1890 in New Zealand
The following lists events that happened during 1890 in New Zealand.
Incumbents
Regal and viceregal
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
Parliamentary opposition
Leader of the Opposition – John Ballance.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.
Sport
Athletics">Athletics New Zealand">Athletics
The first athletics team to compete overseas travels to Sydney.At the National Championships the 3 miles, Pole vault and Shot put are held for the first time.
https://web.archive.org/web/20081018150249/http://www.athletics.org.nz/Resource.aspx?ID=973 National Champions (Men)
- 100 yards – Jack Hempton
- 250 yards – Jack Hempton
- 440 yards – H. Reeves
- 880 yards – J. Grierson
- 1 mile – Peter Morrison
- 3 miles – Peter Morrison
- 120 yards hurdles – Harold Batger
- Long jump – T. Harman
- High jump – T. McNaught
- Pole vault – D. Robertson
- Shot put – '''R. Malcolm'''
Chess
- National Champion: '''H. Hookham'''
Horse racing
Harness racing
- The inaugural running of the Auckland Trotting Cup is won by Commodore
Thoroughbred racing
- New Zealand Cup – Wolverine
- New Zealand Derby – Medallion
- Auckland Cup – Crackshot
- Wellington Cup – Cynisca
Lawn bowls
National Champions
- Singles – G. White
- Fours – W. Savage, V. Parsons, E. Ashby and B. Hale
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">Rowing New Zealand">Rowing
National Champions (Men)
- Single sculls – T. Sullivan
- Double sculls – Wellington
- Coxless pairs – Wellington
- Coxed fours – Wellington
Rugby Union">New Zealand Rugby Union">Rugby Union
Provincial club rugby champions include:Shooting
Ballinger Belt – P. WilliamsSwimming
The New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association is formally constituted on 4 January. It is the second national governing body in the world after the A.S.A. of England. 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.
In the first year there are 2 separate carnivals for 100 yards and thus 2 different champions.
National champions (Men)
- 100 yards freestyle – H. Bailey
- 100 yards freestyle – W. Sneddon
- 440 yards freestyle – H. Bailey
- 880 yards freestyle – A. Duthie
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
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.