Author(s): Robinson, Tony

New Zealand Biography & Memoirs

No reply from publisher (April 2009). "McGinty Fencing in the High Country is an account of my days as a novice fencer in the Canterbury high country sheep stations in the head waters of the mighty Rakaia Gorge. Such well known stations as - Mt. Algidus, Inverary, Peak Hill, Glenthorne, and Lake Coleridge - stations to name a few. In this book I tell of the lies and deceit that were part of it all right at the beginning of a very colourful and very rewarding contract fencing career. I explain the mistakes and the misfortunes, the learning and the understanding that were all part of becoming accepted into the wonderful isolation of the South Islands more remote sheep stations. I have tried to capture some of the old characters of the past, the station cook, the managers and the station owners who in their own right were definitely quite wonderful people. And amongst these wonderful people arrived this absolutely - know it all - individual, who in fact knew absolutely nothing whatsoever about high country fencing but these really genuine high country folk took me in, guided and encouraged me, accepted me for my strengths and weaknesses, some how put up with me and my very cheeky mannerisms, and somehow encouraged me till I had learnt sufficiently to become a professional contract fencer. I tell of the difficulties, the mistakes, the pleasures and the successes and the sheer joy I experienced over my five wonderful years. There were so many fun times, there were so many wonderful people, I have written this book in a light hearted manner which I believe makes it an easy to read true account of my fencing days in the early 1960s era."