back blocksn.

1872 J. H. Kerr Glimpses Life in Victoria iii. 31 We were doomed to see the whole of our river-frontage selected and purchased by two gentlemen newly arrived in the colony. The back blocks which were left to us were insufficient for the support of our flocks, and deficient in permanent water-supply.

1890 E. W. Hornung Bride from Bush xix. 298 ‘Down in Vic’ you can carry as many sheep to the acre as acres to the sheep up here in the ‘back-blocks’.

1891 ‘R. Boldrewood’ Sydney-side Saxon xii. 215 One of the back-block youngsters.

1893 M. Gaunt in Eng. Illustr. Mag. Feb. 294/1 The back blocks are very effectual levellers.

1901 N.Z. Illustr. Mag. 3 254 The clean-limbed hardy backblocks-men mustering in the river arm.

1911 H. Foston In Bell Bird's Lair xi. 52 The men of the city, who had not the faintest idea of what a ‘Backblock’ bush road was like in the winter.

1913 B. E. Baughan Brown Bread from Colonial Oven vii. 140 Art comes at all times scantly to the back-blocks.

1926 A. F. Webb Miss Peters' Special xi. 94 I think on most back-block holdings mail day is kept as a kind of Sunday or holiday.

1892 E. W. Hornung Under Two Skies 21 Sitting on his heels over the fire in an attitude peculiar to back-blockers.

1930 J. Devanny Bushman Burke i. vii. 32 It is one of the back-blocker's pleasures, taking tea in the restaurants in town.