BROTHER AUGUSTINE HARTSHORN (1880-1970)

William Hartshorn was born in Staffordshire, England in 1880. His family migrated to New Zealand when William was a youngster, and eventually settled in Christchurch where he attended the Brothers' school. He went to Sydney to make his Novitiate at Hunter's Hill where he was professed as a Marist Brother on 1st January, 1903. Brother Augustine had his initial teaching years at St. Mary's School, Sydney in 1906 – 1907, returning then to New Zealand to teach in Auckland and Wellington before coming to Fiji in 1921.

The records of the following sixteen years, convey with certainty that Brother Augustine was not only an accomplished teacher who brought his secondary students to quite remarkable levels of success, he was also energetic in his contribution to St. Felix College and to the Brothers' Community. Although occupied with his secondary teaching, Brother Augustine was for a time Headmaster of St. Felix College. During most of the time he was a member of the St. Felix College Community, he was deputy to the Director, and for a period at the end of the twenties was himself Director.

His secondary students continued studies towards the Cambridge examinations, and each year notable success was recorded.

At no time was the number of students very great, but those who did take up secondary studies appear to have done so with purpose and determination. This entry in the records of 1924 marks a milestone in secondary work to that date: "We had presented eight candidates and all passed – one for School Certificate who obtained a pass entitling him to complete exemption from University Entrance Examination, i.e. a Matriculation pass."

While Brother Augustine had undoubted success in the academic achievements of his secondary students this was by no means his only contribution to their general development. At St. Felix College he was an enthusiast in the promotion of sporting activity. In 1926 it was recorded that "The College sports were held on our own ground for the first time. The meeting was very successful, owing principally to the painstaking preparation of Brother Augustine." After the opening of the College Chapel Building in December 1926, Brother Augustine was instrumental in establishing the Handball Court that has brought such pleasure to generations of Suva Street pupils. Tradition has it that tense rivalry in sporting contact with Suva Grammar School developed during those days, and there are numerous 'stories' of victory and defeat in 'hard-fought' contests! Brother Augustine was known to have been closely involved in the foundation of the Imperial Sports Club of that era. The Imperial Rugby Team was still playing in the 'European' competition in the 1960s while the Imperial Cricket Club remained a force in local competition for even longer.