The following lists events that happened during 1860 in New Zealand.
Incumbents
Regal and viceregal 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. 6 January: The Marlborough Press publishes its first issue. The paper continues until 1948. 8 January: Julius von Haast begins his journey of exploration of the West Coast.Today in History | NZHistory 17 March: The assault on Te Kohia pā marks the beginning of the First Taranaki War.Belich, James (1986). The New Zealand Wars and the Victorian Interpretation of Racial Conflict (1st ed.). Auckland: Penguin. 28 March: Battle of Waireka. 27 June: The battle of Puketakauere is a major setback for Imperial forces. 28 December: Imperial forces capture Matarikoriko Pā, near Waitara.Otago Witness, 26 January 1861, reprinted in An Eyewitness History of New Zealand, ed. Robin Bromby (1985) Undated The Nelson Advertiser is a short-lived newspaper in the Nelson, New Zealand area.
Arts and literature
Music A choral society is formed in Wellington.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.
Sport
Cricket The first inter-provincial cricket game is played between Auckland and Wellington. Auckland win.
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 – Ada
Lawn bowls Bowls is first known to have been played in the country, in Auckland.Todd, S. (1976) Sporting Records of New Zealand. Auckland: Moa Publications.
Rowing
Shooting The Government recommends that prizes be given for rifle shooting. This leads to the first National Rifle Shooting Championships in 1861.
Births 11 September: James Allan, rugby union player
Deaths 8 January: Louis Catherin Servant, Catholic priest and missionary 30 May: Karetai, tribal leader 25 June: Pōtatau Te Wherowhero, first Māori King 6 August: William Cargill, British soldier, Otago founder and politician 7 August: Charles Southwell, English-born journalist, freethinker and newspaper publisher 4 November (in Tianjin, China): Arthur Saunders Thomson, military surgeon, medical scientist, writer and historian 26 December: Barnet Burns, English sailor and trader
Unknown date Te Rei Hanataua, tribal leader
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