The Hawaiian gazette., 1896-12-18

had time, really, to look into it. Law
renee, Mass, has a system which is
really very good, and is no secret; any,
one can build it. The mechanical sys-
tens we have not yet found ii advisable
to recommend, and they are not gener-
ally used, the natural altering pro-
cesses being considered the best.
There are two different kinds: The
continuous and the intermittent, and
where the water supply is limited the
is rather the best. The
latter is the one used in Lawrence. 1t
requires less space for the filters than
the other. and works capitally, but no
one knows but what the continuous
would have worked quite as satisfac-
torily. With the intermittent system
the sand is allowed to dry and the air
to penetrate it Then a second filter
bed is used in the same way.
BY this air collecting the water
is purified as the water passes
through. In the continuous sys-
TEN the water is purified by passing
through a gelatinous film which col
lects on the sand. The bacteria is
stopped by the film, but in order that
this may collect on the sand after it is
cleaned and before the water is nit to
drink it must be allowed to run to
waste while the film is forming. Now,
then, where. as have said, the water
supply is limited, the continuous sys-
tenn is out of the question.
Il was called once to Santos, Brazil,
for the same purpose that | am now
here. The city was in deplorable
sanitary condition, and the death rate
was $50 per MIL That is to say, q
quarter of the population dies each
year with cholera or smallpox. My
first step was to look over the Quaran-
tine arrangement, then at the water
supply. 1t took long time to perfect
plans that would give people there q
relief, from the dangers that surround
ed them. When l was through l had
plans for sidewalks, pure water sup
ply, quarantine and sewerage. But
Santos has done nothing with the plan:
as yet People in warm climates ac
slowly, and unless these plans are act.
ed upon very soon the engineers viii
/ ACCu duNlNC, UCNduoC lLC OOAuA
lions may have changed. The frs
great thing there was to provide fol
pure water, for that was really
the fountain head of the diseases which
infested the place.
FILTRATION is a matter which is hav
ing the attention of the sanitary engi
neers and the scientific men through
out the world, and they are anxiousl1
waiting the publication of reports o
Investigations made by Prof. Charles
Harmony of Louisville, KY, and hi
associate, William B. Fuller, formerly
of Lawrence, Mass. These gentlemen
have been making experiments witt
the water of the Mississippi, which
you know, is very muddy. Louisville
of all the cities along it's banks, hal
taken the lead in making investiga
tions as to the best means of purify
ing it. ST. Louis investigated to thiI
certain extent: The water is placed il
reservoirs, and the suspended mattel
allowed to settle; when this is done
the water in it's imperfect state is con
sumed by the people. Whatever sys
Item is adopted by Louisville will b,
followed, have no doubt, by st. Louis
ITO ascertain these things, as will
sewerage systems, requires study, ant
the work of an engineer is entirel!
lopen and above board. His work il
done in accordance as he meets certain
elements or conditions. AS on,
finds them, so will another. Time
opportunity and money is all that il
Required. Take the building of tn,
Brooklyn bridge, which was really /;
great undertaking, but the engineer
never for moment doubted the prac
ticability of it-they wanted only tim,
land opportunity Mistakes may b,
made in the construction of bridge
but when an accident occurs the faul
cannot be laid at the door of the en-
gineer. 1t comes either through al
economical streak or through a desir,
on the part OF the projectors to rusi
the thing along. Unlike physicians, W,
do not rely upon opinions; a docto
cannot look inside of you and tell wha
is the matter with your organs; b.
must depend upon what you tell him
then he diagnoses the case and pre-
scIibes. Another physician might hav,
an entirely different opinion formed
from the same description of the all
ment Our work is open, and every
thing is in plain sight for the purpos,
of investigation by one engineer or ;
hundred.
Il am sure Honolulu can have gooC
water supply and a good sewerage sys
ten. They require only time and mon
ey 1t is too bad that the things wer,
net thought of before, for what hav,
seen of the city, it is charming place
l nave to smile when l think of it.
lett New York but a short time ago
and babe my wife and children goot
bye in a snow storm, the children cry
ing because l would not be at home oil
Christmas. 1t doesn't seem at all lik,
the holiday season here in Honolulu.
an wearing the clothing wear in mid
summer at home, and find them mucl
TOP heavy for this climate. 1t is a de
lightful place, and am quite sure
shall enjoy my stay"