1848 in New Zealand

Population

The estimated population of New Zealand at the end of 1848 is 68,300 Māori and 17,166 non-Māori.

Incumbents

Regal and viceregal

• Head of State – Queen Victoria
• Governor – Sir George Grey

Government and law

• Chief Justice — William Martin
• Lieutenant Governor, New Munster — From 28 January, Edward John Eyre
• Lieutenant Governor, New Ulster — From 14 February, George Dean Pitt

Events

• 23 March: The founding of the city of Dunedin and Otago Province, with the arrival of the John Wickliffe, carrying Scottish settlers, at Port Chalmers.
• 23 June: Government House, in Auckland is burned to the ground by a fire believed to have started in the butler's pantry. Most chattels and Government documents were saved.
• 17 September – The first attempt at photography is made in New Zealand. Lieutenant-Governor Eyre is unsuccessful in his attempt to take a daguerreotype of Eliza Grey, wife of Governor Grey.
• 16 October – A magnitude 7.5 earthquake strikes Marlborough, causing three deaths.
• 13 December – Otago News begins publication. The newspaper publishes fortnightly until closing in 1850.

Sport

Cricket

Cricket is played on the present site of The Octagon, Dunedin. A team from Otago challenges Wellington to a match, but the challenge is not accepted.

Births

• 29 April: David Buick, politician.
• 26 August: Sarah Ann McMurray, woodcarver.
• 2 October: (in India) G. M. Thomson, scientist.

Deaths

• 17 June: Joseph Burns, murderer.
• 19 September: William Wakefield, founder of Wellington.
• 22 September (in Berbice, British Guiana): Samuel Martin, land claimant, magistrate, journalist and writer.

References

References

1. "Long-term data series".
2. "[http://www.dunedinlibraries.govt.nz/kids/homework-zone/early-dunedin-and-otago/immigrant-ships the First Otago Immigrant Ships]", Dunedin Public Libraries. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
3. ''The New Zealander'', Auckland, 24 June 1848. Reprinted in Bromby, R. ''An Eyewitness History of New Zealand'' 1985: {{ISBN. 0-85902-306-0
4. "Vintage New Zealand Photography".
5. "Chapter 2: Early Statistical Sources – 19th Century". Statistics New Zealand.
6. Todd, S. (1976) ''Sporting Records of New Zealand.'' Auckland: Moa Publications. {{ISBN. 0-908570-00-7
7. "Sarah McMurray".