Archives Identifier00419Date Range1908-1938DescriptionThe first Refuse Destructor was built in 1888. The second, built in 1908 with a chimney 40 metres high, was designed to burn rubbish to supply heat for generating steam for the sewage system's air compressor plants. It operated after 1939 at a greatly reduced capacity until 1946. It closed as a result of changes in rubbish composition, electrification of the pumping systems, and the introduction of tipping as a preferred method of rubbish disposal. The log books contain the daily workings of the latter destructor; as a sample the logs for the first year, and the last year of full operation have been retained. The daily sheets give the name of the engineer, firemen (i.e.stokers) and supernumeries, details about the furnaces, boilers, fans, pumps, quantities of household and 'trade' refuse received and whether rubbish or coal was burnt, etc. (Info from 'We built this City' - see also photograph collection). FRAGILE: Two volumes kept as samples, April 1908 to October 1908, April 1938 to March 1939. 1908 volume mouldy and water damaged. Quantity (Linear Metres)1.11MediumBound VolumeSystem of ArrangementChronologicalCollection TypeWellington City Council