FROM THE ARCHIVES Introducing Francis Hare
Who exactly was Francis Augustus Hare whom the Old Boys recalled so fondly?
Francis Augustus Hare was born in Germany, according to the 1851 census, and was educated in Dublin and at Emmanuel College Cambridge. In 1867, his parents and some of his siblings emigrated to Perth, where his father was appointed Police Commissioner. Francis arrived there in March 1869, having been ordained deacon by the Bishop of Ely for the Diocese of Perth and appointed to the headmastership of the Perth Collegiate School (now Hale School). In December 1869, he was ordained priest by the Bishop of Perth and remained headmaster until the school was temporarily closed in February 1872. Hare came to New Zealand in 1873 as Secretary to the Governor, the Right Honourable Sir James Fergusson. On Fergusson’s resignation in 1874, Hare returned briefly to his family in Perth. By June 1875, he had been appointed to the temporary charge of the Parish of Riccarton while Croasdaile Bowen was on leave overseas. His appointment as chaplain to Christ’s College in 1877 was firmly supported by the Bishop and was followed three years later by an appointment as an Assistant Master for Classics. In addition, from 1877-1882 he was Hulsean-Chichele Professor and Principal of the Upper Department, a residential College on the Rolleston Street frontage for those undertaking further study, especially theology. Hare was not particularly keen to take over the headmastership in
1889. He wrote to his mother on 20 November, 1888 of his reluctance, but the Bishop and the governing body were very keen for him to take the position. He wrote of wanting to go to England to see how similar schools were run, but realised that it was impossible. Hare’s obituary describes it as a time of “heavy and unremitting labour”. Carpentry was introduced, the prefect system was extended, the library was reorganised, master’s planning meetings were held more frequently, school music was encouraged, and the beginning of what would become day boy Houses was introduced. He prepared his teaching material meticulously for all levels, and particularly challenged boys to think deeply in Divinity classes. Hare supported the boys in all their sports, particularly cricket, where he was well known for seeking out and finding latent talent. Indeed, when funds were low and the practice nets worn out, he made new ones himself. He also had the care of his younger brother, Edward George Sydney Hare (696), a Somes Scholar and Prefect. He was at College from May 1876–1879 in the upper 5th and 6th forms. In 1892, he resigned the Headmastership, but continued at College as Chaplain and Assistant Master, and was Acting Headmaster between the departure of CF Bourne in 1903 and the arrival of CH Moreland in 1904. Hare’s sudden death on 26th July, 1912 was the second major
blow to the College within four months. Headmaster Christopher Hudson Moreland had died in March and Hare had stepped in again as Acting Headmaster until a new appointment was made. The coroner’s inquest suggested that he had sustained a fall, and had been in indifferent health for some time. Parson Hare’s obituary in The Press said it all: “As a teacher he was a firm disciplinarian and at the same time he knew his pupils as individuals, and saw speedily how each might best be benefited. It is said that he never forgot the face of one who had been under him, and always knew and was pleased to see an old pupil.”
- Jane Teal
Sources:
Bishop Harper’s Outward Letter Book No 7, Christchurch Anglican Diocesan Archives
Christ’s College School List 1850-1950 Christ’s College Form Lists 1876-1879 Christ’s College Old Boys’ Association Minute Books, 1914-1916
Christ’s College Register, August 1912 and December 1915
College House List
Francis Augustus Hare, Letters to his Mother, Christ’s College Archives
The Press, 27 July, 1912
Christ’s College Canterbury
72
Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter maker