1897 in New Zealand

The following lists events that happened during 1897 in New Zealand.

Incumbents

Regal and viceregal

Head of State – Queen Victoria
Governor – The term of David Boyle, 7th Earl of Glasgow as Governor ends on 8 February. He is succeeded on 9 August by Sir Uchter John Mark Knox, 5th Earl of Ranfurly

Government and law

The 13th New Zealand Parliament continues with the Liberal Party in power.

Speaker of the House – Sir Maurice O'Rorke
Prime Minister – Richard Seddon
Minister of Finance – Richard Seddon
Chief Justice – Hon Sir James Prendergast

Opposition Leaders

See: :Category:Parliament of New Zealand, :New Zealand elections

Main centre leaders

Mayor of Auckland – Abraham Boardman followed by Peter Dignan
Mayor of Christchurch – Harry Joseph Beswick followed by Walter Cooper
Mayor of Dunedin – Hugh Gourley followed by Edward Bowes Cargill
Mayor of Wellington – Francis Bell

Events

3 May: Margaret Cruickshank becomes New Zealand's first registered woman doctor.
14 May: Pigeon post is introduced between Auckland and Great Barrier Island.

Sport

Athletics

Arthur Holder is the first athlete to win four titles at a single championships.

100 yards – Alfred J. Patrick
250 yards – Arthur H. Holder
440 yards – Arthur H. Holder
880 yards – James McKean
1 mile – James McKean
3 miles – E. Reynolds
120 yards hurdles – Arthur H. Holder
440 yards hurdles – Arthur H. Holder
Long jump – Leonard Cuff
High jump – C. Laurie
Pole vault – tie Jimmy Te Paa and Hori Eruera
Shot put – Timothy B. O’Connor
Hammer throw – J. Callender

Chess

National Champion: R.J. Barnes of Wellington.

Golf

The National amateur championships were held in Auckland

Men – D. Pryde
Women – L. Wilford

Horse racing

Harness racing

Auckland Trotting Cup is won by Awahuri

Thoroughbred racing

New Zealand Cup – Waiuku
New Zealand Derby – Multiform
Auckland Cup – Antares
Wellington Cup – Strath Braan

Season leaders (1896/97)

Top New Zealand stakes earner – Multiform
Leading flat jockey – R. Derrett

Lawn Bowls

National Champions

Singles – W. McLaren
Pairs – W. Cowie and W. Thomson
Fours – H. Nalder, W. Thomas, R. Struthers and H. Thomson

Polo

Savile Cup winners – Manawatu

Rowing

National Champions

Single sculls – C. Chapman
Double sculls – Wairewa, Little River
Coxless pairs – Picton
Coxed fours – Queen's Dr, Port Chalmers

Rugby union

1897 New Zealand rugby union tour of Australia

Provincial club rugby champions include:

Shooting

Ballinger Belt – Private A. Ballinger

Soccer

Provincial league champions:

Auckland: Auckland United
Otago: Roslyn Dunedin
Wellington: Wellington Swifts

Swimming

National Champions

100 yards freestyle – T. Wauchop
220 yards freestyle – W. Stratton

Tennis

National Championships

Men's singles – J. Marshall
Women's singles – Kathleen Nunneley
Men's doubles – H. Parker and C. Gore
Women's doubles – Kathleen Nunneley and T. Trimmell

Births

28 January: Howard Kippenberger, soldier.
23 March: Leslie Andrew, soldier.
10 August: Maurice Brownlie, rugby union player.
2 December: Rewi Alley, writer, educator, friend of China.
3 December: John Buckland Wright, engraver and book illustrator.

Deaths

22 April: Charles John Taylor, politician.
21 May: Abraham Boardman, Mayor of Auckland.
23 September: Henry Fish, politician
27 September: John Lillie Gillies, politician.Mary Anne Rymill, missionary, teacher, nurse and companion.