ARCHIVE FILE
This article was published in 1937
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RABBIT-PROOF FENCE
(Specifications for erection of same)
Mr. E. A. LUCAS, Stock Inspector, West Maitland.
Specifications for erecting a netting fence on:—
Clearing.
All timber to be fallen for a width of one chain, half on each side of the fencing line. Any trees leaning away from the fence may be left subject to the approval of the Stock Inspector. All timber to be removed 8 feet from the fence. All stumps within 4 feet of the fence to be cut off level with the ground. All fallen timber to be removed from the road, and must be pulled inside reserve off cleared line.
Posts.
To be of sound timber (as specified) and no half trees put in for posts. To be 5 feet 10 inches long and 8 inches by 4 inches measurement at the small end. To be sunk 22 inches in the ground and 4 feet out of the ground. All posts to be rammed tight.
Strainers.
To be of same timber split or round 9 inches by 9 inches at small end. All angle, corner end, and gate posts to be 3 feet in the ground and 4 feet out. All angle, corner and gate posts to have 2 stays 12 feet long by 6 inches at small end, stays to be 12 inches in the ground with wedge at foot. Netting Hoods to be fitted to all stays to stop rabbits climbing stays.
Strains.
No strain to be more than 5 chains. May be altered to suit local conditions.
Panels.
To be 10 feet from centre to centre of posts.
Wires.
Three plain wires, 1 in middle of the netting, 1 white wire at top of netting, 1 wire over that, one barb wire to be tied on top of posts, the hole for No. 10 tying for barb to be 3 inches from top of post, barb to be tied to every post.
Netting.
To be 6 inches in ground and trench carefully filled in both sides, to be strained and tied three times to the top wire, and three to the middle wire in each panel with tie wire. Top wire ties to be tied one each side of each post and middle wires same.
Gates.
To be 12 feet "Sunshine," to be hung on separate posts not on strainers, to lap 6 inches on to post they shut on to and this post to be dressed to make fit close all the way up the gate. To be rabbit proof. Gate sleepers 3 to each gate 9 x 9 inches and rough faced top and bottom.
Creeks, Crossings, Washaways,etc.
Apron to he hung in vertical strips from overhead wire strained to two extra strainers, one on each bank of the creek. This work to be done to instructions from Stock Inspector.
A 12 x 12 inch TSR notice was nailed to each gate using spring head nails. If you, nail it to a post the public do not shoot at it as much as if you put it up high so they can shoot through it.
This is the type of rabbit-proof fence designed by the Hume P.P. Board and myself and many miles of this fence were erected in that District while I was there.
Rabbit Commissioner Stead while on his tour of Inspection stated that it was the best fencing he had seen.
We only put the netting in the ground 4 inches, this is sufficient in that district as the grass soon makes a thick mat along the netting und this also gives an extra 2 inches to the height of the netting out of the ground. If a rabbit is going to burrow under he will go under 6 inches just as easily as 4 inches and the extra height is worth it.
The present Act prescribes 6 inches so it has to be done.
Paying per foot is usual on the coast and saves chaining.
SAMPLE OF AGREEMENT USED RE FENCES.
MEMORANDUM of Agreement dated the day of ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
193..., between ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... hereinafter called the
Contractor, and the Maitland Pastures Protection Board hereinafter
called the Board. Wherein the Contractor agrees to erect a ... ... ...
... ... ... ... fence on ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
The fence to be erected in accordance with the specifications on
sheets marked "A" attached hereto. The price to be at ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
per chain or per foot. For approximately ... ... ... ... ... ... chains of fence.
The Board agrees to find the wire and put it on the line and the
Contractor agrees to find the posts and put them on the line. If
royalty payable, contractor pays; no royalty payable on timber cut
on T.S.R.'s. The work to be completed to the satisfaction of
the Board or the Board's Stock Inspector.
The work to be completed within ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... of date
of this agreement otherwise Contractor to forfeit £1 per day, penalty
for every day overtime.
