UNCLAIMED CYCLES

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 January 1926, Page 3

UNCLAIMED CYCLES

CHRISTCHURCH EXPERIENCES (Special to “Star.”) CHRISTCHURCH, Jan 27. In a little wooden shed at the rear pf the Central Police Station, Hereford Street, are thirty unclaimed bicycles, that have been found in different parts of the city at various times during the months. If they’re not claimed before February 1 next, some of them will be sold, but not all of them. Some will be presented to the folks who found them and very obligingly took them along to the police station.

“Oh yes,” said a police officer this morning, “If a person finds any property at all, it doesn’t matter whether a bicycle or a. brooch, he can have it twelve months after if not claimed by that time, and what’s more he gets it. We always let them know that a bicycle, piece of jewellery or whatever the article might be, is waiting at the station for them. They never forget to come along.”

This rule applies also in the case of money, although it is not deemed advisable to retain cash for twelve months. “It’s a difficult matter to identify money,” said the officer smilingly,” so what’s the use of keeping it? Of course, we always hold on to it for a month or two after it’s found, then, if it isn’t claimed, we give it to the finder.”

Two or three bicycles are taken to the police station every day by civilians, many' of whom are not aware that the machines become their property, if unclaimed at the expiration of twelve months, but the watch house clerk always takes the names and addresses, and if there are no claimant for the machines, the finders are communicated with.

“Many people find bicycles lying outside front gates,” said the officer. “They bring them along here. Of course, the usual thing is for them to be claimed in a day or two, but many are not. These at the end of twelve months go to the finders.” In the case of a, police officer finding a bicycle, if the machine is not claimed, it is sold at the annual lost property sale, and the money goes to the Crown. The police are entitled to take possession of any bicycle found unclaimed on the streets after midnight. They find a great many.