arrives in New Zealand waters. 1848 Settlement of Dunedin founded by Scottish Otago Association. New Ulster Province and New Munster Province set up under 1846 Act. Coal discovered at Brunner on the West Coast. Earthquake centred in Marlborough damages most Wellington buildings. 1850s 1850 Canterbury settlement founded. 1852 Second New Zealand Constitution Act passed creating General Assembly and six provinces with representative government. 1853 Idea of a Māori King canvassed by Tāmihana Te Rauparaha and Hēnare Mātene Te Whiwhi. About 100 Māori – mostly chiefs – enrolled to vote in the forthcoming election. 4 July–1 October: 1853 New Zealand general election 1854 First session of the General Assembly opens in Auckland. 1855 Governor Thomas Gore Browne, appointed in 1854, arrives. A severe magnitude 8.1 earthquake strikes Wairarapa. Noted for having the largest movement of a strike-slip earthquake in history, at 17 meters. Adhesive postage stamps on sale. 28 October–28 December: 1855 New Zealand general election. 1856 Henry Sewell forms first ministry under responsible government and becomes first Premier. Edward Stafford forms first stable ministry. 1857 Foundation of Auckland's first Catholic boys' secondary school, St Peter's School. 1858 New Provinces Act passed. Te Wherowhero installed as first Māori King, taking name Pōtatau I. 1859 First session of Hawke's Bay and Marlborough provincial councils. Gold discovered in Buller River. New Zealand Insurance Company established. 1860s 1860 Waitara dispute develops into First Taranaki War. The Māori King Pōtatau Te Wherowhero dies and is succeeded by his son Tāwhiao. 12 December – 28 March: 1860–1861 New Zealand general election. 1861 George Grey becomes governor for the second time. May, Gabriel Read discovers gold in Gabriel's Gully near Lawrence. Central Otago Gold Rush begins. First session of Southland provincial council. Bank of New Zealand incorporated at Auckland. 1862 The country's first electric telegraph line opens, between Christchurch and Lyttelton. First gold shipment from Dunedin to London. 1863 War resumes in Taranaki and begins in Waikato when General Cameron crosses the Mangatawhiri stream. New Zealand Settlements Act passed to effect land-confiscation. First steam railway in New Zealand, the Ferrymead Railway opened. 7 February: sinks in Manukau Harbour, killing 189 people. 23 February: 7.5 earthquake causes moderate damage across central New Zealand. 1864 War in the Waikato ends with battle of Orakau. Gold discovered in Marlborough and Westland. Arthur, George, and Edward Dobson are the first Pākehā to cross what becomes known as Arthur's Pass. 1865 Capital