Published on
Image description
THE Criterion was Wonthaggi’s short-lived first newspaper. These front-page editorial cartoons by Cyril Dobbs were published during 1910.
 
Little is known about Dobbs. According to a citation on Design and Art Australia Online, he contributed to the Bullletin and drew cartoons for a publication called the Gadfly in 1907 when, aged 17, he was living in Melbourne.
 
If the dates are correct, it means that he was just 20 when he did these cartoons for The Criterion. His connection to Wonthaggi is unknown, but he was clearly pro-union, pro-Labor and pro-miner and anti-capitalist.
 
This essay was first published in The Plod, the newsletter of the Wonthaggi & District Historical Society.
NO PLACE FOR GENTLEMEN GUNS. Trainer: “Come along, my beauty, here’s a fair field and no favour and a perfectly clean course.”
THE RULES OF THE GAME. Private E: “I claim foul; he’s hitting me below the belt!” State E: Your belt’s climbed up a bit; it should be where your sash is!” Miss V: “No foul allowed! You can be belted from the sash upwards!”
WANTED: A STATE HOTEL. Mrs Grundy: “Drat these ducks. I don’t see why if they must have liquid, they can’t take it out of a nice clean pot.”
PLAY FAIR. ‘The Legislative Council has appointed a Select Committee to enquire into working and cost of State Coal Mine.’ – News Item Worker: “Play the game properly, Mr Fat; don’t keep that prejudiced card up your sleeve.” M.L.C.: “can’t I stack my own cards?”
THE DOG IN THE MANGER. Mr Consumer: “Can’t you do a bunk somewhere else, Boss? The Missus wants some of that coal.” Mr. Top-Dog: “This product of the State is not intended for your use, my man!” Mrs Consumer: Leave him to me, Duckie, I’ll soon shift him with this!”
0 Comments