In 1940, as part of New Zealand’s centennial celebrations, the Committee of the Raglan Old Settlers Association published a booklet to mark the centennial.
The Centennial Medal, issued by the Numismatic Society.
The booklet paid tribute to Raglan residents who’d lived in New Zealand for over 75 years. They were also honoured with the Centennial Ribbon and Medal, given to people who had lived in New Zealand for 75 years or longer.
The small number of these long-term residents is a reflection of the relatively lower life expectancy in New Zealand at the time. Pakeha men and women generally didn’t live past their early 70s, while Maori men and women generally didn’t live past their mid 50s.
The following text is taken directly from the booklet.
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The Raglan District Pioneers (Pakeha and Maori) whose photographs appear in this Booklet, qualify for the Centennial Ribbon for 75 years or longer residence in New Zealand.
Mrs Alfred E Jerome
Mrs Alfred E Jerome was born in Taranaki 87 years ago and came to Raglan with her parents, Mr and Mrs A. Kescel when four years old. Her father took up 550 acres of land at Okete where she lived until she met and married Mr AE Jerome. Mrs Jerome still lives on the old property, and is in wonderful health for her age. She went through all the hardships of pioneer life in her early days, and now in the evening of her life has all the comforts of modern times.
Mr William J Saunders
Mr William Jackson Saunders was born at “Tubber-Dunlavin.” County Wicklow, Ireland in 1858, coming to New Zealand in 1860 by the ship “Northern Bride” (Captain Betts). With his parents he resided at Avondale for seven years coming to Raglan in 1868. As a young man Mr Saunders had a very eventful life; to use his own words: “I’ve worked at practically everything except sailoring.” In 1889 he married Miss Rose Yearbury of Aotea North and with his wife they came to live on the old homestead at Te Hutewai, where they still reside.
Mrs Robert Vernon
Mrs Robert Vernon, who is Mrs AE Jerome’s younger sister, was born in Taranaki 85 years ago, coming to Raglan with her parents, Mr and Mrs Kescel, when about two years of age. She lived on their large holding at Okete until she met and married Mr Robert Vernon. After his death some years ago, Mrs Vernon successfully carried on farming. About ten years ago Mrs Vernon sold the old homestead, buying a property on the main road in Te Mata, more centrally situated and where she now has a beautiful home. She still supervises all her own business and has at present a sheep farm.
Miss Letitia Saunders
Miss Letitia Saunders was born at Avondale in 1865 and is a sister of Mr WJ Saunders. When three years old she came to Raglan with her parents. She spent several years in Auckland and then came back to Te Hutewai, residing on part of her father’s old homestead. Later she became the chief maternity nurse in the Raglan district and in widely and affectionately known as “Auntie Letty.” Her headquarters is still in the old Te Hutewai homestead, where she lives with her niece, Mrs Twin Park. She is still very active and has still the capacity of being able to enjoy life to the full.
Mr Henry Bregmen
Mr Henry Bregmen was born at Waiuku on September 9th 1864. At the age of ten he assisted his father and uncle Bob to drive cattle from Waiuku to Whatawhata. After swimming them over the Waipa River, they followed a bush track to Te Mata. Apart from a spell of several years in Glen Murray, Mr Bregmen has lived in Te Mata most of his lifetime. He has never shaved in his life. He has a cheery smile for all and is still in good health.
Mrs Jessie C Donaldson
Born in Raglan 75 years ago, Mrs Jessie Cameron Donaldson is the elder daughter of a pioneer settler, the late Mr George Moon, who came from Cornwall to New Plymouth in the ship “Blenheim” in 1842, and twelve years later settled in Raglan, bringing with him a whaleboat and the first vehicle (a small gig) to be seen in this district. Its axle and one spring still brave the elements at Mrs. Donaldson’s home, Raglan.
Mr William Gibbison
Mr William Gibbison was born at Kauroa, Raglan in 1859. His parents who came from the Border Country, first settled in Australia, leaving there for NZ in 1855. Taking up a tract of virgin bush land in the Kauroa Valley, they were forced to cut a track two miles long through standing bush to reach their section. Mr Gibbison who was twice married had a family of eight children, one son, Andrew, making the supreme sacrifice in the Great War.
Mrs Alice Clisby Langley
Born in 1854 the late Mrs Alice Clisby Langley was the daughter of the late Mr and Mrs Hamar Arden of Bell Block, Taranaki, and after living at Waitara, Manaia and Kawhia came to Raglan half a century ago with her husband, Mr AR Langley, who at the time of his death three years ago was one of Raglan’s most prominent citizens. Besides a host of other interests, the late Mr and Mrs Langley were keen horticulturists, their garden always being a joy to behold.
Mr George Moon
Mr George Moon was born in Te Uku 76 years ago and is the second son of the late Mr John Moon who came to New Plymouth from Cornwall in 1842. Twelve years later he acquired several holdings in Te Uku and brought the first flock of sheep to the Raglan district. Mr George Moon is farming part of this property at the present time. His eldest son, Kenneth, died in Palestine while serving with the New Zealand forced in the Great War.
Mr Peter Middlemiss
Mr Peter Middlemiss was born at Nelson, NZ in 1860 and came to Raglan with his wife and family in 1888. After managing a flax-mill at Te Akau for three years, he started in business as a blacksmith in Wallis St, Raglan where, until his retirement in 1936 he was actively engaged in horse-shoeing and general smithy work. Mrs Middlemiss died two ago leaving a family of two daughters and a one son.
Miss Jane Wilson
Miss Jane Wilson who was born at Okete in 1858 is the youngest daughter of the late Mr and Mrs T Wilson who came to Raglan in the early ’50s and took up land at Okete, which later on Miss Wilson herself farmed until her retirement from active life, nine years ago. She is a noted horsewoman, and quite lately performed the astounding feat of bringing down two pheasants with one shot.
Mr James La Trobe
Mr James La Trobe was born in 1861 and after his marriage to Miss Louisa Moon was engaged in flax-milling and farming at Te Uku for many years; taking an active part in County affairs. He was for a considerable period councillor for the Whaingaroa Riding on the Raglan County Council. His father, the late Mr J La Trobe, was a pioneer settler who in his later years was a teacher at the Raglan School, and a lay reader in the first Anglican Church.
Mrs Pareue Watarauihi
Makaka.
Born at Whatawhata, 1842.
Age 98 years.
Mrs Hengaia Waitere
Makaka.
Born at Kawhia, 1848.
Age 92 years.
Mrs Ngaki Wekiriwhi
Makaka.
Born at Whatawhata, 1850.
Age 90 years.
Mrs Hemohaere Hika Kingi, Te Kopua
Born at Whakamarama, Tauranga, 1864.
Age 76 years.
Mr Whatau Pahi
Born at Te Kopua in 1863, Mr Pahi can relate stories of the days when the Raglan and Kawhia harbours were the main routes of transport and the Maoris from all parts of the district would arrive in their canoes at the waterfront where many a good bargain was struck.
[This text was taken from a later report in the Raglan County Chronicle, 1944]
Mrs Rangiaukaha Rapana
Te Kopua.
Born at Nelson, 1863.
Age 77 years.