Sessional_Paper_1899 — Page 156

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of refuse which each cell will burn per diem and the heat that can be obtained for steam raising. If the cells are equal in efficiency to those at Kurrachi, then they will burn 11 (tons) x 4 (cells) = 44 tons of refuse per day or half the estimated total of the city. If they burn but 6 tons per cell per diem, but still work so successfully as to justify the erection of more, then the Destructor at Kennedy Town could be extended and a second erected near Causeway Bay at the same time. Even should it be subsequently decided not to burn, the first Destructor will still be available for the purposes mentioned in items (a), (b) and (c), on page 4.

In the first instance, the patent charging apparatus with waggons, tipping platform and storage bay might be omitted; they could be added subsequently if found desirable.

There will probably be a boiler belonging to the Government available for fixing temporarily to ascertain the steam pressure obtainable and to drive the engine and fans for forced draught; or a small boiler can be obtained locally.

*

Should these recommendations meet with approval, the selected firm would supply detail, dimensioned drawings and all material required from England, such as firebricks and fireclay for the furnaces and flues, ironwork, etc. A weighing machine, level with the roadway, should also be asked for that the contents of each cart may be weighed on entering the premises. A ground plan and cross sections of the proposed site should be sent with particulars of the required number of furnaces, height of chimney, etc.

FINANCIAL.

The following is a comparative cost of the two schemes in accordance with the above recom- mendations :-

Horsfall.

Four furnaces with flues,...@ £299.15.0 each£1,199. 0.0 @ £387.11.6. each = £1,350,6.0

Warner.

Forced draught,

Chimney,

Item A........

475.10.0

.£1,674.10.0

270. 0.0

£1,820. 6.0

£2,100. 0.0

£930. 0.0

Dust-catcher,

..Included in furnace.

321. 5.7

Item B..............

.£2,100. 0.0

£1,251. 5.7

Buildings, Floor over cells,

£3,470. 3.1 678.14.4

..£3,585. 0.0

£3,585. 0.0

4 cells instead of 10 of £3,585. 0.0 .....£1,434. 0.0

£4,148.17.5

4 cells instead of 12

of £4148.17.5, £1,382.19.2.

Item C............

SUMMARY.

Item 4,

Item B.

Item C,

Warner. .£1,674.10.0 2,100. 0.0 1,484. 0.0

£5,208.10.0

Horsfall. £1,820. 6.0 1,251. 5.7 1,382.19.2

£4,454.10.9

From which it appears that for a four-celled Destructor, the scheme of the Horsfall Syndicate is

the cheaper of the two.

Estimated cost.

Taking the above cost of the Horsfall scheme, namely,

and adding-Weighing machine, say,

-Freight of materials from Eugland, say,.

-Extra materials and freight, say,

Gives a Total,..

£4,454.10.9 100. 0.0 360. 0.0 120. 0.0

..£5,034.10.9

Bearing in mind the cheapness of labour in Hongkong compared with England a ratio of 10 to 1 will certainly cover the cost in converting the above into dollars, probably 8 to 1 would be nearer.

£5,034.10.9 @ £1=$10,..

Add Preparation of Site and Approach Road, say,.......................

Quarters for Overseer and Attendants, say,

Total Estimated Cost,..

.$50,345.37 2,000.00

6,000.00

$58,345.37

NOTE. In the estimates attached, firebricks with freight for the chimney are included; it is specially important to have the very best properly-moulded firebricks for the furnaces and flues, but for the chimney where the heat is not so great, firebricks of local manufacture would probably be found cheaper,