Maker: Marie van der Voorn

Panel number: 413

Petition sheet number: 501

Person honouring: Clara Alma Chapman

Relationship to maker: Great-grandmother

Clara Alma Carne was born in Budock Cornwall in 1863. She emigrated to New Zealand with her parents and siblings on the Invererne, departing London five days before her 10th birthday, and arriving in Napier on 8 March 1874. They were accompanied by a family friend, James Henry Chapman, who Clara would marry in 1881.

Clara and James moved to Mangatainoka and had six children together. They cleared land and had great success with the crops they grew; in particular, returns on their potato crop were published as an example of what settlers could achieve. Clara also had a talent for growing and arranging flowers, often winning awards in the local horticultural shows.

Clara was 29 when she signed the 1893 petition. Earlier that year she was successfully voted on to the Mangatainoka School Committee. The result was subsequently overturned by the Secretary for Education on the grounds that the definition of householder in the School Committees Act 1892 was the husband and not the wife, and therefore she was not legally entitled to the seat. 

Tragically James died in 1898, leaving Clara a widow with her youngest child not yet one year old. Life changed significantly for Clara after this as she struggled to keep the farm and raise the children. Sadly this took its toll on her health.

She died in Auckland in 1924.

Panel materials: The panel has Cornish tartan to reflect her early years; linen and aida cloth, embellished with items, to portray her childhood and later years; and utilises vintage fur, beading, and lace.