Maker: Susan Lee

Panel number: 332

Petition sheet number: 398

Person honouring: Alice H. [Heron] Maxwell

Relationship to maker: Geographical

Alice Maxwell is a woman I have always honoured due to her foresight in preserving my favourite historical property here in Tauranga. I often visited her nephew Duff, who inherited the Elms from Alice.

Alice spent most of her life working to conserve the historic Te Papa mission station, and her dedication was courageous and far-sighted for the time. 

She was born in October 1860 in Kilmore, Victoria, Australia, the daughter of Euphemia Ballingall Johnston and the Reverend Andrew Maxwell, a minister of the Free Church of Scotland.

In 1865, Alice emigrated to New Zealand with her mother and siblings after the death of her father. They came to Wellington, where her uncle Alexander James Johnston, was a judge of the Supreme Court. Euphemia strongly opposed the idea of her daughters marrying – while Alice did have a suitor, she was refused permission to marry. A brooch she wore throughout her life may have been given to her by the suitor. 

Alice’s aunt Christina married a widowed missionary, Alfred Nesbit Brown; they lived at Te Papa mission station in Tauranga. Alice eventually inherited the property, known as The Elms, as a life tenant and moved to Tauranga with her mother and sister Edith.

Alice spent over 60 years working tirelessly to preserve The Elms and its contents. She introduced palms and native plants with many flower species. During World War 1 Alice and Edith sold flowers from their gardens to raise funds for soldiers. The gardens were recently recognised as a ‘Garden of National Significance’.

Alice died on 24 July 1949 and was buried in the Tauranga Mission Cemetery.

Panel materials: Post-vintage recycled – a few from when Alice signed the petition. Small white broderie anglaise patch in the crazy quilt torn from an early 20th century pillowcase bought in a Tauranga garage sale … it could even have belonged to a contemporary of Alice’s. Old handkerchief, a cross-stitch bought in a local op shop, and motifs from doilies – little hints about Alice and to commemorate her mother Euphemia who made the quilt that adorns Alice’s bed in The Elms. Euphemia was a most-accomplished embroiderer who, according to legend, used to snip pieces from the skirts and ties of her guests to include in her quilts! The white foundation fabric was torn from an old sheet pensioned from my bed; the green linen background was a too-small, favourite shirt of mine. I enjoy painting so painted the house and Alice’s beloved violets myself before embellishing them with embroidery. The pink violet among those that honour other women who signed the petition is for me; I would have joined the petition to gain the right to vote! As for Alice’s 1880s photo … this personal gift was provided by Alice’s great niece so she could honour her beloved aunt in a special way.