DISPOSAL OF NIGHTSOIL, ETC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8065, 5 October 1887, Page 3

DISPOSAL OF NIGHTSOIL, ETC.

TO THE KbIToR. Sir,—l think you are somewhat premature in your criticisms on the aatious of the City Counoil on the above question. From inquiries I learn that the railway authorities hare been communicated with on several occasions, and the last; letter from them, dated the 22ad ultimo, to the Town Clerk, states " That the matter has been reported to the general manager, and upon receipt of his reply, further communications will be forwarded." It certainly does not follow, as you would seek to infer, that because information obtained from Dunedin of the coat of disposing of the nightsoil on the line of railway appears in print for the information of the public, that therefore the City Counoil purpose to abandon the proposal. There are certainly one or two important considerations that do much affeot the question, One is that the present contract has yet two years to run, and therefore the Counoil would have to settle with the contractor before they could make any alteration in the present system. Again, it is very easy to talk of sending it by railway, but unless there are special vans and sidings, the repeated handling and labour would render it by no means a cheap or effective system of disposal. One reason, no doubt, why the initiative was taken by Dunedin, was a response to the country settlers, who were willing to take it and give something for it. Here there was no response, not even an offer to take it and receive payment for so doing. The commingling which you apeak about to render this refuse useful, it is well known is not attended to. Indeed, the contractor has repeatedly stated that some persons absolutely refuse to be supplied with earth. Hence the necessity of some process to render it of use or value. L think I have dearly shown that it does not do to find such quick judgment on matters which require careful consideration, and which, it appears, the authorities are seeking to give.—lam, &c., Light,