 He declined a knighthood in 1902 but accepted it in 1911, and two years later was created KCMG.The University of Western Australia opened in 1913 with Sir John as its first chancellor, and he gave it its first substantial private contribution when he endowed the chair of agriculture.Hackett's partner, Charles Harper, died in 1912, and Hackett acquired full ownership of the "West Australian" for £88,000.