History Corner - Introducing Mr Henry Hookham the first Headmaster of Yaldhurst School 1876 - 1882 (not yet a Model School)

During the first School term of Yaldhurst School opening, forty-one children were enrolled under the care of Mr Henry Hookham (age 51 years) as Master until May of 1882.  On retirement is said that he stated "it is impossible to deal with all of the subjects required by the department in the school (education board.)  On his retirement Mr Hookham was presented with a "a magnificent inlaid chess table." His daughter the church organist and welfare worker received a small purse of sovereigns. 

To give you an idea of what our city and life looked liked when Henry Hookham resigned as principal, see the picture below of Cathedral Square, showing the Post Office and Godley statue in 1882.

Here is a photograph of Henry Hookham with his chess buddies!

The below article was printed in the Christchurch Star Newspaper, issue 6344, 25 November 1898. 

Mr Henry Hookham is buried with his wife Marianne Hookham at Saint Paul's Anglican Church Graveyard, Christchurch, 1 Harewood Road Christchurch.

Thank you for reading to the end of this article and more so due to the nature of the last image not being particularly that chirpy but it is the last piece of the story to be told of Mr Henry Hookham's life.