"SITUATIONS WANTED"

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 290, 2 April 1941, Page 6

"SITUATIONS WANTED"

Most people in search of work advertise on the usual conventional lines. Occasionally, however, we come across something startingly original in the "Situations Wanted." column. A brave typist expressed the feelings of most office workers when she advertised thus in a Capetown newspaper: "Competent stenographer desires intelligent employer. Essential have some knowledge business routine, clear dictation and civilised manners in office. She received no re pi 3*! Oil the other hand, there were 76 replies for the bold young Ohio man who offered his services in this extraordinary Avay: "Man, young, unreliable, dishonest, lazy, doesn't want position but needs one, assistant manager, personal consultant, etc., short hours, big pay." Then there was the adventurous young lady who advertised thus: "Timbuctoo or anywhere. Youm> lady holding world motor record wants j,ob." Her records included being the first woman to race a motor cycle at Brooklands and the lirst to cross the Sahara Desert by motor cycle, as well as numerous track trophies. She received many replies, including the offer of a post as nursemaid! This advertisement had better be left without comment. "Scotsman (Aberdonian) requires £1,000 to commence business in England. Repay over a period; nationality only security offered." We know how a man may disclaim any responsibility for his wife's debts, but a New Yorker thought of this pleasant variation of the usual notice as a surprise for his wife on the sixth anniversary of their wedding. "My wife Tess not having left my bed and board after six years I am cheerfully responsible for all debts incurred by her." Matrimonial advertisements arc always entertaining. Here is a specimen t from Japan: "Girls, I want to marry a girl of good pedigree, tall stature and excellent health, I am not particular about education but my wife will have to help me with my business."

His wants are very modest compared with those of an Englishman who advertised for a wife just 100 years ago: "She must be under the age of 29 years, of steady and domesticated habits, having a good temper and in possession of personal property at her own command to the amount of £2500. Here is another from the pasU "To the ladies. A gentleman of the utmost respectability of good person, character and disposition, wishes to meet with a partner in life, a lady who would have no objection to the marriage state and whose finances would not be less than fifteen or twenty thousand pounds." We hope he found her! "Lost and Found" advertisement; rarely make exciting reading but this type of advertisement goes back to the earliest days of newspapers' and even kings made use of it. King Charles II advertised twice for a lost dog, adding the promise that: "Whoever gives notice of llim at the Porter's Lodge in Whitehall shall have a very good reward." Here is a pathetic little advertisement dated 1664: "Lost, upon the 13th instant, n little blackamoor boy in a blue livery, about 10 years old, his hair not much curled, with a silver collar about his neck inscribed 'Mrs Mauby's blackamoor in Warwick Lane. "