1897 in New Zealand
# 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

National Champions, Men Arthur Holder is the first athlete to win four titles at a single championships (he is also second in the 100 yards).

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

### Chess

National Champion: R.J. Barnes of Wellington.

### Golf

The National amateur championships were held in Auckland

* Men – D. Pryde (Hutt)
* Women – L. Wilford (Hutt)

### Horse racing

**Harness racing**

* Auckland Trotting Cup (over 2 miles) 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 (Kaitangata)
* Pairs – W. Cowie and W. Thomson (skip) (Dunedin)
* Fours – H. Nalder, W. Thomas, R. Struthers and H. Thomson (skip) (Christchurch)

### Polo

* Savile Cup winners – Manawatu

### Rowing

National Champions (Men)

* Single sculls – C. Chapman (Wairewa)
* 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:

    see also Category:Rugby union in New Zealand

### Shooting

Ballinger Belt – Private A. Ballinger (Wellington Guards)

### Soccer

Provincial league champions:

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

### Swimming

National Champions (Men)

* 100 yards freestyle – T. Wauchop (Canterbury)
* 220 yards freestyle – W. Stratton (Canterbury)

### 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 (in England).
* 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 (born 1817).
