OWNERS UNKNOWN.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 62, 13 March 1915, Page 9

OWNERS UNKNOWN.

SALE OF THE LUMBER LOST. YEARLY POLICE COLLECTION. Every twelve months the Polica Department has a clean-up of the odd assortment of strayed articles which come into the hands of its officers. Of course not all articles that become separated from their owneTs by being dropped in the street, left in tram-cars, trains, anej ferry boats, or by other mischance, find their way to the police station. But it ■is probable that no other loet goods arouse so much conscientious effort to find their rightful owners. When all means have been exhausted in the direction of notifying losers where their property may be found, the stuff is bundled off periodically to a public auction room, where it is sold under open conditions, which are duly advertised. There was an auction sale of this kind to-day. It sometimes happens that the police collection of lost property contains articles to attract attention, though there is naturally not the scope that is offered in the collection of lost "luggage" which accumulates in the railway storerooms. To-day's lot was, however, of a humdrum nature, comprising for the most part variously shaped and sized handbags of the kind that ladies uee to carry their handkerchiefs or tram tickets or peppermints. There were sundry trinkets and bracelets that had slipped from wearers unmindful possibly of personal adornment while otherwise engagod, and there was a motley collection of dilapidated umbrellas. The assortment contained the customary contribution of the errant gentleman who had omitted to tie hie bundle of laundry to his waistcoat button before dipping too deep into the diversions of an evening; and there was the further proof that someone had lost his hut (even if he had not fallen off the 'bus), and that yet another had enjoyed only temporary possession of a pair of new boots. The police havp their own cynical opinion nbout these '•'lost" new boots, new hats, new oilskin coats, and so on, their diverse knowledge of human nature inclining them to believe that some unfortunate tradesman has lost tlie good* first, and that the prickings of a guilty conscience caused the articles to fall neglected by the wayside, to be gathered up by the patient policeman. One enterprising bidder at the auction this morning considered himself fortunate to lie ahle to secure portion of a motor car for a shilling. Later he got a kit of spanners thrown in for threepence, his previous enterprise giving him a respectful precedence as it were. Three bicycles, foiuid by night in sundry parts of the city, went over to new owners for the small consideration of thirty shillings, eleven shillings, and about three shillings and sixpence. The last; one was certainly an admirable frame, and new seats, tyres, tubes, and chaiss are not unprocurable. The motor-car , portion referred to was a very fine lamp that had been broken off its bracket There wns no glass to it. but the reflector was very bright and shiny.