Places

Date: 1948

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

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

Reference: C-132-864

Description: Shows the Prime Minister Peter Fraser, standing as Saint Peter with his keys at the Gates of Heaven. He is approached by the "Mountpark" Tribunal, led by the Judge who offers his hand to Fraser. The Gates have labels on them reading, "Mountpark Deadlock" "Now open". This refers to an incident during the 1948 dispute on board the ship "Mountpark" in Auckland Harbour. Fraser was originally shown standing in a nightdress, but, out of respect for the figure of the Prime Minister, this was overlaid with a jacket, tie and trousers. Quantity: 1 original cartoon(s). Physical Description: Ink drawing, mounted on board 403 x 560 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: 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: 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