The following lists events that happened during 1897 in New Zealand.
Incumbents
Regal and viceregal 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: :Category:Parliament of New Zealand, :New Zealand elections
Main centre leaders Mayor of Auckland – Abraham Boardman followed by Peter Dignan Mayor of Christchurch – Harry Joseph Beswick followed by Walter Cooper Mayor of Dunedin – Hugh Gourley followed by Edward Bowes Cargill Mayor of Wellington – Francis Bell
Events 3 May: Margaret Cruickshank becomes New Zealand's first registered woman doctor. 14 May: Pigeon post is introduced between Auckland and Great Barrier Island.
Arts and literature
Music
Sport
Athletics 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.
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)
Chess National Champion: R.J. Barnes of Wellington.List of New Zealand Chess Champions
Cricket
Golf The National amateur championships were held in Auckland Men – D. Pryde (Hutt) Women – L. Wilford (Hutt)
Horse racing
Harness racing Auckland Trotting Cup (over 2 miles) is won by AwahuriAuckland Trotting cup at hrnz.co.nz
Thoroughbred racing New Zealand Cup – Waiuku New Zealand Derby – Multiform Auckland Cup – Antares Wellington Cup – Strath Braan
Season leaders (1896/97) Top New Zealand stakes earner – Multiform Leading flat jockey – R. Derrett
Lawn Bowls National ChampionsAs the New Zealand Bowling Association at this time consists entirely of South Island clubs, the first truly "national" championships are not deemed to have begun until 1914. Singles – W. McLaren (Kaitangata) Pairs – W. Cowie and W. Thomson (skip) (Dunedin) Fours – H. Nalder, W. Thomas, R. Struthers and H. Thomson (skip) (Christchurch)
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 1897 New Zealand rugby union tour of Australia Provincial club rugby champions include: see also :Category:Rugby union in New Zealand
Shooting Ballinger Belt – Private A. Ballinger (Wellington Guards)
Soccer Provincial league champions: Auckland: Auckland United Otago: Roslyn Dunedin Wellington: Wellington Swifts
Swimming National Champions (Men) 100 yards freestyle – T. Wauchop (Canterbury) 220 yards freestyle – 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. 3 December: John Buckland Wright, engraver and book illustrator.
Deaths 22 April: Charles John Taylor, politician (in England). 21 May: Abraham Boardman, Mayor of Auckland. 23 September: Henry Fish, politician 27 September: John Lillie Gillies, politician. Mary Anne Rymill, missionary, teacher, nurse and companion (born 1817).
See also List of years in New Zealand Timeline of New Zealand history History of New Zealand Military history of New Zealand Timeline of the New Zealand environment Timeline of New Zealand's links with Antarctica
References General Romanos, J. (2001) New Zealand Sporting Records and Lists. Auckland: Hodder Moa Beckett. Specific
External links