A Taranaki Gate That Will Swing And Still Not Sag

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 32, 13 December 1948, Page 3

A Taranaki Gate That Will Swing And Still Not Sag

Because of timber, ironwork, and labour shortages the use of the Taranaki gate is increasing, but the difficulty in opening and closing it remains. The gate can be converted into a swinging type that is stockproof, yet easily handled, with the addition of one piece of 4in. by 2in. scantling and a light hinge. The gate is made in the ordinary way, but. the top . barbed wire is doubled as the rigidity of the gate depends greatly on this wire. One end of the piece of 4in. by 2in. timber is bolted to the bottom of the batten at the hinge end of the gate and the other end bolted (with one bolt) to the batten at the other end of the gate at a point slightly above the middle of the batten.

The gate is hung by using a light hinge at the bottom and a double strand of plain wire at the top. The intermediate battens may be nailed to the crossmember with one 4in. nail, but this is not essential.

The raised end of the crossmember exerts a pressure toward the ground, but is prevented from falling by the top wire—the reason for doubling the wire. In exerting this thrust the crossmember tightens all wires simultaneously by tending to force, the end batten nearer to the post.

Should the gate sag unduly at any time it can be brought back to the desired position by tightening the top doubled barbed wire (by inserting a stick between the strands and twisting it) and by shortening the second wire.

When swung between the posts this gate may be opened in either direction—a useful feature.-