Originally established by Arthur Bouricault as The Northern Argus in 1863, the newspaper began publication as The Daily Northern Argus on 1 January 1875. In late 1880 or early 1881, Bouricault sold his interest to P. F. MacDonald, who quickly sold again to Nixon & Company in August 1881. The major shareholder of the company, Francis Nixon, served as managing director and editor of the newspaper until his death by suicide in November 1883. The Daily Northern Argus was then sold to a limited liability company.
'First penny paper published north of Brisbane.'
Source: Gordon & Gotch, Australasian Newspaper Directory (1888): 40