1855 in New Zealand

Population

The estimated population of New Zealand at the end of 1855 is 59,500 Māori and 37,192 non-Māori. [Statistics New Zealand has collated estimates from a number of sources (interpolating where necessary) at cite web |url=http://www.stats.govt.nz/tables/ltds/ltds-population.htm |title=Long-term data series |accessdate=2008-03-14 |format= |work= , in particular cite web |url=http://www.stats.govt.nz/tables/ltds/ltds-population.htm |title=A1.1 Total population.xls |accessdate=2008-03-14 |format=Excel|work= ]

Incumbents

Regal and Vice Regal

*Head of State - Queen Victoria
*Governor – Colonel Thomas Gore Browne, appointed in 1854, arrives to take up his position on 6 September.

Government and law

The 1st Parliament is dissolved on 15 September in preparation for the 1855 general election. The election starts on 26 October and concludes on 28 December. The 2nd Parliament is not formed until 15 April 1856.

There is neither an official Prime mInister/Premier/Colonial Secretary or Finance Minister/Colonial Secretary in the government at this point in time. (see 1st New Zealand Parliament)

*Speaker of the House – Sir Charles Clifford
*Chief Justice – William Martin

Events

* January: The Māori language magazine, "The Maori Messenger" or "Te Karere Maori" resumes publication with a change to the Māori title. It stopped publication the previous year. Under this name, it continues until 1861. [cite web|url=http://www.stats.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/9E78F21A-EF20-4C82-934B-1587FC7489CC/0/StatPubschapter2.pdf|work=Statistical publications 1840-2000|title=Chapter 2: Early Statistical Sources – 19th Century|pages=p 11|format=PDF|publisher=Statistics New Zealand]
* 23 January: The 1855 Wairarapa earthquake causes extensive damage but few deaths. The quake, estimated at magnitude 8.2, raises parts of the Wellington harbour foreshore by as much as 6 metres. [ [http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/timeline&new_date=23/01 Today in History | NZHistory] ]
* July: New Zealand's first postage stamps are issued.

Arts and literature

Music

Appointments and awards

*Bishop of New Zealand - George Augustus Selwyn

port

Cricket

Horse racing

The Canterbury Jockey Club holds it’s first meeting, at Riccarton Racecourse, including the Canterbury Cup (which is run in heats).Todd, S. (1976) "Sporting Records of New Zealand." Auckland: Moa Publications. ISBN 0-908570-00-7] (see also 1854)

Births

Unknown date

* Walter Carncross, politician.
* William Whitehouse Collins, politician.

Deaths

ee also

*List of years in New Zealand
*Timeline of New Zealand history
*History of New Zealand
*Military history of New Zealand
*Timeline of environmental history of New Zealand
*Timeline of New Zealand's links with Antarctica

"For world events and topics in 1855 not specifically related to New Zealand see": 1855

References