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Date: 1953

From: Colvin, Neville Maurice, 1918-1991 :[Twenty-eight (28) original cartoons, 1940s and 1950s].

By: Colvin, Neville Maurice, 1918-1991; Evening Post (Wellington, N.Z.)

Reference: C-132-887

Description: Shows Sir John Allum, the Mayor of Auckland giving advice to a suicidal man, seated in a chair with a noose around his neck. He has already tried a gun, arsenic, prussic acid, and a razor. The reason for his dejection is a telegramme from Prime Minister Holland, rejecting a request for a loan for building the Auckland Harbour Bridge. At the top left is stuck a clipping from the Evening Post, 21 March 1953, page 10. Other Titles - No loan money for Auckland's bridge Inscriptions: Recto - top left - This cartoon was rejected by the Editor on the grounds that he did not think that the Evening Post should help contribute to the increase in the suicide rate in N.Z. - N.M.C. Quantity: 1 original cartoon(s). Physical Description: Ink and crayon drawing, on sheet 290 x 434 mm.

Date: 1949

By: Evening Post (Wellington, N.Z.)

Reference: C-164-050

Description: The title reads 'Hardly cricket! The cartoon shows a game of cricket with the 'Budget' as the wickets. Labour bowls and National bats and the two leaders wear multiple hats. From the left, clockwise, the batters (National) are - ?, William Sullivan, William Goosman, National leader Sid Holland, ?, Ronald Algie. From left clockwise (Labour) are Walter Nash, PM Peter Fraser, Robert Semple, ?, ?, ?. A judge sitting above calls out 'No ball', 'over', wide', and 'out'. Text reads 'Station 2YA - We now cross for a bawl by bawl commentary by John-Owe-a-lot, on the third day's play of the match Gentlemen v. Players - "Holland has yet to open his Account... Nash opens the bowling... Fraser will take over at the other end... Holland loans into this one and makes a recovery drive for four million... John Taxpayer sends a very poor return into the income tax people.... Semple comes on to bawl... He's looking for an argument to bowl with... What's Orson Wells doing at Third Man? Goosman is yet to break his duck... Now he electrifies the crowd with a tremendous power cut... Point of order is moving in... There's an apeal against the Electric Light Account... and they're taking the tea adjournment, so I'll pass you over to "Arfer Million for his impressions so far".' The title 'Start of the political stunt season' is at the bottom. Scribbled in blue ink are the words 'Cancelled' (why?) Was it because Labour lost and this cartoon shows them pretty confident? Also text '4 col Stipple over carpet'. Quantity: 1 original cartoon(s). Physical Description: Ink on paper 555 x 760 mm

Date: 1952

By: Colvin, Neville Maurice, 1918-1991; Evening Post (Wellington, N.Z.)

Reference: B-184-049

Description: Through the window of number 10 Downing Street, Prime Minister Sid Holland can be seen shaking hands with British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill. Outside the front door stands a hopeful pound note. Context - This meeting probably took place during the Commonwealth Ministers Conference in December 1952. Sid Holland is probably trying to ensure good trade and economic relations. Quantity: 1 original cartoon(s). Physical Description: Ink and pencil on paper 380 x 560 mm

Date: 1950

By: Colvin, Neville Maurice, 1918-1991; Evening Post (Wellington, N.Z.)

Reference: B-184-036

Description: The Prime Minister Sid Holland has just completed a painting of the state of New Zealand's finances - it is entitled 'The financial situation 1950'. Text reads '"It would not be fair to the artist if you did not have a look at the whole picture before commenting on it." - said Mr Nash, referring to Mr Holland's Report on New Zealand's Finances'. Leader of the opposition Labour Party Walter Nash looks at the painting and says 'Hm'm - I painted much the same subject only last year - but in very, very bright colours!' Context - Nash became leader of the Labour Party at the end of 1950 when Peter Fraser died but he had been Finance Minister in the Savage and Fraser ministries from 1935. The economy was becoming sluggish and most Western European countries, as well as several in East Asia, overtook New Zealand in terms of real per capita income. The title 'Modern art' and the words '4 col' appear at the bottom of the cartoon. Quantity: 1 original cartoon(s). Physical Description: Ink and blue pencil on paper 380 x 560 mm

Date: 1954

By: Colvin, Neville Maurice, 1918-1991; Evening Post (Wellington, N.Z.)

