James Farnell

 ( 1825 Births ) 

James Squire Farnell (25 June 1825 – 21 August 1888) was an Australian politician and Premier of New South Wales.

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Early years Farnell was born in St Leonards, New South Wales, son of Thomas Charles Farnell, a brewer, and Mary Ann Farnell, daughter of James Squire, an English Romanichal,

(1997). 9780900458767, University of Hertfordshire Press. . ISBN 9780900458767

who arrived on the First Fleet and may have been Australia's first brewer. He was educated at Parramatta. He visited America and New Zealand during the California Gold Rush in 1849.

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Political career

In 1860, Farnell won the by-election for the Legislative Assembly seat of St Leonards, but was defeated at the next election for the seat of Central Cumberland. In 1864 he won the seat of Parramatta, which he held for the next 10 years. He was Secretary for Lands between May 1872 and February 1875. He also spent time as Secretary for Mines. He was defeated for 1874 election for Parramatta, but was returned to parliament election for St Leonards held 11 days later, serving until 1882.

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Premier

Farnell became premier on 18 December 1877 and took office as the first Australian-born Premier, choosing the portfolio of Secretary for Lands. Farnell resigned in October 1878 and was succeeded by the third Parkes ministry.

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Subsequent career

Farnell was unsuccessful in his candidacy for Parramatta at the 1882 election, but was returned to parliament at the election for New England held 2 weeks later. From 1882 to 1885, he represented New England. In January 1883, Farnell again became Secretary for Lands. He then became Minister of Justice and Representative of the Government in the Legislative Council in October 1885, having been appointed to the Legislative Council on the same day, but resigned from the ministry 2 days later. In 1887, he resigned from the Legislative Council to successfully contest Redfern as a Free Trade candidate at the election on 5 February and represented that constituency until his death.

He died in Petersham. His son Frank Farnell was a member of the Legislative Assembly for Central Cumberland.

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Honours

Farnell declined a knighthood.

Farnell was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New South Wales, installed on 3 December 1877.

 

Categories: 1825 Births, 1888 Deaths, Australian People Of English Descent, Premiers Of New South Wales, Colonial Secretaries Of New South Wales, Members Of The New South Wales Legislative Assembly, Australian People Of Romani Descent, 19th-century Australian Politicians, Romanichal People, Ministers For Justice, Colony Of New South Wales Politicians

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