1891 in New Zealand

The following lists events that happened during 1891 in New Zealand.

Incumbents

Regal and viceregal

Head of State – Queen Victoria
Governor – [William William Onslow, 4th Earl of Onslow|Onslow, 4th Earl of Onslow|The Earl of Onslow]

Government and law

Following their victory in the 1890 election the Liberal Government forms the 11th New Zealand Parliament, taking office on 24 January. This is the first time a single political party forms a government in New Zealand.
The new Liberal Government restricts future terms of appointment to the Legislative Council to 7 years. Previous appointments have been for life.

Speaker of the House – William Steward becomes Speaker taking over from Maurice O'Rorke.
Premier – John Ballance takes office on 24 January, replacing Harry Atkinson.
Minister of Finance – John Ballance takes office on 24 January, replacing Harry Atkinson.
Chief Justice – Hon Sir James Prendergast

Parliamentary opposition

Leader of the Opposition – John Ballance until 23 June, then John Bryce until 31 August, then William Rolleston.

Main centre leaders

Mayor of Auckland – John Upton followed by William Crowther
Mayor of Christchurch – Samuel Manning followed by Charles Gray
Mayor of Dunedin – John Carroll followed by Charles Robert Chapman
Mayor of Wellington – Arthur Winton Brown

Events

13 January – The first public phonograph performance in New Zealand is made at Christchurch.
9 March – The Palmerston North to Napier railway line is completed with the opening of the line between Woodville and Palmerston North, through the Manawatū Gorge.
17 March – The S.S. Alice is the first mechanically powered vessel to pass through Ohau Channel and the first to operate on Lake Rotoiti. Among the passengers are Governor Onslow and Lady Onslow.
23 June – An earthquake strikes Port Waikato.

Sport

Athletics

12 August Godfrey Shaw sets the first world record by a New Zealander. He runs 57.2 seconds for 440 yards hurdles at the Isle of Man.

The 440 yards hurdles is held for the first time.

100 yards – J. King Race won by W. Macpherson
250 yards – J. King Race won by W. Macpherson
440 yards – J. Hutchison Race won by W. Macpherson
880 yards – Derisley Wood
1 mile – Derisley Wood
3 miles – Derisley Wood
120 yards hurdles – Harold Batger
440 yards hurdles – Harold Batger
Long jump – T. Upfill
High jump – tie J. Hume and E. Laurie
Pole vault – T. Upfill
Shot put – Timothy O’Connor

Chess

National champion: R.J Barnes of Wellington

Boxing

14 January: Bob Fitzsimmons wins the world middleweight boxing title by beating Jack (Nonpareil) Dempsey.

Horse racing

Harness racing

Auckland Trotting Cup is won by Rarus

Thoroughbred racing

New Zealand Cup – British Lion
New Zealand Derby – Florrie
Auckland Cup – Pinfire
Wellington Cup – Cynisca

Season leaders (1890/91)

Leading flat jockey – G. Collelo

Lawn bowls

Dissatisfied with their remoteness from the national association the North Island clubs and those from Nelson form a separate Northern Bowling Association.
National Champions

Singles – G. White
Fours – D. Campbell, W. Weir, D. Mackie and W. Carswell

Polo

The New Zealand Polo Association is formed from clubs in Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Rangitikei, North Canterbury and Waikari.

Savile Cup winners – Christchurch

Rowing

National Champions

Single sculls – W. Bridson
Double sculls – Star
Coxless pairs – Wellington
Coxed fours – Wellington

Rugby union

Provincial club rugby champions include:

Shooting

Ballinger Belt – Private C. Kruse

Soccer

Provincial Champions: – This is the first year any provincial championship is recorded. Auckland commenced in 1892.

Wellington: Petone Wanderers

Swimming

National champions

100 yards freestyle – H. Bailey
440 yards freestyle – H. Bailey
880 yards freestyle – H. Nicholson

Tennis

National championships

Men's singles – J. Marshall
Women's singles – J. Rees
Men's doubles – Richard Harman and Frederick Wilding
Women's doubles – K. Hitchings and E. Gordon

Births

13 December: Frank S. Anthony, writer
18 December: Tiaki Omana, politician, rugby union player.
25 December: Clarrie Grimmett, Australian cricketer.

Deaths

5 January: Henry Manders, Member of Parliament.
5 June: Harry Farnall, politician.
20 July: Frederick Weld, politician and governor.