II April, 1910.] Building Hints for Settlers. 207 



BUILDIXG HINTS FOR 8ETTLEKS. 



VIII. — Wire Netted Fencing. 



A. S. Kenyan, C.E., Engineer for Agriculture. 



As several requests have been received for information with reference 

 to the erection of wire netted fences, the followin,g notes on the general 

 principles and cost of construction may be of service. There are many 

 different types of fence, but as suitable timber is becoming scarce, the wire 

 fence is now almost universally used. This is the type of fence which it 

 is intended to deal with. 



Posts may be of wood, iron, or reinforced concrete, and require an 

 article to themsehes. In nearly every case, howe\er, the ordinary split 

 bush post will be the most easily obtained. It is advisable to get the best 

 timber procurable, as inferior timbers, such as stringy bark, in some 

 localities have a very short life. For the beginner, it is well to have a 

 look around the district and see which are the best fences. 



Opinions differ as to the spacing of posts. An essential feature of the 

 rail fence is the short panel, but where wire takes the place of rails, there 

 is no doubt that fewer posts can be used. Posts spaced approximately ajs 

 follows have been found to give very good results : — 



A. Posts, 8 ft. 3 iu. centres ... 6+0 to mile 



B. Posts, 16 ft. 6 in. centres ... 320 to mile ... i dropper between posts. 



C. Posts, 22 ft. centres ... 240 to mile ... 2 droppers between posts. 



D. Posts, 33 ft. centres .. 160 to mile ... 3 droppers between posts. 



At times, spacing of over a chain — up to 81 ft. — for divisional fences for 

 sheep is used. 



The difficulty, or otherwi.se, of obtaining good fencing posts must be the 

 guide as to which pattern will be used. Any one of these patterns would 

 make an efficient and durable stock-proof fence. It is chiefly a question 

 of maintenance, which fence will prove the cheapest. 



All posts when erected should have the outer edges in line, and should 

 be upright. They should line along their tops and not follow the lesser 

 irregularities of the ground. The earth should be put back round them and 

 well rammed. The timber must be sound and barked, and all posts sawn 

 square on top. 



Split posts (8 in. X 4 in. to 7 in. x 3 in.), 6 ft. 3 in. long, 2 ft. in 

 ground, one edge roughly dressed. Corner posts, 12 in. diameter, 8 ft. 

 long, 3 ft. 6 in. in ground. Gate posts, 12 in. to 15 in. diameter, 8 ft. 

 9 in. long, 4 ft. in ground, should be quite separate from fencing posts 

 and have no wire strained from them and have a sill log level with surface 

 checked into them. Straining posts, 10 in. diameter, 7 ft. 6 in. long, 3 ft. 

 in ground at distances of about 7I chains. 



In pattern A every 60th post will be a straining post. 

 In pattern B every 3otli post will be a straining post. 

 In pattern C every 22nd post will be a straining post. 

 In pattern D every i5tli post will be a straining post. 



Permanent struts on two sides of posts must be placed at all angles, corners 

 of fences and at every second straining post. The top end of strut is to be 

 cut wedge shape and let 2 in. into side of pxDSts 22 in. from the top of post 

 and securely butted against the adjoining posts, or preferably against a 

 short post stmk 2 ft. in the ground and situated at least 10 ft. away from 

 the bottom of the post which they are supporting. Struts are to be not 



