Although known for his sociability, Harris was regarded as an,[3]: 92 eccentric, tactless man, unpopular with people in authority for the unsolicited advice he offered, on subjects ranging from roadmaking to Aboriginal farm settlements, and from mail routes to commercial hunting of kangaroos [...].
[3]: 94 Harris rented a cottage from James Drummond Jnr of Hawthornden, and as his workload increased he engaged John Acton Wroth as his secretary and clerk in court.
Harris was charged with finding a suitable place for a permanent convict hiring depot, and in 1852 a site was selected 2 miles (3.2 km) upstream from the town.
As Harris settled into his role and was able to assess local conditions he reported back to the colonial government with suggestions for improvements.
Originally called New Road, it was renamed Stirling Terrace after the new town of Newcastle, gazetted in 1860, was established around the convict depot.
"[3]: 149 The following year Governor Charles Fitzgerald ended the contribution, as a cost-cutting measure and because of concern settlers in other towns might want to set up fire brigades requiring government support.
As the government had assigned extra police to the Toodyay and Northam area, it instructed that daily bushfire patrols were to be added to their duties in summer, including the apprehension of anyone found deliberately lighting a fire.
While resident magistrates were expected to contribute their time to local boards and organisations, they were also required to be generous subscribers to the development of their district.
He sought a government allowance to cover these expenses citing examples such as "£5 to the school, £5 to the exploration fund, and £1 to the purchase of the cemetery land at 'Nardie'".
[5] When he retired in 1888, a profile written by the Busselton correspondent for the Western Mail indicates Harris's personality and style of governing had not changed.