Fruitless Search For New Shoes Dumped In Error

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28346, 3 August 1957, Page 12

Fruitless Search For New Shoes Dumped In Error

(New Zealand Press Association)

DUNEDIN, August 2. More than 400 pairs of new shoes, many of them expensive English makes, valued at approximately £3OOO, were dumped at the St. Kilda rubbish tip in error yesterday. Before the mistake was discovered by the consignor and the carrier responsible, the shoes had been "salvaged” by eager citizens. None of the shoes had been recovered by early this evening. It was more than 24 hours after the dumping that the consignor, Mr L. A. Doolan. and the carriers. W H. Henderson, Ltd., heard the news.

Mr Henderson said the shoes carried no insurance on transit apart from a £2 a packet carrier coverage.

Yesterday morning, a driver employed by Henderson’s received orders to collect “stuff” from Doolan’s and take it to the tip. Although the “stuff”—22 cartons —was tied firmly, and clearly labelled “from Cromwell,” the driver carried out his orders and dumped his valuable cargo. This was at 9.30 a.m

It did not take long for the news to get about in South Dunedin that the tip had received an unusual contribution. As the news circulated a long stream of eager “treasure hunters” arrived at the site and triumphantly carried away their “scavenging trophies." One man announced he had collected a sack full, distributing the shoes to friends in the city He kept one pair for himself Mr Doolan and the carriers did not hear of the mistake until this morning. They immediately visited the tip but all they found was one large empty carton, and between 16 and 18 tom and

crumpled shoe boxes. Of the shoes there was not a sign. A hurried check was made with the Railways Department to ensure none of the packages had been consigned; But the truth was confirmed. Approximately £3OOO worth of brand new shoes had disappeared. Mr Doolan said the 22 cartons contained 'between 18 and 20 pairs of shoes each. A great many of them were English shoes of all sizes, for men. women and children. Many of them were on order for Central Otago residents in the Cromwell, Wanaka and Hawea areas. Once advertisements have appeared announcing the loss and asking for the return of the shoes, then, according to Mr Doolan. the nersons who have either taken the shoes, or received them, are responsible for passing them back to the rightful owner.