LOST PROPERTY

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28490, 21 January 1958, Page 10

LOST PROPERTY

Big Increase In Amount

Lost property offices of the Railways Department, the Transport Board and the National Airways Corporation in Christchurch have never been busier. Yesterday, inquiries showed that the amount of lost property now at different offices will probably set a record. The difficulty which faces officials is where to store all the

property which comes in. At present their space is limited and if the property continues to accumulate at the same rate some offices will have to look for extra space. There is no apparent reason for the sudden increase of valuables left behind. Most common of all articles left are women’s hats. One official at the railways lost property office said that hats were coming in by the dozens. Other articles include mugs, earrings, diaries, sunglasses, babies bottles and all types of sports equipment.

Some curious things go adrift. At one office a blow pipe about 9ft long has been left. In the same office is a baby’s bib and a toothbrush. Other common articles left are umbrellas, gloves, and overcoats. Usually the lost property offices hold a sale about every six months. Sometimes lost articles are claimed quickly; the majority of them are not. .