The first child to be born to Flossie and Bertie, on 4th May 1899, and like them, was born at Glenbrook, it was not long after this occasion that they purchased a property at Maiora, directly opposite the Henry's cousins farm. They remained there until 1904 when they bought and sold another property just down the road at Otaua, next door to the school, enable Laurence just to walk next door! The three older children
attended Otaua, Laurence, Nora, and Claude. In 1908 they removed to Waiuku Primary school, however family records show that the farm was
not sold until 1909 when a small farm was purchased in Colombo Rd, Waiuku. It was in the "red shed" on the farm was where Laurence
experienced his first cigarette, probably with some mates, or even another brother!
Laurence won a scholarship to attend Auckland Grammar School from 1912-1917. With a University Entrance Scholarship, he entered
Auckland University to study law in 1917, for one year. He then completed his study part-time while working for Buddle, Richmond & Buddle,
graduating with L.L.B. in 1919. Admitted as a Barrister & Solicitor on 17th September 1920.
While a young lawyer snow skiing was a leisure pursuit, however in those day one had to climb up every foot to ski down the mountain! Laurence also represented Auckland University at rugby, was team captain, also playing for the Auckland B team, where he was captain for three years. Tennis and Golf were also to play a very important part in Laurence's life. At about the age of 20 he met Kathleen Mulcock, whom he married in 1924.
Her parents were farmers, firstly in the South Island, then in Waimauku and finally Papatoetoe. Laurence worked with Buddle, Richmond and
Buddle, from 1918-December 1927, 1936-1946 he was with them on a part-time basis, becoming a full time employee again in 1946 till 1957,
when he went into partnership with Bennett and Warnock. Becoming Bennet Warnock and Mellsop, until 1978 when he became a consultant, until his retirement on 4th April 1985 having spent 67 years in a legal office. When the depression came Laurence was struggling with a young family and a new law practice, he lost his house in Remuera and his law books. He took his young family and shifted to the country where he would get up early in the morning milk cows and then sells the cream before going to work in the city. It Would be during the time 1934-46 when he was in sole practice, and part- time with B.R. & B, as usual, Laurence showed his ability to bounce back and succeeded. He was a true family lawyer and acted for up to three generations of some of his clients families. Acting for many family members : - cousins, Aunts, and even brothers, there are nieces and nephews who can recall visiting his chambers in High St, Auckland with their parents. His professionalism was much respected and admired by his colleagues. Laurence was a family man, family were of great importance to him, something that would have been encouraged in his childhood days, when family were like clans, never living too far away from each other.
In later years there were holidays to the family bach at Piha, north west of Auckland. Laurence remembered seeing his first movie film
in the Otaua hall about 1907, and first saw a radio in 1923. He had not seen a motor car until he went to school in Auckland in 1912. Access
from Auckland to Waiuku then was either by horse drawn gig or buggy, to Pukekohe and then by train, or take the scow to Onehunga.
Laurence and Kathleen were on a overseas trip when Kathleen took ill so they returned to NZ. Kathleen died in 1967.
As we are aware the name Mellsop is synonymous with Ladies Golf. Laurence and his second wife Thora Mellsop (nee Stace) were in Nelson to present the trophy (as the eldest living Mellsop male) where he collapsed and died in on 21st October. 1986
attended Otaua, Laurence, Nora, and Claude. In 1908 they removed to Waiuku Primary school, however family records show that the farm was
not sold until 1909 when a small farm was purchased in Colombo Rd, Waiuku. It was in the "red shed" on the farm was where Laurence
experienced his first cigarette, probably with some mates, or even another brother!
Laurence won a scholarship to attend Auckland Grammar School from 1912-1917. With a University Entrance Scholarship, he entered
Auckland University to study law in 1917, for one year. He then completed his study part-time while working for Buddle, Richmond & Buddle,
graduating with L.L.B. in 1919. Admitted as a Barrister & Solicitor on 17th September 1920.
While a young lawyer snow skiing was a leisure pursuit, however in those day one had to climb up every foot to ski down the mountain! Laurence also represented Auckland University at rugby, was team captain, also playing for the Auckland B team, where he was captain for three years. Tennis and Golf were also to play a very important part in Laurence's life. At about the age of 20 he met Kathleen Mulcock, whom he married in 1924.
Her parents were farmers, firstly in the South Island, then in Waimauku and finally Papatoetoe. Laurence worked with Buddle, Richmond and
Buddle, from 1918-December 1927, 1936-1946 he was with them on a part-time basis, becoming a full time employee again in 1946 till 1957,
when he went into partnership with Bennett and Warnock. Becoming Bennet Warnock and Mellsop, until 1978 when he became a consultant, until his retirement on 4th April 1985 having spent 67 years in a legal office. When the depression came Laurence was struggling with a young family and a new law practice, he lost his house in Remuera and his law books. He took his young family and shifted to the country where he would get up early in the morning milk cows and then sells the cream before going to work in the city. It Would be during the time 1934-46 when he was in sole practice, and part- time with B.R. & B, as usual, Laurence showed his ability to bounce back and succeeded. He was a true family lawyer and acted for up to three generations of some of his clients families. Acting for many family members : - cousins, Aunts, and even brothers, there are nieces and nephews who can recall visiting his chambers in High St, Auckland with their parents. His professionalism was much respected and admired by his colleagues. Laurence was a family man, family were of great importance to him, something that would have been encouraged in his childhood days, when family were like clans, never living too far away from each other.
In later years there were holidays to the family bach at Piha, north west of Auckland. Laurence remembered seeing his first movie film
in the Otaua hall about 1907, and first saw a radio in 1923. He had not seen a motor car until he went to school in Auckland in 1912. Access
from Auckland to Waiuku then was either by horse drawn gig or buggy, to Pukekohe and then by train, or take the scow to Onehunga.
Laurence and Kathleen were on a overseas trip when Kathleen took ill so they returned to NZ. Kathleen died in 1967.
As we are aware the name Mellsop is synonymous with Ladies Golf. Laurence and his second wife Thora Mellsop (nee Stace) were in Nelson to present the trophy (as the eldest living Mellsop male) where he collapsed and died in on 21st October. 1986
Laurence's dates: Born 4 May 1899 Otaua, Waiuku, Died 11 Oct 1986 Nelson