The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1896-12-18

cesses being considered the best
There are two different kinds: The
continuous and the intermittent, and
where the water supply is limited the
intermittent 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
one bed is used for a time, and then
the sand is allowed TO dry and the air
to penetrate it. Then 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-
tenn 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 fit to
drink it must be allowed to run to
waste while the film is forming. Now.
then, where, as I have said, the water
supply is limited, the continuous sys-
TEN is out of the question.
L was called once to Santos, Brazil,
for the same purpose that l am now
here. The city was in a deplOrable
sanitary condition, and the death rate
was $50 per mil. That is to say, a
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 a long time to perfect
plans that would give people there a
ed them. When | was through l had
plans for sidewalks, pure water sup
ply quarantine and sewerage But
Santos has done nothing with the plans
as yet. People in warm climates act
slowly, and unless these plans are act
ed upon very soon the engineers will
need more advice, because the cOndi-
tons may have changed. The first
great thing there was to provide for
pure water, for that was really
the fountain head of the diseases which
infested the place.
FILTRATION is matter which is hav-
ing the attention of the sanitary engi-
neers and the scientific men through
out the world, and they are anXiOuSly
waiting the publication of reports of
Investigations made by Prof. Charles
Harmony of Louisville, KY, and his
associate, William 3. Fuller, formerly
of Lawrence, Mass. These gentlemen
have been making experiments with
| the water of the Mississippi, which,
YOU know, is very muddy. Louisville,
of all the cities along it's banks, has
taken the lead in making investiga-
lions as to the best means of purify
ing it. st. Louis investigated to this
certain extent: The water is placed in
reservoirs, and the suspended matter
allowed to settle; when this is done
the water in its imperfect state is con-
sumed by the people. Whatever sys-
tenn is adopted by Louisville will be
followed, | have no doubt, by st. Louis
ITO ascertain these things, as with
sewerage systems, requires study, and
the work of an engineer is entirely
open and above board. His work is
done in accordance as he meets certain
elements or conditions. AS one
finds them. so will another. Time
opportunity and money is all that is
required Take the building of the
Brooklyn bridge, which was really q
great undertaking. but the engineers
never for a moment doubted the prac-
Iticability of it-they wanted only time
and opportunity. Mistakes may be
made in the construction of a bridge,
but when an accident occurs the fault
cannot be laid at the door of the en-
gineer. 1t comes either through an
economical streak or through a desire
on the part of the projectors to rush
the thing along. Unlike physicians, we
do not rely upon opinions; doctor
cannot look inside of you and tell what
is the matter with your organs; he
must depend upon what you tell him.
then he diagnoses the case and pre-
scribes. Another physician might have
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 purpose
of investigation by one engineer or a
hundred.
4 am sure Honolulu can have good
water supply and a good sewerage sys-
tenn. They require only time and mon
ey. 1t is too bad that the things were
not thought of before, for what I have
seen of the city, it is a charming place.
[ have to smile when [ think of it. l
left New York but a short time ago,
and babe my wife and children good
bye in a snow storm, the children cry
/ ing because l would not be at home on
Christmas. 1t doesn't seem at all like
the holiday season here in Honolulu.
am wearing the clothing l wear in mid
summer at home, and find them much
too heavy for this climate. 1t is a de-
/ lightful place, and | am quite sure
| shall enjoy my stay"
General Election.