1889 in New Zealand
# 1889 in New Zealand

The following lists events that happened during 1889 in New Zealand.

## Incumbents

### Regal and viceregal

* Head of State – Queen Victoria
* Governor – The term of Lieutenant-General Sir William Jervois ends on 23 March. The Earl of Onslow takes up the position of Governor on 2 May.

### 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 (Liberal Party). This is the first year in which there is a recognised opposition leader.

### Main centre leaders

* Mayor of Auckland – Albert Devore followed by John Upton
* Mayor of Christchurch – Charles Louisson
* Mayor of Dunedin – Hugh Gourley followed by John Roberts
* Mayor of Wellington – John Duthie

## Events

* 21 January – American "Professor" Baldwin makes the first balloon ascent in New Zealand at Dunedin.
* 2 December – The S.S. Alice, the first mechanically powered vessel on the Rotorua Lakes, is launched.

## Arts and literature

Reputedly the first science fiction novel written by a New Zealander, Anno Domini 2000, or, Woman's Destiny by former Premier Julius Vogel is published.

## Sport

### National Champions, Men

* 100 yards – T. Lewis (Hawkes Bay)
* 250 yards – H. Reeves (Canterbury)
* 440 yards – H. Reeves (Canterbury)
* 880 yards – P. Cox (Southland)
* 1 mile – F. Ellis (Hawkes Bay)
* 120 yards hurdles – Harold Batger (Wellington)
* Long jump – Leonard Cuff (Canterbury)
* High jump – T. McNaught (Otago)

### Chess

National Champion: Arthur Ollivier, of Christchurch

### Horse racing

**Major race winners**

* New Zealand Cup – Tirailleur
* New Zealand Derby – Scots Grey
* Auckland Cup – Leopold
* Wellington Cup – Dudu

### Lawn bowls

**National Champions**

* Singles – H. Toomer (Canterbury)
* Fours – M. Elliott, P. Dow, W. Allnutt and W. Carlton (skip) (Roslyn)

### Polo

The Christchurch Polo Club is formed.

### Rowing

Coxless pairs and Double sculls are held at the championships for the first time.

**National Champions (Men)**

* Single sculls – T. McKay (Wellington)
* Double sculls – Wellington
* Coxless pairs – Wellington
* Coxed fours – Wellington

## Rugby union

Provincial club rugby champions include:

    see also Category:Rugby union in New Zealand

## Shooting

Ballinger Belt – Sergeant Parslow (Auckland)

## Tennis

After this year the mixed doubles championship are not held again held until 1900.

### New Zealand championships

* Men's singles – P. Fenwicke
* Women's singles – E. Gordon
* Men's doubles – Richard Harman and Frederick Wilding
* Women's doubles – K. Hitchings and E. Gordon
* Mixed doubles – Frederick Wilding and E. Gordon

## Births

* 27 February: Melville Lyons, politician
* 19 June: Cora Louisa Burrell, politician (MLC).

## Deaths

* 26 July: Thomas Gillies, politician
* 26 July: Arthur Fulton, engineer
* 10 December: Robert Campbell, politician
* 13 December: Sarah Greenwood, artist
