BURNING OF TOWN RUBBISH.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLX, Issue 8167, 19 August 1887, Page 2

BURNING OF TOWN RUBBISH.

It will be recollected that recently the City Council determined to avail itself of Mr H. P. Higgins on’s j visit to England to obtain plans and other information for them in connection with the Mayor’s proposal to bum the rubbish, &0., of the city, instead ot burying it or carting it away at great expense. Previous to this, letters bad been sent by direction of the Mayor to several places where the process was said to be in use. By the last mail the Mayor received several communications, which are of a very satisfactory nature, showing that not only rubbish but street-sludge, dead animals, and night-soil have all been, burned in the “destructor”*without the slightest nuisance. The process appears to be in use in some 25 cities and towns In Great Britain, including London. The different towns would seem to have gone carefully into the matter before committing themselves to tbe process, by sending committees, accompanied by their surveyor, to visit other places before adopting the process themselves. The following are a few extracts from evidence collected by committees from various towns ••—With regard to tbe town of Bury, they report, among other things, a profit of £IOO a year is realised from their, mortar-making. The destructor has been in use four years. No coal is used, and no new fire bars have been required, and the committee say without hesitation that they were well satisfied with what they heard and saw at Bury. There was nothing offensive ; the utmost cleanliness prevailed throughout the premises, and no near resident would suffer any inconvenience, or even be aware of its existence. Of Bolton they report the results were the same as at Bury. All noxious, unwholesome properties are destroyed, and a useful material left. Of Leeds, they say the material dealt with by the destructor consists of house dust, market refuse, and human excreta from middens. Speaking of a second set of works in Leeds, they state that the inhabitants objected, but it was found when the works were in. operation there was not the slightest nuisance ; and furthermore, that the two depots had resulted in a saving >to the corporation of £4OOO a year in cartage alone. These depots are situated in the most populous part, of the borough of Leeds. The patentee writes to say that the details of his process varies with the local circumstances of the places, and that he is now in communication with Mr Higginson before being able to advise as to details. Mr Higginson being thoroughly conversant with the city, will be able to furnish all necessary information, and will be able to advise the Corporation as to the merits and stability of the process from personal inspection, he being accredited by the Mayor of Wellington to the Mayors of these places. The great point of these communications is that it seems to indicate that at a'future time, if necessary, the sewage sludge can be treated so that it would be unnecessary to carry out the Clark drainage scheme, and thus avoiding having to make' a long tunnel and high-level sewer at very great cost.