The Contractor will be allowed to draw 75 per cent. of the
value of completed work up to the above stated time of ... ... ... ... ... ...
Signed by the Contractor
In the presence of:
Signed for the Board
In the presence of:
Sheet Marked "A" Referred to in Agreement between P.P. Board
and Dated
MAITLAND P.P. BOARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR WIRE FENCE
Posts.
To be of ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... timber sound suitable timber split and no
half trees. 7 feet x 4 inches at the small end 6 feet 2 inches long
to be 22 inches in the ground and 4 feet 4 inches out. All earth to be
rammed tight from the bottom of the post hole to the top and any loose
earth to be placed round the post.
Panels.
To be 12 feet from centre to centre of each post.
Strainers.
To be of the same timber round or spilt 10 inches at the small
end and 3 feet in the ground and 4 feet 4 inches out. Stayed with the
same timber and stays to be 6 inches at the small end and morticed
into the strainer and a solid chock to be fitted at the ground end.
Strains.
Length of strains to be arranged on the ground to suit the job.
Maxim. 5 chains.
Wires.
Four wires one plain at top, two barbs in middle and plain at
bottom. Four inch head to be left at top of post.
Gate.
"Sunshine" gate to be hung on strainer posts, no separate posts
needed. Hung on the side of the post and hung so that it will swing
right back on to the fence and to shut on to the side of the other
post which is to be scarfed so that gate will fit and fasten properly.
Hook to be made with twisted wire to hook gate back when open.
Timber.
If timber is available on the reserve no royalty payable but if
the contractor has to get his timber elsewhere he is responsible for
all royalties payable if any. All timber will be inspected on the
line. The Board finds the wire and the gate and puts it on the line.
The Contractor finds all other material and puts it on the line. All
inspections of timber will be made on the line and not at the stump
and must be up to specifications otherwise will not be passed. The
line runs along the western side of the new road and any trees that
will fall on the fence will have to be felled and dragged off the road
into the reserve and half a chain from the fence. Provided a tree
is sound and not a danger to the fence it need not be felled.
Price is to be at per post fully erected.
Signed by the Contractor
Signed for the P. P. Board
Stock Inspector
Maitland.
NOTES
Mr. E. A. Lucas, Stock Inspector, Maitland.
Posts.
The best species of trees to use for the posts has to be learned for each district, and the Directors of the Board are the best judges of this, and will be glad to assist in inspecting posts,etc.
Strains.
A maximum length of 5 chains is the best but may be slightly altered to suit gullies, corners,etc.
Inspection on the fence line not at stump.
Stays at Strainers are best about a foot from the top of the post. The fashion for these varies in different districts.
Clearing the Line.
If any of this fallen timber is on the roadside it is important to have it pulled off into the reserve. This saves any conflict with the Shire. The contract must bear a shilling duty stamp, the Treasury Audit look for these.
A time limit is necessary as some contractors drag the job on indefinitely.
If the Contractor employs any labour it is necessary to see his Insurance Policy for these men as the Board is liable if he failed to insure and any claim is made. This can be avoided if say only two men are on the job and if you make them joint Contractors and all sign the agreement.
COPY OF FORM USED FOR DESTRUCTION OF RABBITS
BY HUME P.P. BOARD.
PASTURES PROTECTION DISTRICT OF THE HUME, HOLBROOK
SPECIFICATIONS for Digging out and destruction of all Rabbits
and Rabbit Harbor on ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
All burrows to be dug out and left open till completed and then
the Stock Inspector to be notified who will inspect, then all burrows
to be filled in level. All rabbits to be destroyed, all rabbit harbor to
be destroyed by fire. Tree heads and fallen trees with roots in
ground to be destroyed Any green trees with holes that will harbor
rabbits to be destroyed by fire.
Where possible to be burnt off the following. (Here state details).
The work to be completed to the satisfaction of the Hume P.P.
Board and of the Stock Inspector within the specified period from
starting work, which must start on or before (time to be specified).
The work will be inspected for final payment one week after
completion.