VANISHING MILK BOTTLES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21248, 30 July 1932, Page 3 (Supplement)

VANISHING MILK BOTTLES

COUNTLESS LONDON LOSSES MILLIONS CO ASTRAY London milkmen havo countless milk bottles stolen from them. According to tlie London correspondent of the Manchester Guardian the records of the losses in milk bottles sustained by the London milk companies are, as Sir James Jeans would say, " sensational." One thinks of Sir James in connection with this milky way, for the figures quoted reach astonishing dimensions. For instance, one of the largest milk companies estimates that every year 5,200,000 of its milk bottles (each valued at 3d) go astray. No one can say what is the total loss In London, though one gels a hint in the fact that 5,000,000 were lost on Whit Monday, and presumably a similar number are lost on every fine bank holiday. In addition to theso millions that are never seen again by their 1 rightful owner are the 6,000,000 strays that are traced and recovered by an organisation established for the sole purpose of finding lost milk bottles and churns, and that manages to retrieve no fewer than 22,000 mislaid churns each year. Many a householder may hang his head in shame when, he learns that he has played his part in Ihe great pilfering. Many nioro are likely to bo encouraged in the crime knowing that it is so fashionable. Probably a large number of tho bottles are lost, but it is aafe to say that the sealed stopper accounts for the loss of the majority, while the motor-car and bus also play their part. Obviously if 'the holidaymaker wishes to carry a supply of milk on the journey the safest way is in one of the dairymaids sealed bottles. <l'he unscrupulous may see no need to hamper his return with a bottle that is empty. And so much trouble and worry is caused.