[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.

The California Gold Rush in 1849 led to his visiting America, and he also travelled in New Zealand before finally returning to New South Wales.

[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 the Robertson ministry resigned.

[1] 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.

His wife survived him with 11 children, one of whom, Frank Farnell, was a member of the Legislative Assembly for Central Cumberland at the time of his father's death and later Ryde.