 His first problem had been to build up a sound system of primary education, but as the years went by his efforts were given to relating this in the best possible way to secondary education and the university.Hartley devised the system of junior, senior, and advanced public examinations, and, as a member of the council of the University of Adelaide from its beginning in 1874, he gave much time to committee work and the framing of the curriculum for degrees.He was appointed vice-chancellor in 1893 and held the position until his death.