THE DESTRUCTOR.

Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 111, 11 May 1889, Page 2

THE DESTRUCTOR.

TO THE EDITOR, Sic— Your correspondent "Pure Air" fltatos in his letter of yesterday that both Mr. Higginson and myself stated that tho Destructor would bo no nuisance, and that on the faith of our statements a. groat deal of tho opposition to tho erection of tho Destructor ceased, but that now it has boou erected it has emitted so much smoke that, living half a mile away, near tho cricket ground he hod to close his door to keep it out. I do not with to question tho veracity of your corroßpondout, bat wo»l4 merely remark that I pass up that locality about four times a day, and havo not been able to detect what he speaks about. That tho D«Btraotor is not doing what was claimed for it is quite true. That it will do it is also quite true, but th'n it must be worked properly, which has not yet bnen done. It should li&va bean fired before using it gradually to dry the bpickwork, and a proper heat got up before commencing, instead of which some paper waa put in, no I am informed, and lit, and then the v/st rubbish. Of couroo this was a mistake, and on my oalling the Mayor's attention to it, ha promptly gavo instructions to havo fuel put in to get up a proper heat, and during Saturday night this was done ; but throughout Sunday bo many stupid people wero opening the furnace doors that on Monday, when T saw it, there was scarely a hatful of firo in the farnaoe. Those in charge have not yet learnt tho proper mo<fo of stoking the furnaces. Tho patentees sent out olear directions for tho proper working, and unless the directions are oarried out as to charging, olinkoring, and Btoking gonerally, they don't guarantee its effioienoy. But, abovo all this there is another reason for the present inefficiency. When wo went into the question it was thought by the Corporation officials that by a thorough coUeotion we might get 20 'oads por day. As a matter of fact, the first day was 33 loads, and this quantity has increased till yesterday it was 43 loads— that is, between 80 and 90 oubio yards. Now, this quantity in England would bo put through eight furnaces, and 'hero it is attempted to put it through four, although to burn the material properly only about 25 loads should be put through in tho 24 hours. I think that under tno circumstances the wonder ia that tue Destructor has done so woll, and I may say that each day that I have visited it there has been a little improvement. I have seen melted glass dropping through tho bars like water, and I have not the slightest donbfc when the refuse drops to its normal quantity, and tho men understand the proper working, that it will do everything that it has been ojpeotecf or that has beon claimed for it. I am, Ac, Samuel Bbown. 11th May.