A BACKBLOCKS FARM.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 3252, 4 September 1917, Page 3

A BACKBLOCKS FARM.

WANTED, A MANAGER. A well-known resident of Auckland, who occupies a public position, recently put in an application. in response to an advertisement for a farm manager. The I'oilowing reply, written by the proprietor's solicitors, may be of interest as throwing a side-Light on life in the- back-blocks:— Dear Sir,—Re farm managership. Your application to hand. We must first, of all apologise for t tie delay in making a reply to your apnlieat:on. but so many have been received that it has been quite impossible to reply to each immediate'y. The property consists of 2.000 acres of hilly bush country. It is situated I'.) miles from . on a road wlrch is suitable for vehicular tratlic in summer. During tho winter the journey has to be made onho-seback. The nearest railway stati-m .is ilil miles). The house consists of a one-roomed whare. 12ft- by 14ft, with the lew conveniences to be found in a new settlement. What our client requires is a working manager, one who will attend to repairs of all fences, attend to all stock, at present amounting to some 4.000 sheep and about 150 head of cattle. The manager would be required to do all the sheep work, including crutching. Shearers arc. oi course, employed at shearing time, and at odd times casual labour employed Applicant would have to attend to a!' buying and selling of stock, but this to be subject to our client's attorney. As salary our client is prepared to pay £230 per annum, manager to keep himself. As some of the applicants have Large families it is quite obvious that the position will not suit such, but we shall be glad to hear from you again should you think the position might suit you." The recipient of the above has not. for equally "obvious" reasons, replied. deeming himself utterly incapable of performing the duties enumerated, however patriotically desirous of relieving men for active service in the war.—Auckland ''Star.