Finding this life tedious Empson tried banana growing in Fiji. On his return to Christchurch two years later, having lost his capital and contracted Malaria, he became secretary to the Canterbury Jockey Club. Then in 1884 he joined the staff of Wanganui Collegiate School under the Reverend B. W. Harvey. Aided by a natural flair for dealing with boys and a quick intelligence, he rapidly became an outstanding teacher. A notable feature of his teaching style both in and out of the classroom was his use of the dramatic: for example, a bust of Julius Caesar which adorned his classroom was paraded around the school on the ides of March.
