1897 in New Zealand

Incumbents

Regal and Vice Regal

*Head of State - Queen Victoria
*Governor - The term of David Boyle, 7th Earl of Glasgow as Governor ends on 8 February. He is succeeded on 9 August by Sir Uchter John Mark Knox, 5th Earl of Ranfurly

Government and law

The 13th New Zealand Parliament continues with the Liberal Party in power.

*Speaker of the House - Sir Maurice O'Rorke
*Prime Minister - Richard Seddon
*Minister of Finance - Richard Seddon
*Chief Justice - Hon Sir James Prendergast

Opposition Leaders

See: ,

Main centre leaders

*Mayor of Auckland - Abraham Boardman followed by Peter Dignan
*Mayor of Christchurch - Henry Joseph Beswick followed by W. H. Cooper
*Mayor of Dunedin - Hugh Gourley followed by Edward Bowes Cargill
*Mayor of Hamilton - William Dey
*Mayor of Wellington - Francis Bell

Events

* 14 May: Pigeon post is introduced between Auckland and Great Barrier Island.

Undated

* Completion of St Mary's Cathedral Church, Auckland (believed to be the world's largest wooden gothic church).

Arts and literature

Music

Appointments and awards

*Primate of New Zealand - William Garden Cowie (Bishop of Auckland)
*Bishop of Christchurch - Churchill Julius
*Bishop of Dunedin - Samuel Tarratt Nevill
*Bishop of Nelson - Charles Oliver Mules
*Bishop of Waiapu - William Leonard Williams
*Bishop of Wellington - Frederick Wallis

port

=Athletics=

= [http://www.athletics.org.nz/Resource.aspx?ID=973 National Champions, Men] =

Arthur Holder is the first athlete to win four titles at a single championships (he is also second in the 100 yards).Heidenstrom, P. (1992) "Athletes of the Century." Wellington: GP Publications. ISBN 1-86956-044-2]

*100 yards – Alfred J. Patrick (Wellington)
*250 yards – Arthur H. Holder (Wanganui)
*440 yards – Arthur H. Holder (Wanganui)
*880 yards – James McKean (Auckland)
*1 mile - James McKean (Auckland)
*3 miles – E. Reynolds (Auckland)
*120 yards hurdles - Arthur H. Holder (Wanganui)
*440 yards hurdles - Arthur H. Holder (Wanganui)
*Long jump – Leonard Cuff (Canterbury)
*High jump – C. Laurie (Auckland)
*Pole vault – tie Jimmy Te Paa (Auckland) and Hori Eruera (Auckland)
*Shot put – Timothy B. O’Connor (Auckland)
*Hammer throw – J. Callender (Auckland)

Cricket

Golf

*National amateur champion (men): D. Pryde (Hutt)
*National amateur champion (women): L. Wilford (Hutt)

Horse racing

*New Zealand Cup winner: Tirant D’eau
*New Zealand Derby winner: Altair
*Auckland Cup winner: Uhlan
*Wellington Cup winner: Uniform
*Top New Zealand stakes earner: Multiform
*Leading flat jockey: R. Derrett:"see also ."

Polo

*Savile Cup winners: Manawatu

=Rowing=

National Champions (Men)

*Single sculls: C. Chapman (Wairewa)
*Double sculls: Wairewa, Little River
*Coxless pairs: Picton
*Coxed fours: Queen’s Dr, Port Chalmers

=Rugby Union=

Provincial club rugby champions include: :"see also "

hooting

Ballinger Belt: Private A. Ballinger (Wellington Guards)

wimming

National Champions (Men)

*100 yards frestyle – T. Wauchop (Canterbury)
*220 yards frestyle – W. Stratton (Canterbury)

Tennis

National Championships

*Men's singles: J. Marshall
*Women's singles: Kathleen Nunneley
*Men's doubles: H. Parker and C. Gore
*Women's doubles: Kathleen Nunneley and T. Trimmell

Births

* 28 January: Howard Kippenberger, soldier.
* 23 March: Leslie Andrew, soldier.
* 10 August: Maurice Brownlie, rugby union player.
* 2 December: Rewi Alley, writer, educator, friend of China.

Deaths

ee also

*List of years in New Zealand
*Timeline of New Zealand history
*History of New Zealand
*Military history of New Zealand
*Timeline of environmental history of New Zealand
*Timeline of New Zealand's links with Antarctica

"For world events and topics in 1897 not specifically related to New Zealand see": 1897

References

;General
* Romanos, J. (2001) "New Zealand Sporting Records and Lists." Auckland: Hodder Moa Beckett. ISBN 1-86958-879-7;Specific