ROWING CLUB’S BOTTLE DRIVE WAS A SUCCESS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 30, 8 December 1948, Page 5

ROWING CLUB’S BOTTLE DRIVE WAS A SUCCESS

Bottles, bottles, and still more bottles kept pouring from various homes at Whakatane on Saturday, when the Whakatane Rowing Club held it’s annual bottle drive, covering most of the borough and areas immediately adjoining it. Some people were glad to be rid of thesupplies they had built up, others were apologetic because of theamount they had, or did not have, while others “did not drink” so they could not have any. Bottles of all shapes and sizes, were brought to light, but undoubtedly the most common was thefamiliar brown crown top. It dominated all others and by its numbers outshone even the few lordly* whisky bottles that appeared now and again. Then there were bottles that had contained wine, vinegar, kerosene, turpentine, fruit cordials, fruit salts, medicines, pickles, onions, and others that were supposed, to have held home brew but whose * smell belied that fact. ?’• The drive was well organised,, certain areas being divided up and allotted various members with, trucks. Then a house to house collection commenced. • . ■ The receptions received by many of the collectors were very unusual to say the least. One house visited the owner was all apologies because he did not drink beer. However, he had a few others which they were welcome to. Would they go round the back and get them? They did, and they did not find a beer bottle’, but instead, they came upon a pile of whisky and wine bottles. Then there was the woman who, in a very annoyed tone, announced to one astonished collector that she did not diink and therefore could u not have'; any'bottles. One gentleman said he had g few tucked in the car shed which the club was welcome to. He did not think there were many. But his collection filled two large sacks. Two school teachers apologised very profusely because they had no bottles. But tfrey were keen to assist and finally brought to light a small tomato sauce bottle. It was accepted. Some of the houses had the bottles ready and packed for collection. When one collector arrived at a certain home he was greeted with delight by the lady of - the house. Would he wait? She had such a pile of bottles she had wanted tfc>. be rid of for weeks. They were already packed in a bag; she would get them.. Anticipating a sack full the collector waited. The lady finally returned with a small paper bag containing tiny medicine, and scentbooties, the largest nearly two inches long. But even these were accepted. At most houses the collectors <■’ were met in a pleasant manner. They were urged by a number of people to hold another drive after Christmas. This the club ha.s decided to do and hopes to have the; collection early in February. Including the proceeds of a dance, Saturday’s effort is expected to raise over £SO for the club’s funds.