1890 in New Zealand

The Savile Cup, the premier polo trophy in New Zealand, is held for the first time. It is presented by and named after the aide-de-camp to the Governor of New Zealand, The Earl of Onslow.

Savile Cup winners – Christchurch

Rowing

National Champions (Men)

Single sculls – T. Sullivan (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 – P. Williams (Wellington Navals)

Swimming

The New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association is formally constituted^[7] on 4 January. It is the second national governing body in the world after the A.S.A. of England.^[8] A subsequent disagreement between the North and South Island clubs leads to the formation of a rival association in the North Island known as the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association Registered. The two associations remain apart until uniting on 21 March 1904.

The first national titles are instituted. Each event is held at a separate carnival (this continues until 1905 when a single championships is held for the first time).^[9] In the first year there are 2 separate carnivals for 100 yards and thus 2 different champions.

National champions (Men)

100 yards freestyle (Hamilton) – H. Bailey (Auckland)
100 yards freestyle (Christchurch) – W. Sneddon (Canterbury)
440 yards freestyle – H. Bailey (Auckland)
880 yards freestyle – A. Duthie (Auckland)

Tennis

National champions

Men's singles – M. Fenwicke
Women's singles – E. Gordon
Men's doubles – M. Fenwicke and J. Jarkine
Women's doubles – K. Hitchings and E. Gordon

Organisations

Founding of the Freemasons' Grand Lodge of New Zealand (April)

Births

2 December: Robert Macalister, Mayor of Wellington.

Deaths

10 February: Joseph May, politician
14 April: Allan Kerr Taylor, businessman
14 July: Hugh Carleton, politician and "first Member of Parliament".
17 July: Richard Turnbull, politician
7 December: Henry Richmond, Superintendent of Taranaki.

References

General

Romanos, J. (2001) New Zealand Sporting Records and Lists. Auckland: Hodder Moa Beckett. ISBN 1-86958-879-7

Specific

^ New Zealand Parliament - Parliament timeline
^ "Elections NZ – Leaders of the Opposition". Archived from the original on 17 October 2008. Retrieved 6 April 2008.
^ Heidenstrom, P. (1992) Athletes of the Century. Wellington: GP Publications. ISBN 1-86956-044-2
^ List of New Zealand Chess Champions Archived 14 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine
^ Auckland Trotting cup at hrnz.co.nz Archived 17 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine
^ As the New Zealand Bowling Association at this time consists largely of South Island clubs, the first truly "national" championships are not deemed to have begun until 1914.
^ Swimming New Zealand: History
^ Beresford, P. (1976) Encyclopedia of Swimming London: Robert Hale and Company
^ Todd, S. (1976) Sporting Records of New Zealand. Auckland: Moa Publications. ISBN 0-908570-00-7