Date of Birth: 18/09/1841
Place of Birth: Magherafelt, County Londonderry, Ireland
Date of Death: 08/06/1917
Place of Death: Potts Point, New South Wales, Australia
Parliamentary Service
The Lieutenant Governor’s Opening Speech Committee No.1 |
11 Apr 1899 |
11 Apr 1899 |
1 day |
|
North Shore Bridge Bill Committee No. 15 |
26 Oct 1898 |
23 Dec 1898 |
1 month 28 days |
|
Claim of John Brennan against Roads Department Committee No 14 |
11 Oct 1898 |
23 Dec 1898 |
2 months 13 days |
|
Member for Sydney-Denison |
27 Jul 1898 |
11 Jun 1901 |
2 years 10 months 16 days |
|
Claim of John Brennan against Roads Department Committee No.27 |
22 Sep 1896 |
16 Nov 1896 |
1 month 26 days |
|
City and North Sydney Tunnel Roadway Bill Committee No.14 |
01 Jul 1896 |
14 Jul 1896 |
14 days |
|
City and North Sydney Railway Bill Committee No.16 |
12 Dec 1895 |
19 Dec 1895 |
8 days |
|
Member for Sydney-Denison |
24 Jul 1895 |
08 Jul 1898 |
2 years 11 months 15 days |
|
Member for Sydney-Denison |
17 Jul 1894 |
05 Jul 1895 |
11 months 19 days |
|
Member of the NSW Legislative Assembly |
17 Jul 1894 |
11 Jun 1901 |
6 years 10 months 26 days |
|
Qualifications, occupations and interests
Property Manager. Arrived in Sydney with family in 1842 after his father inherited part of estates of Dr John Harris. Educated at normal institution and University of Sydney. (B.A 1863). On reaching 21, he inherited property from his father and spent time managing his real estate. Director of Sydney Hospital from 1896. President from 1912 - 1917; Vice President of Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales; President of Wentworth Park Trust and Australiasian Pioneers Club (1912). Ardent collector of Australiana and Japanese Art.
Honours Received
Knighted in 1899.
Membership of other Parliaments & Offices Held
Local Government Activity
Alderman of the Sydney City Council for Denison Ward, 1 December 1883 - 6 December 1900. Mayor 1898 - 1900.
Personal
Son of John Harris and Nancy Ann McKee. Married Frances Snowdon Lane on 4 August 1868 and had issue, 3 daughters and 8 sons. Presbyterian. His brother, John Harris, was also a member of the Legislative Assembly.
Additional Information
Personal papers in the Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales: Sir
Matthew Harris - papers, 1896 - 1923 (MLMSS 1237).