# 1898 in New Zealand

"none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive
The following lists events that happened during 1898 in New Zealand.

## Incumbents
### Regal and viceregal

* Head of State – Queen Victoria
* Governor – The Earl of Ranfurly GCMG

### 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

### Parliamentary opposition

Leader of the Opposition – William Russell.

### Main centre leaders

* Mayor of Auckland – Peter Dignan followed by David Goldie
* Mayor of Christchurch – Walter Cooper followed by Charles Louisson
* Mayor of Dunedin – Edward Bowes Cargill followed by William Swan
* Mayor of Wellington – John Rutherford Blair

## Events

* 1 December: W H Bartlett films the opening of the Auckland Industrial and Mining Exhibition. The film is screened on Christmas Eve at Bartlett's studio – the first public screening of a New Zealand film.
* Bell Tea is founded.

## Sport
### Athletics

National Champions, Men:
* 100 yards – George Smith (Auckland)
* 250 yards – Alfred J. Patrick (Wellington)
* 440 yards – R. Oliphant (Auckland)
* 880 yards – H. C. Garsia (Canterbury)
* 1 mile – S. Pentecost (Canterbury)
* 3 miles – S. Pentecost (Canterbury)
* 120 yards hurdles – Arthur H. Holder (Wanganui)
* 440 yards hurdles – George Smith (Auckland)
* Long jump – Alan Good (Wanganui)
* High jump – Hugh Good (Wanganui)
* Pole vault – Hori Eruera (Auckland)
* Shot put – Hugh Good (Wanganui)
* Hammer throw – J. Skinner (Auckland)

### Chess

National Champion:
* R.J. Barnes of Wellington. (Played over new year 1897/98)
* R.A. Cleland of Dunedin (played December 1898)

### Golf

The National Amateur Championships were held in Christchurch
* Men – W. Pryde (Hutt)
* Women – K. Rattray (Otago)

### Horse racing
#### Harness racing

* Auckland Trotting Cup (over 2 miles) is won by Duke C.

#### Thoroughbred racing

* New Zealand Cup – Tirant D’eau
* New Zealand Derby – Altair
* Auckland Cup – Uhlan - the first horse-race to be filmed in New Zealand
* Wellington Cup – Uniform

#### Season leaders (1897/98)

* Top New Zealand stakes earner – Multiform
* Leading flat jockey – W. Brown

### Lawn Bowls

National Champions
* Singles – W. McIlwrick (Dunedin)
* Pairs – C. Nicholson and W. McLaren (skip) (Kaitangata)
* Fours – W. Cowie, C. Fynmore, M. Sinclair and A. Gillies (skip) (Dunedin)

### Polo

* Savile Cup winners – Oroua

### Rowing

National Champions (Men)
* Single sculls – J. McGrath (Otago)
* Double sculls – Otago
* Coxless pairs – Wellington
* Coxed fours – Picton

### Rugby union

Provincial club rugby champions include:
    see also Category:Rugby union in New Zealand

### Shooting

Ballinger Belt – Private J. McGregor (Oamaru Rifles)

### Soccer

Provincial league champions:
* Auckland: Auckland United
* Otago: Wakari Dunedin
* Wellington: Wellington Rovers

### Swimming

National champions (Men)
* 100 yards freestyle – A. Truscott (Canterbury)
* 440 yards freestyle – C. Rich (Canterbury)

### Tennis

National champions
* Men's singles – J. Hooper
* Women's singles – Kathleen Nunneley
* Men's doubles – H. Parker and C. Gore
* Women's doubles – Kathleen Nunneley and E. Kennedy

## Births

* 8 October: George Davidson, Olympic sprinter.

## Deaths

* 2 January: John Cargill, politician (born 1821).
* 3 May: John Kerr, politician (born 1830).
* 29 June: Charles Parker, politician (born 1809).
* 15 July: Francis Dillon Bell, politician (born 1822).
* 31 October: William Gilbert Rees, explorer and settler (born 1827).
* 25 November: William Downie Stewart, politician (born 1842).
* 29 November: Thomas Forsaith, politician (born 1814).