Our Illustrations

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLV, Issue 16, 19 October 1910, Page 15

Our Illustrations

LABOUR DAY* IN AUCKLAND. A “CHAMPION” EXHIBIT. Undoubtedly one of the features of the Labour Day procession in Auckland was the fine display of the Northern Roller Milling Company, which comprised no less than 14 teams, drawn by 22 fine bay horses, which excited general' admiration. Mr Peter Virtue is nothing if not startlingly original in his efforts to impress upon the Auckland public the merits of the Champion and Standard brands produced by the Northern Roller Milling Company. This year the turn-out was fittingly headed by the band of 17 pipers, producing muscle-raising music of a distinctly oatmeal twang. Next to the band came a wagon drawn by three beautiful bays. That these were under the auspices of the "Only Champion” was manifest by flamboyant oil paintings on the canvas at each side of the wagon. One picture showed John Bull, the “Champion,” beside his gun as ready to defend the “Standard ” as he ever has been when need arose, and on the other side was a well-executed Bull dog of lifelike openness of features, resting on the “Standard” of Scotland, with the British Ensign on one side and the Dominion flag on the other. The next vehicle was a single lorry, .drawn by “Mick,” the handsome dappled brown draught horse that proudly owns the unbroken record as a prize winner in the ring at Agricultural Shows. This wagon bore a huge cannon, bearing the suitable word (in two senses), “Protection.” with the legend ."England expects”—leaving it to be inferred that the manager had done his duty. On this wagon was also the Admiral and his son, the latter being a splendid advertisement for “muscle raiser,” judging by his plump condition. In a-ttendance was also a petty officer, who secured popularity by frequent volleys of lollies and biscuits, to the evident enjoyment of the youngsters on the street. Next came a large lorry drawn by three more handsome bays, bearing a squad of cadets ready, according to the mottos, to defend New Zealand from Free Trade inventions, for the legend read, “Protection, and no Single Tax fads.” Two fine bays drew the next lorry with sacks of “Champion” muscleraiser, “Standard” oatmeal, and rolled oats, all the products of the Dominion, and the result of white labour. The legend on this part of.the procession was “Protection and no Coloured Labour.” Behind followed six more vehicles, all laden wifh the products of “The People’s Mill.” The several teams of horses and the vehicles were plentifully decorated with al! shades and colours of ribbons, with rod, .vliite, and blue predominating. The decoration of the wheels was distinctly artistic, and the bodies of the vehicles were also neatly picked, out in excellently-blending colours. Th one of the vans a man representing a rooster—and a good representation it was—attracted much notice by his crowing and general antics.