The following lists events that happened during 1878 in New Zealand.
Incumbents
Regal and viceregal Head of State – Queen Victoria Governor – The Marquess of Normanby
Government and law The 6th New Zealand Parliament continues.
Speaker of the House – Sir William Fitzherbet Premier – Sir George Grey Minister of Finance – William Larnach resigns on 5 March. He is succeeded by John Ballance on 12 July. Chief Justice – Hon Sir James Prendergast
Main centre leaders Mayor of Auckland – Henry Brett followed by Thomas Peacock Mayor of Christchurch – James Gapes followed by Henry Thomson Mayor of Dunedin – Richard Henry Leary followed by Henry John Walter Mayor of Wellington – Joseph Dransfield
Events 2 February: Alois Lubecki makes the first telephone call in the country, between Dunedin and Milton. Later in the year the first public demonstration of the telephone is made with a call between Blenheim and Nelson.A. C. Wilson. 'Telecommunications - Telephones, 1877–1914', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 4-Jul-12 30 September: Great Flood of 1878, caused by the rapid melting of heavy winter snows in Central Otago, kills at least three people and destroys several bridges in Clutha and Southland. Undated Ashburton is made a borough.Encyclopedia of New Zealand 1966: Ashburton
Sport
Cricket An Australian team tours New Zealand in January and February, playing seven provincial teams.Itinerary None of the matches have first-class status as the home sides fielded between 15 and 22 players. A win by the Canterbury XV is the first ever win by a New Zealand side over an international touring team.
See Australian cricket team in New Zealand in 1877–78
Horse racing New Zealand Cup winner: Maritana New Zealand Derby winner: Natator Auckland Cup winner: Ariel Wellington Cup winner: Lara
Rugby union New clubs were formed in Featherston and Carterton, both in the south Wairarapa. Existing football clubs in Gisborne, Palmerston North and Feilding adopted rugby rules.
Shooting Ballinger Belt: No competition
Births 10 September: Fanny Irvine-Smith, teacher and writer 9 May: Jessie Buckland, photographer
Deaths 9 February: William Williams, first Bishop of Waiapu.'Williams, William', from An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand, edited by A. H. McLintock, originally published in 1966. Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 18-Sep-2007 11 February: William Barnard Rhodes, businessman and politician. 6 December: Sir John Richardson, politician. 25 December Thomas Bartley, politician.
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
References General Romanos, J. (2001) New Zealand Sporting Records and Lists. Auckland: Hodder Moa Beckett. Specific
External links