FARNALL, HARRY WARNER (1839-91) was born at Bath, England. Arriving in New Zealand in 1861, he took up land at Whangaparaoa, north Auckland. In 1868 he was elected to the Provincial Council for Northern Division, which he represented in 1868-69 and 1871-72. He sat for the same constituency in Parliament 1869-70 and for Rodney 1871-72.

Farnall resigned to proceed to England as immigration agent. Featherston, as Agent-general, declined to recognise the appointment and Farnall proceeded to North Ireland on behalf of the Auckland provincial government. There he got into touch with G. Vesey Stewart and, supported by the Superintendent (Williamson), negotiated the Katikati settlement and returned to New Zealand with the settlers in the Carisbrooke Castle (1875). Thereafter he identified himself with working-class politics, being secretary of trades unions and of the Trades and Labour Council for a period of more than 40 years. He had considerable literary attainments and wrote a pamphlet, The Industrial Depression in New Zealand; its Cause and its only Cure (1890) and also conducted a paper, The Watchman, to advocate the cause of the masses.

Farnall established in Auckland the Knights of Labour (of which he was recording secretary). He contested the Waitemata and City seats several times as a Liberal. In 1887 he was prominent in the Radical Reform League. He lectured on Anglo-Israelism. His death occurred on 5 Jun 1891.

Gray; N.Z. Herald, 15 Nov 1890, 19 Jun 1891; Auckland Star, 6 Jun 1891. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 1, page 137

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