KINDER, JOHN (1819-1903) was born in London and educated at Cheam, Surrey, and Trinity College, Cambridge, where he gained a scholarship and graduated as a wrangler in 1842. He took private pupils until proceeding M.A. (1845). While at Cambridge he took much interest in ecclesiastical architecture, and became a member of the committee of the Camden Society. In 1847 he was ordained to a curacy in East London, but was almost immediately appointed by the master and fellows of his College to be headmaster of Alleyne's Grammar School at Uttoxeter, Staffordshire. He was ordained priest in 1849.

In 1855 Kinder was chosen by Bishop Selwyn as headmaster of the proposed Auckland Grammar School. During the 17 years that he held that position, he acted as chaplain to the Auckland garrison and was successively assistant minister of St Barnabas, Parnell (five years), St Mark's, Remuera (three years) and St Andrew's, Epsom (seven years). At St Andrew's he raised funds to erect a pretty church from his own plans. When Bishop Cowie reopened St John's College in 1871, Kinder was appointed master, and in 1873 the degree of D.D. was conferred upon him by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Resigning the headmastership in 1880, he was appointed examining chaplain. He retired a few years later. Kinder did much to improve the efficiency of the college, and to beautify the grounds. He installed windows commemorative of Selwyn, Patteson and Martin, and bequeathed his library to the College. He always opposed the removal of the college to Parnell, and eventually succeeded in getting it brought back to Tamaki. A fine scholar with a facile command of French and German, Kinder was a charming talker and an effective preacher. He published in 1901 a forcible pamphlet on the report of the synod commission on St John's. In his early years he came under the influence of Frederick Denison Maurice, the theologian, who was one of the founders, with Charles Kingsley, of the Christian Socialist movement.

Kinder married (1859) Marianne Celia (d. 1928), a daughter of Archdeacon A. N. Brown. He died on 5 Sep 1903.

Cowie; Purchas; Davis (p); N.Z. Herald, 7 Sep 1903.

Reference: Volume 1, page 249

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