Maker: Charlotte Frater

Panel number: 27

Petition Sheet Number: 19 

Person honouring: L. M. Laurent 

Relationship to makers: None 

Lucie Elizabeth Marie Laurent and Lothee Maria Laurent from Kingsland signed panel 19.   Lucie was English and married Major Prosper Laurent of the French army while living in France.  They had four children (symbolised by the fleur-de-lys): Louise Maria, Adele Marianne, Lothee Maria and a son who died in infancy in 1878. The youngest daughter Lothee was born in England in 1867 and the family moved to Australia in 1876, where Major Laurent died 12 months later. Lucie emigrated to New Zealand with her daughters, taking the SS Hero from Melbourne to Auckland.

The letters and the stylised 2018 commemorative suffrage stamp signify Lothee’s 21 years in the post and telegraph department, including positions as the postmistress at Raglan, Tangowahine, Toka Toka and Aratapu, as well as Lucie’s stationery business on Karangahape Road, and Lothee’s many letters to the editor on file at Auckland Museum. According to a newspaper clipping recording her 93rd birthday, Lothee was an “ardent correspondent writing to many universally known celebrities overseas’.

The women had various business initiatives. Lothee supported numerous causes (e.g the SPCA, National Council of Women and the Liberal Party) and was good friend of Richard Seddon. Lucie spoke English, French, German, Italian and Spanish fluently, and Lothee also spoke French.

The family later settled in Dargaville, where Lucie died in 1930. In 1920, age 52, Lothee married Patrick Diamond, a returned soldier 20 years her junior. They adopted four sons (the found diamonds). Lothee died in 1963 aged 95.  

Panel materials: Embroidery threads, appliqued embroidered flowers, buttons and lace come from both my grandmother. Lace flower from my mothers wedding dress and pink and green flowers which from material she used to make smocked dresses.