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Parallel with the construction of the fence went the work of
constructing the area for the boundary riders and their animals. Water
for the men and animals were a chain at intervals of 19 to 24 km along
the fence. Materials were packed on Camels and carried up to distances
of 500 km. The cost of the fence in the northern part of the fence was
more than 120 pounds per meter, which was a lot in those times. By
September 1903 nearly 20,000 acres comprising of grazing areas, wells,
soaks, gnamma holes and rock holes had been gazetted in the section
from Starvation Boat Harbour to the 250 miles peg north of Burracoppin.
The sinking of the wells and the blasting of rock tanks were done by
mobile gangs of four or five men. The fence cost 6 to 30 pounds per
mile to clear the land and for four wire fencing 29-100 pounds. There
was a 12 feet width along the fence cleared. The population of Western
Australia when the fence commenced was approximately 109,000 so the
expenditure for this work amounted to $5.50 for every man woman child
in the state. The camels that the men used had to be muzzled as they
would eat the poison plants along the fence line. Not one camel was
lost in this 700 mile stretch of poison plants. The dimensions of the
fence were standardized as much as possible, Posts were 12 feet apart;
strainers every 5 chains, posts no less than 4 inches in diameter,
standing 4 feet above ground level and sunk 1 foot below. |
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THE INFO
This site or/and materials have been made by- Matthew Yeates, Andrew Scrase,
Matthew Coleman, Michael Whitford |
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