The Political Xmas Tree. South Australia to Her Children of Light.-“There, my little dears, if that little man doesn’t suit you I must give you one of my reserves from the Tree.”

Very rare satirical cartoon from the original edition of the  Portonian which was published in Port Adelaide, South Australia between 1871-79.

The Portonian was as founded in 1871 by the eccentric and colourful South African, Duncan Moodie. The original intention (according to Moodie) was to provide a forum for news reporting at Port Adelaide. Although initially such local concerns as the state of St Vincent Street and snippets of local news appeared, more space was given to criticising the South Australian Parliament and its members and more broadly attacking other figures such as local mill owner, Captain John Hart, religious leaders and even the governor. Moodie had previously worked for the Customs Department at Port Adelaide and consequently also made a particular focus of the apparent problems of this body. South African news filled the Portonian columns as time went on, and in particular news of the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. Portonian ceased without notice in May 1879. Publication moved from Port Adelaide to Adelaide with the issue of 26 October 1872. Reference: State Library of South Australia.