1891 in New Zealand

Incumbents

Regal and Vice Regal

*Head of State - Queen Victoria
*Governor - The Earl of Onslow

Government and law

Following their victory in the 1890 election the First Liberal Government forms the 11th Parliament, taking office on 24 January. This is the first time a single political party forms a government in New Zealand.

The new Liberal Government restricts future terms of appointment to the Legislative Council to 7 years. Previous appointments have been for life.

*Speaker of the House - William Steward becomes Speaker taking over from Maurice O'Rorke.
*Premier – John Balance takes office on 24 January, replacing Harry Atkinson.
*Minister of Finance – John Balance takes office on 24 January, replacing Harry Atkinson.
*Chief Justice - Hon Sir James Prendergast

Parliamentary opposition

Leader of the Opposition - John Ballance (Liberal Party) until 23 June, then John Bryce (Independent) until 31 August, then William Rolleston (Independent). [Cite web|url=http://www.elections.org.nz/democracy/leaders-opposition.html|title=Elections NZ - Leaders of the Opposition|accessdate=2008-04-06]

Main centre leaders

*Mayor of Auckland - John Upton followed by William Crowther
*Mayor of Christchurch - S. Manning followed by Charles Matthew Gray
*Mayor of Dunedin - John Carroll followed by Charles Robert Chapman
*Mayor of Hamilton - Isaac Coates
*Mayor of Wellington - Arthur Winton Brown

Events

*17 March - The S.S. "Alice" is the first mechanically powered vessel to pass through Ohau Channel and the first to operate on Lake Rotoiti. Among the passengers are Governor Onslow and Lady Onslow. [http://www.woodenboatparade.co.nz/SS%20Alice.htm Woodenboatparade: S.S. Alice] ] (see also 1889)

Arts and literature

Music

Appointments and awards

Late in the year Bishop Suter resigns as Bishop of Nelson.

*Primate of New Zealand - Octavius Hadfield (Bishop of Wellington)
*Bishop of Auckland - William Garden Cowie
*Bishop of Christchurch - Churchill Julius
*Bishop of Dunedin - Samuel Tarratt Nevill
*Bishop of Nelson - Andrew Burn Suter followed by Charles Oliver Mules
*Bishop of Waiapu - Edward Craig Stuart

port

=Athletics=

*12 August Godfrey Shaw sets the first (unofficial) world record by a New Zealander. He runs 57.2 seconds for 440 yards hurdles at the Isle of Man.Heidenstrom, P. (1992) "Athletes of the Century." Wellington: GP Publications. ISBN 1-86956-044-2] Todd, S. (1976) "Sporting Records of New Zealand." Auckland: Moa Publications. ISBN 0-908570-00-7]

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

The 440 yards hurdles is held for the first time.

*100 yards – J. King (Wellington) Race won by W. Macpherson (Australia)
*250 yards – J. King (Wellington) Race won by W. Macpherson (Australia)
*440 yards – J. Hutchison (Auckland) Race won by W. Macpherson (Australia)
*880 yards – Derisley Wood (Canterbury)
*1 mile – Derisley Wood (Canterbury)
*3 miles – Derisley Wood (Canterbury)
*120 yards hurdles – Harold Batger (Wellington)
*440 yards hurdles – Harold Batger (Wellington)
*Long jump – T. Upfill (Auckland)
*High jump – tie J. Hume (Wellington) and E. Laurie (Auckland)
*Pole vault – T. Upfill (Auckland)
*Shot put – Timothy O’Connor (Auckland)

Boxing

* 14 January: Bob Fitzsimmons wins the world middleweight boxing title by beating Jack (Nonpareil) Dempsey. [ [http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/timeline&new_date=14/01 Today in History | NZHistory] ]

Cricket

Golf

Horse racing

* New Zealand Cup winner - British Lion
* New Zealand Derby winner - Florrie
* Auckland Cup winner - Pinfire
* Wellington Cup winner - Cynisca
* Leading flat jockey - G. Collelo

:"see also ."

Polo

The New Zealand Polo Association is formed from clubs in Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Rangitikei, North Canterbury and Waikari.

*Savile Cup winners - Christchurch

=Rowing=

National Champions (Men)

*Single sculls - W. Bridson (Wellington)
*Double sculls - Star
*Coxless pairs - Wellington
*Coxed fours - Wellington

=Rugby Union=

Provincial club rugby champions include: :"see also "

hooting

Ballinger Belt - Private C. Kruse (Wanganui Rifles)

wimming

National champions (Men)

*100 yards frestyle – H. Bailey (Auckland)
*440 yards frestyle – H. Bailey (Auckland)
*880 yards frestyle – H. Nicholson (Auckland)

Tennis

National championships

*Men's singles - J. Marshall
*Women's singles - J. Rees
*Men's doubles - R. Harman and F. Wilding
*Women's doubles - K. Hitchings and E. Gordon

Births

* 18 December: Tiaki Omana, politician, rugby union player.
* 25 December: Clarrie Grimmett, Australian cricketer.

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 1891 not specifically related to New Zealand see": 1891

References

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