1860 in New Zealand

Incumbents

Regal and Vice Regal

*Head of State - Queen Victoria
*Governor – Colonel Thomas Gore Browne leaves office on 3 October to take up the post of Governor of Tasmania. His successor is Sir George Grey who takes up the position in December.

Government and law

The general election of 1860-1861 begins on 12 December but does not conclude until 28 March the following year. The 2nd Parliament continues until the completion of the election.

*Speaker of the House – The sitting Speaker, Sir Charles Clifford, does not stand for re-election. He will be replaced in 1861 by Sir David Monro.
*Premier – Edward Stafford.
*Minister of Finance – William Richmond.
*Chief Justice – Hon George Arney

Events

* 2 January: "The Auckland Independent" ceases publishing. It began in 1859. [cite web|url=http://www.stats.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/9E78F21A-EF20-4C82-934B-1587FC7489CC/0/StatPubschapter2.pdf|title=Chapter 2: Early Statistical Sources – 19th Century|format=PDF|pages=11|work=Statistical Publications 1840–2000|publisher=Statistics New Zealand]
* 6 January: "The Marlborough Press" publishes its first issue. [cite web|url=http://www.micrographics.co.nz/services/papers.html|title=Newspapers on Film|publisher=New Zealand Micrographics Services] The paper continues until 1948.
* 8 January: Julius von Haast begins his journey of exploration of the West Coast. [ [http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/timeline&new_date=08/01 Today in History | NZHistory] ]

Undated

*"The Nelson Advertiser" is a short-lived newspaper in the Nelson, New Zealand area. [cite web|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=CL1.NEM&sp=NEM&essay=1|title=Nelson Evening Mail|publisher=National Library of New Zealand]

Arts and literature

Music

*A choral society is formed in Wellington. [http://www.teara.govt.nz/1966/M/Music/GeneralHistory/en Te Ara: Encyclopedia of New Zealand 1966 - Music:General History] ]
*The Canterbury Vocal Union is formed by nine men in Christchurch. It shortly afterwards merges with the St. Cecilia Society and will eventually become the Royal Christchurch Music Society.

Appointments and awards

3 August - Leading Seaman William Odgers of the Royal Navy is awarded the Victoria Cross. This is the first ward for action in New Zealand.

*Primate of New Zealand - George Augustus Selwyn (Bishop of Auckland)
*Bishop of Christchurch - Henry John Chitty Harper
*Bishop of Nelson - Edmund Hobhouse
*Bishop of Waiapu - William Williams
*Bishop of Wellington - Charles John Abraham

port

Cricket

The first inter-provincial cricket game is played between Auckland and Wellington. Auckland win.Todd, S. (1976) "Sporting Records of New Zealand." Auckland: Moa Publications. ISBN 0-908570-00-7]

Horse racing

The New Zealand Derby is held for the first time, at Riccarton Racecourse. This is the first race in New Zealand to have a continuous annual history.

Major race winner

*New Zealand Derby winner: Ada

Rowing

hooting

The Government recommends that prizes be given for rifle shooting. This leads to the first National Rifle Shooting Championships in 1861.Todd, S. (1976) "Sporting Records of New Zealand." Auckland: Moa Publications. ISBN 0-908570-00-7]

Births

Deaths

* 6 August: William Cargill, British solider, Otago founder and politician. [cite web|url=http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/facilities/cemeteries_and_crematorium/cemeteries_search?recordid=92869&type=Burial|title=Cemetery Details|publisher=Dunedin City Council|accessdate=2008-10-06]

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 1860 not specifically related to New Zealand see": 1860

References

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