Raleigh Street

Raleigh was the name chosen for Waitara in 1867. It remained in use until 1904 when the new Town Board reversed the decision. Waitara does still have Raleigh Street, a long, straight stretch of road running from State Highway 3 into the heart of the township.

New Plymouth also has a Raleigh Street. It is another in the cluster of Vogeltown streets named after famous sailors and explorers. The city also has a Raleigh House, a handsome two-storey residence built in the late 19th century for the Teed family, on the south-west corner of Hine and Weymouth Streets.

Sir Walter Raleigh was born in Hayes Barton, Devon, about 1552. He rose to prominence after distinguishing himself leading Queen Elizabeth's forces in Ireland. Raleigh was rewarded with a large estate in Ireland, a knighthood, as well as a charter to establish a colony on the east coast of America.

Raleigh's early attempts to set up settlements in America were largely unsuccessful, as was his voyage in 1595 to South America in search of the fabled El Dorado. On his return from South America he published The Discovery of Giana, said by some to be a far-fetched account of his adventures.

The accession of James I, following the death of Elizabeth in 1601, was to prove disastrous for Raleigh. Little more than two years later he was found guilty of treason and imprisoned in the Tower of London.

Raleigh was finally released in 1616 to lead one final expedition to South America. This venture was an abject failure and on his return to England he was executed for disobeying orders and attacking a Spanish settlement.

Recently there has been some debate about the correct spelling of Raleigh, with Ralegh preferred by some. Regardless, it seems likely that the current spelling will endure on our street signs for many years to come.

This story was originally published in the Taranaki Daily News.