New Zealand - Raglan - Raglan Township, from top of Bow street - 1910 period, dated 1.7.1910 - Gilmour Bros, Raglan, Photographer - Real Photo Post Card Format #500929 Raglan - Raglan is a small beachside town located 48 km west of Hamilton. - It is known for its surfing, and volcanic black sand beaches. - The area has been inhabited for at least 800 years and was originally known by the Māori people as Whaingaroa ("the long pursuit"). The name Raglan was adopted in 1858 in honour of Fitzroy Somerset, 1st Lord Raglan, who had been the commander of British forces in the Crimean War shortly before. - The first Europeans to settle in the area were the Rev James and Mary Wallis, Wesleyan Missionaries who were embraced and welcomed by local Māori in 1835. European settlement, including large scale conversion of land to pasture, began in the mid-1850s after a large sale of land by Chief Wiremu Neera Te Awaitaia. (source - Wikipedia)