I love the way Murray draws those animals. I love the relationships among all the characters and am especially fond of the absolutely original approach to humor. The dog is one of my favourite cartoon characters of all time. –Charles Schulz on Footrot Flats

By Tony Orman.

Every good keen man and woman, particularly those of half a century for more vintage, will fondly remember Footrot Flats, a highly popular comic strip that ran from 1976 to 1994 in New Zealand newspapers and was syndicated around the world. 

Also there were collections made of the cartoons in book form — 27 in all — 8 more books collecting the Sunday newspaper strips, a stage musical and an animated feature film.

A talented rugby player

The man behind the Footrot Flats success was Murray Ball, a son of an All Black Nelson Ball (1932–36). Murray himself was a very good Manawatu representative centre three-quarter who became a Junior All Black and never quite made the national All Blacks team.  On the day he played in the Junior All Blacks game, the second five eighth had a bumbling day thus negating any chance of higher honours for centre Murray.

Growing up in the Manawatu, I witnessed many games in which Murray Ball played. He was a strong running back with a gliding style not unlike noted All Black centre Bruce Robertson of yesteryear.

Often he would outplay All Blacks in opposition provincial sides. There have been many inferior players who did become All Blacks. The problem was Murray Ball did not play in any of the four big centres and in those days that was an obstacle to becoming an All Black. Minor union players rarely got recognised.

Becoming a full-time cartoonist in Poverty Bay

Disappointed not to join his father as an All Black, Murray and his wife eventually retreated to rural Gisborne, firstly school teaching, then as his cartoon strips began to gain praise and more publishings in both New Zealand and Australia, he became a full time cartoonist.

In this book Murray’s son Mason tells of how his father’s journey to success.

“It was not really until my father died that I reflected on his remarkable life and when I did my impulse was to record what I knew, as a testament to him,” Mason says.

The comic strips protagonist is a border-collie sheep dog known as “the Dog.” Wal is the farmer, black singlet and gumboot in the Fred Dagg mould. The humour draws on the farming frustrations of Wal through the seasons; his family and friends, and involvement in local community life. It is punctuated with Dog’s wry comments throughout. 

He also crafted a couple of hilarious politically-incorrect graphic novels – The Sisterhood and The Flowering of Adam Budd.

Portrait of a great New Zealander

The book is extremely readable and Mason adeptly paints a picture of his father, foibles and attributes, talent and achievements.  It is a portrait of not just the cartoonist but a dedicated family man, somewhat reclusive by nature yet who was politically alert and had strong beliefs and principles.

“I miss him dearly and enjoyed cataloguing moments I had witnessed and which we had shared,” writes Mason.

Mason Ball writes clearly, candidly and warmly, and enhanced by numerous photos and cartoons the book earns a high recommendation.

Murray Ball: a Cartoonist’s Life by Mason Ball is published by HarperCollins, recommended retail Price $45.