Reference: B-184-038

Description: A group of men dance and clap as an ancient man with '"Gaffer" parliamrnt printed on his vest skips under the joined hands of PM Sid Holland and leader of the opposition Walter Nash. Above them are decorations that include a placard bearing the words 'Happy "100th" Gran'dad'. Context - the celebrations marking the one hundredth anniversary of the first meeting of parliament in May 1854. The first colonial secretary was Andrew Sinclair. At bottom of cartoon in pencil is text reading 'What a constitution!' and '3 col Today Monday 24th May '54'. Quantity: 1 original cartoon(s). Physical Description: Ink and pastel on paper, 390 x 560 mm

Date: 1949 - 1951

By: Colvin, Neville Maurice, 1918-1991; Evening Post (Wellington, N.Z.)

Reference: B-184-043

Description: The cartoon shows gigantic waves interspersed with question marks that are bearing down on a flimsy raft on which is standing PM Sid Holland and a terrified chicken resembling Education Minister Ronald Algie. Possibly refers to the waterfront strike in 1951 At bottom of cartoon in pencil is text reading '3 col today L. News'.'. Quantity: 1 original cartoon(s). Physical Description: Ink, pencil and Chinese white on paper, 380 x 560 mm

Date: 1949 - 1951

By: Colvin, Neville Maurice, 1918-1991; Evening Post (Wellington, N.Z.)

Reference: B-184-042

Description: The cartoon is composed of five cameos; reading anti-clockwise the first has text reading 'featuring such artists as Fred (Spike) Jones and his City Boot-Clickers' and shows the 'Spike Jones' (American?) band playing. The second has text that reads 'Bob Semple in a humourous recitation "They wouldn't let me broadcast that!"' and shows Bob Semple former trade unionist and MP in the first Labour government, yelling into a microphone. The third has the text 'And Fred Doidge swooning about "UNO I love you"' and shows Fred Doidge (Minister for Foreign Affairs and thus involved with the United Nations Organisation) singing into a microphone labelled 'NBC' (National Broadcasting Corporation). The fourth shows Sir Walter Nash, leader of the Labour opposition, holding a microphone and raising his hat accompanied by the text 'And Walter Nash, in his "Tax it from here" programme (They're very prahd of Wal back in the buildings)! The fifth and last has text reading 'Sid Holland and his search for "talent" requesting John Public to "Put another mickle in -" and shows PM Sid Holland with a large radio in the background with the words 'What's DUE box' above it exhorting a cross-looking man to pay more. Context - Sid Holland appears to be promoting the idea of more local talent on the national radio. Spike Jones and his City Slickers were an American jazz band. At bottom of cartoon in pencil is text reading '4 1/2 col'. Quantity: 1 original cartoon(s). Physical Description: Ink on paper, 380 x 560 mm

Date: 1949

By: Evening Post (Wellington, N.Z.)

Reference: C-164-049

Description: The title in pencil below is 'Start of the political stunt season'. Sid Holland, leader of the National Party, has tried to do a series of somersaults and ends up crashing painfully onto the mat. Nearby PM Peter Fraser (standing on one hand) and Finance Minister, Walter Nash, do competent gymnastic exercises and the PM says (referring to Sid Holland's crash) 'I believe he calls it the 'No confidence motion'. Context - the run up to the 1949 election which was won comfortably by National. The title 'Start of the political stunt season' is at the bottom. Scribbled in blue ink are the words 'Cancelled' (why?) Was it because Labour lost and this cartoon shows them pretty confident? Also text '4 col Stipple over carpet'. Quantity: 1 original cartoon(s). Physical Description: Ink on paper 555 x 760 mm

Date: 1955 - 1956

By: Colvin, Neville Maurice, 1918-1991; Evening Post (Wellington, N.Z.)

