title: 1897 in New Zealand
text: # 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).
  