In routine surveying in the south, Canning soon proved himself a first-class bushman and reliable surveyor. About the turn of the century, rabbits from the east were beginning to invade Western Australia and Canning was instructed to survey a route for a rabbit-proof fence. Construction of the fence, known as the No. 1 Rabbit Proof Fence, was completed in 1907. When completed, at 1845km, it was the longest line of unbroken fence in the world ("The Longest Fence in the World", F.H. Broomhall, Hesperian Press, 1991).

Even though 'the fence' was technically a more challenging project, Canning is best known for surveying the Canning Stock Route in 1906-07. David Carnegie, who had explored further east in 1897, had concluded that it was 'absolutely impracticable', but Canning proved otherwise.

With eight men, 23 camels and two horses, he left in May 1906, aiming to find water sufficient for stock every 15 miles (24km) along the route. He reached Halls Creek in January 1907 having located a route and ascertained that water could be obtained at regular intervals.

Canning's optimistic report to the government was accepted and he organised a second, larger expedition of 20 men, 62 camels, two horses and 400 goats for milk and meat, to construct the necessary wells along the route. Calculating distances principally by his own unvarying pace, he would walk for hours, regardless of the weather. He finished this herculean task in March 1910, then went to England, where he presented his report to the Royal Geographical Society.

Canning was always generous in his gratitude to the local Aboriginal guides who showed him the position of their wells. His efforts, and those of other explorers, have often been cast in a shadow of allegations of mistreatment of their guides. One hundred years ago, in a very inhospitable and seemingly barren landscape, things were very different. Today, one hundred years on, we recognise the efforts of both groups in this extraordinary feat.

Canning resigned from the public service in 1923 and went into partnership with Surveyor H.S. King as a contract surveyor. But in 1930, at the age of 70, he was contracted back to complete a refurbishment of the wells to enable the stock route to be kept in service.

He later retired and lived in Perth until his death on May 22, 1936.

(Source: Adapted from the Australian Dictionary of Biography Online - http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A070563b.htm)