Reference: B-184-044

Description: 'Commissionaire' PM Sid Holland holds open the door to a theatre for a small boy sucking a lollipop. Above the door are the words 'Commission Agent' a "Who-dunnit-and-how-can-we-solve-it" mystery'. The 'Programme' reads '1. Commission news, 2. Bugs Bunny Committee (very funny), 3. Travelogue - round N.Z. with a Commission, 4. Documentary - How a Commission works, Intercommission, 5. "Commission Agent"'. On another notice board are the words 'Coming this Thursday WATT's IN THE BUDGET'. Context - the May budget being presented by Finance Minister Jack Watts in 1955 or 1956. The emphasis on the word 'commission' probably refers to the 'New Zealand Monetary Commission 1955-1956'. The Monetary Commission was a Royal Commission established in March 1955 to investigate the deficiencies of the banking system and to try to display inconsistencies in Social Credit precepts. Social Credit had won 11% of the total vote in the 1954 election which upset political calculations. At bottom of cartoon in pencil is text reading '4 col Leader P. Wed' and 'Stipple (where have I heard that word before?) as indicated'. Quantity: 1 original cartoon(s). Physical Description: Ink and letratone on paper, 380 x 560 mm

Date: 1949

By: Colvin, Neville Maurice, 1918-1991; Evening Post (Wellington, N.Z.)

Reference: B-184-046

Description: Prime Minister Sid Holland sits weeping at his desk over a note from Sir Winston Churchill that reads 'Can't make it - Winnie'. Portraits of Winston Churchill adorn the walls and the PM's desk. Keith Holyoake has just ushered a man through the door and says 'Go on in, Anthony - the dodge worked in "Charley's aunt"!' Context - Obviously refers to a hoped for visit from Sir Winston Churchill that didn't eventuate. The substitute is Anthony Eden who was Foreign Secretary and deputy leader of the Conservative Party from 1951 to 1955 and PM from 1955 to 1957 and who visited New Zealand and Australia in February 1949. At bottom of cartoon in pencil is the title 'The substitute' and text reading '3 col Leader P. Wed'. Anthony Eden toured Australia and New Zealand in February 1949. Quantity: 1 original cartoon(s). Physical Description: Ink and pencil on paper, 380 x 560 mm

Date: 1950 - 1951

By: Colvin, Neville Maurice, 1918-1991; Evening Post (Wellington, N.Z.)

Reference: B-184-047

Description: Cock Robin lies dead with an arrow through his heart, shot from the bow of PM Sid Holland. The 'Who killed Cock Robin?' rhyme has been altered to fit the occasion. It reads 'WHO KILLED THE COUNCIL? "I", said the Prime Minister, "With my little Bill, I killed the Council". WHO'LL BEAR HIS PALL? "We" said Algie and Marshall, "With uncle Tom Cobley an' all, we'll bear the pall". WHO'LL SING A PSALM? "I" said Mr Fraser, "I'll sing his praise, Sir, I'll sing a psalm." WHO'LL LEAD THE WAY? "I', said the Hon. Lee Martin, "It's all my eye and Betty Martin, I'll lead the way". WHO SAW HIM DIE? "I" said Bill Polson, "with my little aye, I saw him die." WHO'LL DIG HIS GRAVE? "We," said the suicide squad, "We'll turn the first sod, we'll dig his grave." WHO'LL MAKE HIS SHROUD? "I," said Sir Bill Perry, Not to be contrary, I'll make his shroud." WHO'LL TOLL THE BELL? "We," said the Labour chorus, "take pity on poor us, we'll toll the bell." 'All the birds in the air sobbed loud & shrill when they heard of the passing of the Legislative Council'. - To all it concerns, who read this collection - will Cock Robin stand at the next general election?' Context - The Legislative Council of New Zealand was the upper house of the New Zealand Parliament from 1853 until 1951. In 1950, the National Party, now in government, passed the Legislative Council Abolition Act. To assist its passage into law, Holland appointed twenty members known as the 'suicide squad', to vote for their own abolition, just as the Australian state of Queensland had done to abolish its upper house in 1922. They included former MPs Harold Dickie and Garnet Mackley. At bottom of cartoon in pencil is the title 'Cock Robin' and text reading '4 col' and '(Approved by editor)' Quantity: 1 original cartoon(s). Physical Description: Ink on paper 450 x 590 mm