Geelong Lawyers' Collection: Thomas Charles HarwoodTypewritten Obituary from Geelong Advertiser, 1912
Hon. T.C. Harwood, M.L.C. Veteran Lawyer and Politician Passes. The death of Mr. Thomas Charles Harwood, M.L.C., for the South-Western Province of Victoria, occurred at his residence, "Hawthorn," Skene street, Newtown, shortly after 7 o'clock last evening. He had reached his 87th year. For a little more than a week Mr. Harwood had been confined to his home with a severe illness, and he gradually sank. His death brings to a close a useful and honorable career. The deceased gentleman, who was a native of Camberwell, London, arrived in Geelong early in the year 1850, and went into business as a solicitor with Mr. Woolley. The firm was then known as Woolley and Harwood, and was changed in turn to Sandford and Harwood, T.C. Harwood, Harwood and Pincott, Harwood, Son and Pincott, and finally Harwood and Pincott again. Mr. Harwood has remained in Geelong practically ever since 1850. Although he was keenly interested in politics it was not until 1899 that he entered a position as a legislator. In that year he took the place of the late Hon. J.H. Connor (who died on 24th June, 1899) in the Legislative Council of Victoria, and has sat continuously without opposition ever since. In the stirring days when Sir Graham Berry was such a prominent figure in the political world, Mr. Harwood twice stood unsuccessfully in the Conservative interests for the Legislative Assembly. When he was elected to the Legislative Council he at once made his presence felt, and was respected and appealed to on the many matters with which a wide range of reading had made him so conversant. After hearing his first speeches in the House, one political writer, "Timotheus," referred to him in high terms of eulogy, and said the community had sustained a loss which might have been avoided if Mr. Harwood had been elected to Parliament earlier in life. He was, of course, an elderly man when he made his debut in this public state. Some years later he was the unofficial leader of the House, and lately was Chairman of Committees. In these capacities he had the respect of all members, and carried out the duties with thoroughness and ability for which he was notable. Regular in his attendance at the House, he took the keenest interest in the debates, and voiced his opinions fluently and forcibly. Measures affecting the district which he represented were always carefully watched. He took a prominent part in securing the passage of the Water and Sewerage Bill. When the Bent Government proposed a comprehensive railway scheme for the Western district, involving the compulsory acquisition of large estates, Mr. Harwood was a strenuous opponent, and as a result of the campaign of opposition, in which he took part, the Bill was withdrawn, and subsequently re-submitted with the compulsory acquisition provisions deleted. The late Mr. Harwood was a regular churchgoer, and was prominently associated with Christ Church for many years. For a long time he was a member of the Anglican Synod, and latterly acted as parochial nominator. During the Nash controversy at Christ Church he took up a stand for constitutional government of the Church, and at an annual meeting when the Nashites swept the ballot, Mr. Harwood spoke vigorously against the tactics which had been employed. Largely through his keen knowledge of Church law, the elections were declared invalid, and in accordance with the Act of Synod the Archbishop himself appointed a new vestry, one member of which was Mr. Harwood. Right through the campaign he stood loyally to the Rev. F.W.R. Newton. When peace had been restored in the parish he retired from active participation in the affairs of the church, and at a crowded meeting of parishioners he was cordially thanked for all he had done. In his profession, as is well known, Mr. Harwood was very successful, and as a member of the firm which included his name, he transacted a great amount of important legal work. For 35 or 40 years he was solicitor to the corporation of Geelong, and his opinions were confidently sought, as he was wonderfully sound on all points of law. As a member of the Grammar School Council for many years the deceased also did much good work He retired from the school council a couple of years ago. Mr. Harwood will be missed by members of the Mechanics' Institute, where he was wont to attend every afternoon to study their magazines, foreign publications and other literature. He was a remarkably well-read man. Mr. Harwood was twice married. There have been 12 children, six of whom are still living. Three unmarried daughters have been residing with Mr. and Mrs. Harwood at Newtown, and the fourth is Mrs. Robert Hope. The two sons are Mr. Harold Harwood, of Geelong, and Mr. Stanley Harwood, of Western Australia. The funeral has been appointed for 2 o'clock to-morrow, and the remains will be interred at the Eastern Cemetery. Geelong Advertiser
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