The following lists events that happened during 1890 in New Zealand.
Incumbents
Regal and viceregal Head of State – Queen Victoria Governor – The Earl of Onslow
Government and law The 10th New Zealand Parliament continues.
Speaker of the House – Maurice O'Rorke. Premier – Harry Atkinson. Minister of Finance – Harry Atkinson. Chief Justice – Hon Sir James Prendergast
The number of members of the House of Representatives is cut from 95 to 74. The New Zealand Legislative Council has 39 members.New Zealand Parliament - Parliament timeline
Parliamentary opposition Leader of the Opposition – John Ballance (Liberal Party).
Main centre leaders Mayor of Auckland – John Upton Mayor of Christchurch – Charles Louisson followed by Samuel Manning Mayor of Dunedin – John Roberts followed by John Carroll Mayor of Wellington – Charles Johnston
Events The Maritime Strike involves 8000 unionists 28 October: The first Labour Day is celebrated (but it is not a public holiday).
Sport
Athletics The first athletics team to compete overseas travels to Sydney.Heidenstrom, P. (1992) Athletes of the Century. Wellington: GP Publications.
At the National Championships the 3 miles, Pole vault and Shot put are held for the first time.
National Champions (Men) 100 yards – Jack Hempton (Southland) 250 yards – Jack Hempton (Southland) 440 yards – H. Reeves (Canterbury) 880 yards – J. Grierson (Canterbury) 1 mile – Peter Morrison (South Canterbury) 3 miles – Peter Morrison (South Canterbury) 120 yards hurdles – Harold Batger (Wellington) Long jump – T. Harman (Canterbury) High jump – T. McNaught (Otago) Pole vault – D. Robertson (Canterbury) Shot put – R. Malcolm (Wellington)
Chess National Champion: H. Hookham (his 2nd title)List of New Zealand Chess Champions
Horse racing
Harness racing The inaugural running of the Auckland Trotting Cup (over 3 miles) is won by CommodoreAuckland Trotting cup at hrnz.co.nz
Thoroughbred racing New Zealand Cup – Wolverine New Zealand Derby – Medallion Auckland Cup – Crackshot Wellington Cup – Cynisca
Lawn bowls
National Champions Singles – G. White (Milton) Fours – W. Savage, V. Parsons, E. Ashby and B. Hale (skip) (Canterbury)
As the New Zealand Bowling Association at this time consists largely of South Island clubs, the first truly "national" championships are not deemed to have begun until 1914.
Polo The Savile Cup, the premier polo trophy in New Zealand, is held for the first time. It is presented by and named after the aide-de-camp to the Governor of New Zealand, The Earl of Onslow.
Savile Cup winners – Christchurch
Rowing
National Champions (Men) Single sculls – T. Sullivan (Wellington) Double sculls – Wellington Coxless pairs – Wellington Coxed fours – Wellington
Rugby Union Provincial club rugby champions include: see also :Category:Rugby union in New Zealand
Shooting Ballinger Belt – P. Williams (Wellington Navals)
Swimming The New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association is formally constitutedSwimming New Zealand: History on 4 January. It is the second national governing body in the world after the A.S.A. of England.Beresford, P. (1976) Encyclopedia of Swimming London: Robert Hale and Company A subsequent disagreement between the North and South Island clubs leads to the formation of a rival association in the North Island known as the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association Registered. The two associations remain apart until uniting on 21 March 1904.
The first national titles are instituted. Each event is held at a separate carnival (this continues until 1905 when a single championships is held for the first time).Todd, S. (1976) Sporting Records of New Zealand. Auckland: Moa Publications. In the first year there are 2 separate carnivals for 100 yards and thus 2 different champions.
National champions (Men) 100 yards freestyle (Hamilton) – H. Bailey (Auckland) 100 yards freestyle (Christchurch) – W. Sneddon (Canterbury) 440 yards freestyle – H. Bailey (Auckland) 880 yards freestyle – A. Duthie (Auckland)
Tennis
National champions Men's singles – M. Fenwicke Women's singles – E. Gordon Men's doubles – M. Fenwicke and J. Jarkine Women's doubles – K. Hitchings and E. Gordon
Organisations Founding of the Freemasons' Grand Lodge of New Zealand (April)
Births 2 December: Robert Macalister, Mayor of Wellington.
Deaths 10 February: Joseph May, politician 14 April: Allan Kerr Taylor, businessman 14 July: Hugh Carleton, politician and "first Member of Parliament". 17 July: Richard Turnbull, politician 7 December: Henry Richmond, Superintendent of Taranaki.
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