AustLit

In September 1849 Farrand purchased for £450 the Bathurst Advocate's press, types and building from Benjamin Isaacs (q. v.). On 6 October 1849 Farrand as editor, printer, publisher and sole proprietor, launched a new newspaper title, the Bathurst Free Press. He continued in this role until 1858 when he sold the newspaper to John Charles White (q. v.). Farrand moved to Forbes where he edited the Lachlan Observer and Miners' Advocate. He was appointed a magistrate and coroner for the Forbes District.

Source: Kirkpatrick, Rod, Country Conscience, (pp.15, 213, 353).

On 16 March 1868 a Public Meeting at Forbes passed the following resolutions regarding Mr William Farrand, consisting of :

1. His gross irregularity and frequent inattention to his public duties subjecting all parties concerned to serious disappointment, inconvenience and loss

2. Stirring up strife and formenting disputes and unfairly using the Press as an instrument of oppression and corruption

3. His want of experience to entertain mining disputes and failure to maintain the confidence of that community

4. His strong personal animus and frequent partiality as a Magistrate and also mal-administration of public justice

5. His tippling habits and conducting and speaking of official business in Public Houses and associating and drinking with both principals and witnesses in cases sub-judice as well as overbearing conduct and offensive behaviour to those appearing before him.

With regard to the charges of unfairly using the Press: 'the findings were that Mr Farrand did write two articles in the "Lachlan Chronicle" as well as articles in other newspapers, without realising that holding a Public Office in the Government Service precluded him from writing in Public Newspapers, that although he knew it was improper for him to do so, he wrote an article in the "Bathurst Times" appearing to be written by some impartial person and not by Mr Farrand himself, but that since the discussion held in the Legislative Assembly there is no proof that Mr Farrand wrote any articles, except that appearing in the "Bathurst Times" on 25 March 1868. In some instances Mr Farrand was indiscreet in permitting persons to speak to him regarding their alleged claims or rights, but there is no proof of him stirring up strife or formenting disputes.'

For a full list of charges and findings against Farrand see NSW State Records Online entry for Royal Commission of Enquiry into certain charges referred against and by Mr Farrand, Police Magistrate and Mr Parker, Clerk of Petty Sessions, at Forbes.