DUNEDIN SEWERAGE SCHEME.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10531, 30 November 1895, Page 6

DUNEDIN SEWERAGE SCHEME.

TO TH3 BDITOn.

Sin,—We read with pleasure your valuable article of the 25th hast, tonchrcg upon the Hermits process. It may not cow bs ont of place to raeotion Quft -we submitted a tcherce, and gave a few reosoos that influenced ub in adoptiug that procs*s, wikU we believe to be by far the most economical and suitable for Danedin of any kcown method, with Atu, deferenco to tha experts wiio made tho awards 1. Duncain has alrc-ady had a large sum ex- . pended in sewering the streets, and an endeavour shonld be made to utilise the existing works bo far as efficiency will permit. [This point was suggested in the conditions to competitors, hence our surprise in fiudiog tbe te'.eeted pians provided for the most of the work de now, a pooc coraplimont to the author of the present system.] 2. After very thorough audcacef oi consideration we were eatisScd tiiat nearly all the principle rewers could be incorporated, with an efficient scheme to prevent the pollution of tbe hartour and foreshofe, and Ebsolutefy ensure a perfest effluent at a moderate cost—viz by I constructicg an interceptiog sewer otiuffieieut capacity to convey aP. the city eewerage to one outfall and discharge it i E t» the hatbout after removing all objectionable matter. 3. The site we telexed for the;ouifa!J was at tnetcotof Fcedtrick street as affording very essential advantages—(o) nearly the lowest city level; (b) centra siioation ; (c) railway facilitaes tor removal of manure and bringing in fuel; (d) the best situation, for delivering the effluent well down the harbour. '

Believing that a precipitation method wag the most suitable for the city, wa made very complete laboratory experiments on the sewage, using all well-known preciprtants and deodoris«M, end, in conjunction with Mr B. H. Postiethwaite, experimented with electecKsed sea water, obtaining by the latter most marvellous results indeed— bo perfect that in oar report we requested to be allowed to demonstrate tha efficiency by repeating the experiments before the arbitrators i£ they favourably entertained tho process, and r io avoid the necessity of'disclosing cur identity, forwarded with the plsios a sample of the electroliaed water for their persan*Lt«sts. Whether this was ever used we are unable to say. Howover, it may bo of interest to you, Sir, to kaow that we have sisso the swards were made invited the council to. investigate the Her mite procee* of riectrolised sea water and witness its effect upon sewage, whea we thick they would hesitate bsiate committing the city to an expenditure far beyond its means by adopting a scheme that, to say the leas'; of it, would utterly destroy the beautiful acd healthfuUTomahawk and Ocean Beaches.—We are, &c., , ' . JDnnediu, Nov. 25. , Oakdbn aSd Bego.