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The CAMS New Zealand meteor shower survey detected a brief outburst of delta Pavonids (IAU shower 120, code DPA) with a compact radiant on March 31, 2019. This is the first instrumental detection of a shower long suspected to exist by visual observers monitoring the theoretical radiant of parent comet C/1907 G 1 (Grigg-Mellish), despite it being listed in comet catalogs only with a parabolic orbit. The 2019 detection of an associated meteor shower confirms that this comet moves in an elliptical orbit. The range of allowed orbit solutions fitted to the 1907 observations of the comet strongly correlate node and semi-major axis. Taking into account the difference in node between comet orbit and dust trail, the time of the outburst constrains the comet orbital period to 447 ​± ​80 years (heliocentric), having last been near the sun in A. D. 1460 ​± ​80 years. The corresponding elliptical orbital elements for C/1907 G 1 are presented. The short 23-min duration of the outburst (FWHM ​= ​16 ​min) confirms that C/1907 G 1 is a small comet, having ejected dust with low ejection speeds. It passed close enough to Earth orbit to be a potentially hazardous comet in future returns. • An outburst of meteors on March 31, 2019, shows that parent comet Grigg-Mellish moves in an elliptical orbit and was near the Sun before. • The timing of the outburst, combined with the observations of the comet in 1907, constrains the comet orbital period. • The timing of the outburst, combined with the observations of the comet in 1907, constrains the comet orbital period. • The comet ejected the meteoroids when it was near the Sun in A. D. 1460 ± 80 y. • Because the comet will return, and has a small miss-distance, it is a potential impact hazard to Earth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]