COLLEGE FROLICS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 168, 15 June 1940, Page 2

COLLEGE FROLICS

PROCESSION IN CITY. HUMOROUS FLOATS SEEN. Including a leavening of references in lighter vein to the war, the Massey College students’ procession through the city to-day also burlesqued numerous events and personalities in the news in the past year. The presentation was of a worthy standard and the usual hilarity of the students added to the interest for large crowds of spectators throughout tne city area. Preceding the fleet of motor lorries and cars which formed the procession was a four-horse lorry advertising the students’ forthcoming revue. Great pains had been taken in preparing the horses and their equipment, even the metal of the harness being painted in silver, while the horses were plumed and aproned, with their collars enclosed in brightly coloured liligree designs. One float'announced a prize of 1,000,U00 dollars for .the person who would “kiss the Fuehrer,” and. inside a miniature yard on tne lorry were two pigs with elfigies of Hitler and Mussolini tied (as best the attendant could keep them there) over the ani mals. The “Harum Scarum 1 Girls of Caiio’’ were depicted on another lloat and a dilapidated car with oil-drums arranged about it cavorted here and therewith its sign, “Super Sumple—■• runs on hot air.’’ Now and again clouds of smoke belched from, the contrivance. “Removal of Government Heads” was another float, and various “heads” were shown through holes in a linen wall, one having been removed because the owner “talked sedition to his wife.”

Political aspects of the year’s news also received attention, one float carrying a banner, “An Apple for the Speaker,” while “Secret Session Loungers” drew attention to a placard, “J. A. Flees and \V. E. barnyard,” with, on the other "side, “The Government Caukers.” The 8.8. G. came in for representation; the social 'security medical benefits were depicted on a lloat carrying an operating theatre with a patient receiving rather inconsiderate treatment with a mallet to “put him off.” “Cute Cut-ups at Cut Rates” stated a banner along the top of the float. The Mount Stewart Memorial to the pioneers was shown on another lorry, the pioneers being a doughty bearded crew. Increased production was referred to, and on this float “babies’-’ in various stages of undress were lounging about and crying while “mother worked valiantly at a wash-tub. “Enjoy the comforts of State housing” was the banner on a further big float —“Know all, hear all, feel, all that your neighbours do!” “They hang out their washing on the Government lines!” Heath Robinson’s famous cartoons provided the arrangement of “Hitler’s Secret. Weapon.” Bicycle wheels, string, lever.s, blocks of wood and, evidently a considerable amount of ingenuity in order to make the contraption work, were necessary to drop a simple block of firewood on the head of the victim, conveniently held in the correct position. * Attendant with the procession were other floats and cycling parties, all those taking part being in fancy dress. Collectors were busy among the crowds soliciting donations for the Y.W.C.A. The procession passed through Broadway, the Square, Rangitikei Street, Cuba Street and the Showgrounds before returning to the Square.