Story: Local and regional government

Council facilities: Auckland 'destructor', 1900 (1st of 4)

Council facilities: Auckland 'destructor', 1900

An Auckland City Council employee throws inflammable fluid onto solid waste at the council's 'destructor' (public incinerator) in this 1900 photo. Rubbish was burned to prevent the spreading of diseases. The destructor, at the foot of College Hill in Freemans Bay, disposed of rubbish from the entire city. In June 1905 a new destructor building, with ovens and furnaces, was opened. The site later became Victoria Park Markets.

Using this item

Auckland City Libraries - Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero, Sir George Grey Special Collections
Reference: 7-A5181

Permission of Auckland City Libraries Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Mark Derby, 'Local and regional government - Managing urbanisation', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/35382/council-facilities-auckland-destructor-1900 (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Mark Derby, published 20 Jun 2012, updated 1 Feb 2015