The following lists events that happened during 1879 in New Zealand.
Incumbents
Regal and viceregal Head of State – Queen Victoria Governor – The term of The Marquess of Normanby ends on 21 February. Sir Hercules Robinson takes up the appointment on 27 March.
Government and law The general election is held between 15 August and 1 September; a law was passed to confirm the result in three electorates (, and ); and to clarify the law about electoral petitions (1880). The 7th New Zealand Parliament commences.
Speaker of the House – Maurice O'Rorke becomes Speaker when his predecessor, Sir William Fitzherbert, is appointed to the Legislative Council. Premier – John Hall replaces Sir George Grey on 8 October. Minister of Finance – John Hall replaces Sir George Grey on 8 October. Grey had taken up the post on 10 July after John Ballance had resigned on 1 July. Chief Justice – Hon Sir James Prendergast
Voting rights are extended to all males.New Zealand Parliament - Parliament timeline
The term of parliament is reduced from five years to three years.
Main centre leaders Mayor of Auckland – Thomas Peacock Mayor of Christchurch – Henry Thomson followed by Charles Thomas Ick Mayor of Dunedin – Henry John Walter Mayor of Wellington – Joseph Dransfield followed by George Allen followed by William Hutchison
Events 21 February: An explosion in the coal mine at Kaitangata kills 34 men.New Zealand History online: Today in History - 21 February 30 March: The Ross Guardian ceases publication. It began in 1866. 8 September: A fire sweeps through several buildings in central Dunedin, killing 12 people.Octagon building fire, Dunedin - 8 September 1879 Education (secular or denominational) was being debated. In two by-elections the winner was described as a Secularist: David Goldie in the 1879 City of Auckland West by-election and Acton Adams in the 1879 City of Nelson by-election. They opposed Curtis's bill before parliament. December 26 - the New Zealand Orange riots unfolds, when sectarian Irish Catholic rioters attacked Orange processions held by the New Zealand Orange Order, taking place in Timaru and Christchurch. These two events became known as the "Siege of Timaru" and the "Battle of the Borough" respectively.
Sport
Chess The first New Zealand Chess Championship is held and was won by H. Hookham (Christchurch)List of New Zealand Chess Champions
Horse racing
Major race winners New Zealand Cup – Chancellor New Zealand Derby – Hornby Auckland Cup – Ariel Wellington Cup – Maritana
Lawn bowls The first annual competition between clubs from different centres begins between Christchurch and Dunedin clubs.Todd, S. (1976) Sporting Records of New Zealand. Auckland: Moa Publications.
Rugby union 26 July: The first union in New Zealand, Canterbury Rugby Football Union, is formed at Timaru, incorporating Christchurch, Christ's College, Temuka, North Canterbury, Eastern, South Canterbury, Ashburton, and Southbridge rugby clubs. 20 October: The Wellington Rugby Football Union is formed, initially consisting of the Wellington and Athletic clubs.
Shooting Ballinger Belt – Corporal W. Ballinger (Wellington)
Births 18 January: Agnes Weston, politician (MLC). 25 May: Andrew Kennaway Henderson, illustrator, cartoonist and pacifist 30 August (in London): Maud Ruby "Daisy" Basham, radio personality. 15 June: Miriam Cummings (later Miriam Soljak), activist. 28 December: Claude Weston, politician.
Deaths 2 February (in England): General Sir Thomas Pratt, commander British forces in NZ 1860–61. 3 March: Jerningham Wakefield, politician and pioneer settler. 24 April – John Munro, politician (b. 1798/99) 14 May: Henry Sewell, politician. 14 July: Thomas Outhwaite, first registrar of the Supreme Court.
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