Alfred Canning

Alfred Wernam Canning (21 February 1860 – 22 May 1936) was an Australian surveyor. He is best known as the originator of the Canning Stock Route in Western Australia, a cattle track running through remote desert country between Halls Creek and Wiluna. He also surveyed the route for the inaugural rabbit-proof fence.

Early life Canning was born on 21 February 1860 in Campbellfield, Victoria. He was the son of Lucy (née Mason) and William Canning, a farmer. He was educated at Carlton College in Melbourne before joining the New South Wales Lands Department as a cadet in the survey branch. Canning was appointed as a licensed surveyor in 1882. He was stationed for periods in Bega, Cooma, and Bathurst.

Western Australia In 1893, during the Western Australian gold rush, Canning moved to Western Australia and joined the Department of Lands and Surveys. He was initially stationed in the state's south and "soon proved himself a first-class bushman and reliable surveyor". After Premier Newton Moore failed to act on his claims Blake took them to the newspapers which prompted Moore to call a Royal Commission."It was necessary at times to use chains on our guides but we padded them to make sure they did not chafe the men's necks...they were happy with the arrangement."—Evidence given before the Royal Commission by surveyor Hubert Trotman The Commissioner of police admitted that police were forced to chain the guides due to their unwillingness to join the expedition. The continued chaining was justified on the grounds that they would have run off jeopardising the expedition. After three weeks of questions and replies the Royal Commission exonerated the expedition members of all charges.

In 1929 at the age of 68, Canning was commissioned to complete a restoration of the wells.

Personal life and legacy The Canning Stock Route and the Federal Division of Canning are named after him.

He died in Perth in 1936 and was buried at Karrakatta Cemetery. A public collection was started to raise funds for a memorial to Canning but the memorial was never built at that time. However a memorial was made in the 1950s.

The species Hemichoanella canningi is named in honour of Canning.