death.[1][11]
He died inPetersham.His wife survived him with 11 children, one of whom,Frank Farnell,was a member of the Legislative Assembly forCentral Cumberlandat the time of his father's death and laterRyde.[2][12]
Honours[edit]
Farnell declined a knighthood.[2]
Farnell wasGrand Masterof theGrand Lodge of New South Wales,installed on 3 December 1877.[3][13]
References[edit]
- ^abcdef"Mr James Squire Farnell (1825–1888)".Former members of theParliament of New South Wales.Retrieved11 May2019.
- ^abcdeSerle, Percival(1949)."Farnell, James Squire (1827–1888)".Dictionary of Australian Biography.Sydney:Angus & Robertson.Retrieved6 April2007.
- ^abcGoodin, V W E."Farnell, James Squire (1825–1888)".Australian Dictionary of Biography.Canberra: National Centre of Biography,Australian National University.ISBN978-0-522-84459-7.ISSN1833-7538.OCLC70677943.Retrieved12 August2013.
- ^Acton, T A & Mundy, G (1997).Romani Culture and Gypsy Identity.University of Hertfordshire Press. p.74.ISBN9780900458767.
- ^Walsh, G P."Squire, James (1754–1822)".Australian Dictionary of Biography.Canberra: National Centre of Biography,Australian National University.ISBN978-0-522-84459-7.ISSN1833-7538.OCLC70677943.Retrieved28 January2021.
- ^abGreen, Antony."Elections for St Leonards".New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007.Parliament of New South Wales.Retrieved28 January2021.
- ^Green, Antony."1860 Central Cumberland".New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007.Parliament of New South Wales.Retrieved3 July2020.
- ^abcGreen, Antony."Elections for Parramatta".New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007.Parliament of New South Wales.Retrieved3 July2020.
- ^"Part 6 Ministries since 1856"(PDF).NSW Parliamentary Record.Parliament of New South Wales.Retrieved28 January2021.
- ^Green, Antony."Elections for New England".New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007.Parliament of New South Wales.Retrieved28 January2021.
- ^Green, Antony."1887 Redfern".New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007.Parliament of New South Wales.Retrieved28 January2021.
- ^"Mr Frank Farnell (1862-1929)".Former members of theParliament of New South Wales.Retrieved22 May2019.
- ^Mennell, Philip(1892)..The Dictionary of Australasian Biography.London: Hutchinson & Co – viaWikisource.
