CLEANING UP AT PARK

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28987, 31 August 1959, Page 13

CLEANING UP AT PARK

Youth Hostel Partv

A small army of about 60 Invaded Lancaster Park yesterday morning to carry out mopping-up operations. They were members of the Canterbury Youth Hostel Association clearing up the leftovers and litter of the crowd of 58.000 which watched the third test on Saturday. After about five hours—from 8 a.m.—the leader (Mr J L. McKiei reported the completion of a successful but eventful operation. "Nothing unusual or exciting happened." he said. "It was just 'hard work.”

Whisky, rum. brandy, gin and vodka bottles were found in the park. They were put into seven sacks to be dumped. Another seven sacks were filled with the inevitable beer empties. "This is not as much as we cleared up when the Springboks were here,” said Mr McKie. "We filled 38 sacks that time." The drinkers had done a thorough job. No full or even halfempty bottles were found. Among all this the discovery of an empty milk bottle rather baffled the workers. "Can’t think who would drink that,” a member said. Destination Secret At this stage the only hitch of the day hampered the operation—where to put the bottles. After a short conference the problem was solved, but the destination remained a secret.

Not only bottles were found at the park. “There was paper all over the park and stands,” said Mr McKie. Several truck loads of rubbish were taken to be burned behind the Number 4 stand. Anything of value had probably been picked up after the match, said Mr McKie. Only scarves and a 10s note were found yesterday. • For their efforts the Youth Hostel Association will receive about £7O. When this is added to their earnings from the cleaning up after the Canterbury match the total earnings will be about £l4O. The money will be used for the Akaroa youth hostel.