REFUSE DISPOSAL

Evening Post, Volume 63, Issue 63, 14 March 1924, Page 6

REFUSE DISPOSAL

The collection and disposal of household refuse and street sweepings are an important section of the work of a well-ordered Corporation. It is work, however, which receives public attention only when it is neglected. So long as it is done somehow, the public usually give little consideration to the efficiency of the system. The City Council's Investigation Committee has performed a useful service in reviewing the whole cost and efficiency of the present methods. From the public point of view, the chief recommendation is that for the use of a better type of vehicle in the collection of garbage. The late City Engineer gave particular attention to this question when he made his world tour, and was disappointed to find that in ■Ameirica. fie vehicles used for household refuse collection were no improvement upon those in the "Wellington service. Doubtless improvements have been made since that time, but in view of Mr. Morton's report the Committee is wise in not advising wholesale scrapping of the present plant till a thorough test is made of the efficiency and cost of the new vehicles. ImEngland Mr. Morton found the electric storage-battery truck in favour for house-to-house collection, and he recommended tiie trial of these vehicles in: Wellington. That trial, so far as we are aware, has not been given, possibly because such trucks (as Mr. Morton noted) are slow on the hills, and possibly because Wellington has since been remodelling its whole electric supply system. The possible use of such vehicles, howeycr, is another reason for caution in installing petrol-tractors and trailers. Congestion at the Destructor has been a source of complaint for some time, and, on the calculations made by the Committee, reconstruction of the tip will well repay the cost. This will increase the efficiency of the plant and labour employed. Increased efficiency always means economy. We should think it unnecessary to state this obvious fact but for the remark of the Mayor when Councillor Mitchell said that labour no longer required in the garbage services could be employed in road-making. The Mayor asked: " But where is the saving then?" Obviously the saving is that the City has more road-work done without an increased total wages bill. We should like to see this better use of labour extended further by installing mechanical sweepers, but an assurance of the efficiency of the machines must first be obtained. In America Mr. Morton found that vehicles for flushing smooth-sur-faced-streets were commonly used, but he reported unfavourably upon the combined Sprinklers and sweepers. The Committee mentions the use of mechanical sweepers, but has not recommended that they be installed. Apparently, it was considered advisable to obtain Further information as to first cost and working expenses.