THE SYDENHAM SEWAGE SCHEME.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5763, 6 January 1897, Page 2

THE SYDENHAM SEWAGE SCHEME.

In consequence of tho diversity of opinions expressed as to the success or otherwise of the newly-erected dep6t for the disposal of the Sydenham nightsoil, and as statements had been freely circulated that its location, on the South Belt, would be a nuisance to health, and a nuisance to those living m the neighbourhood, Mr W. H. Cooper, Mayor of Christchurch, accompanied by a representative of this journal, last night paid a visit to the works and watched the process of discharging one of the night-carts. The approaches to the premises have been laid with tan, so as to mimimise as far as possible any noise from the approaching carts. The carts are constructed of iron, and when collecting is done,, are closed down tight before being brought to tho depfit, thus emitting very little smell. Upon arrival, the vehicle is backed into a brick building, the doors of which aye then closed, and the • operation of discharging, which takes about half an hour, is conducted. A rubber hose is attached by a screw union joint to the back of the cart and the other . end of the hose is fitted into the lid of an underground concrete tank, which is halffilled with water from an artesian well ; a branch from the artesian well is then inserted ■ into a plug-hole in the top of the cart, and the contents are thus disintegrated and diluted to such an extent as to pa_s freely ' into the tank and thence to the main sewer. The cart is then flushed out;, and a strong flow of water is left running into the tank. During tho operations last ' night no smell was detected half a chain away from the building, and the system worked very well. One or two alterations, however, will have to be made. These • include a six-inch discharge-pipe from the cart instead of the four-inch one at present in use, and making the doors a little more air-tight.