Londoners’ Lost Property Problem

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 10, 13 January 1936, Page 9

Londoners’ Lost Property Problem

MISCELLANEOUS DISCOVERIES LONDON, Dec. 21. Nearly half a million people every year lose property which is found on underground trains, tramway cars, motor-omnibuses, or motor-coaches run by tho London Passenger Transport Board.

Umbrellas, gloves, attacho cases, hats and shoes by tho thousand are stacked rows and rows deep on shelves in the lost property office in Baker street. Wher'o they wero found, tho date and finder, are all recorded. Every day 2000 articles of varying value find their way to Baker street through tho honesty of London’s transport employees. Wallets, jewels, bonds and bank notes are kept in a strong-room, which is guarded night and day.

Umbrella owners abandon their pro perty with lavish prodigality. Ana women aro the chief offenders. They lose eight out of the ten umbrellas found.

‘‘People lose strange things ■while tarvelling,” said an official. “For example, a guinea pig was left in an omnibus, and an Angora rabbit in a tramear, “And look here ”

He pointed out such varied items as electric meters, bicycles, footballs, parts of rifles, larvn mowers, motor-car number plates, megaphones, radio sets, sots of carpenters’ tools, and every variety of women’s garments. How did a woman lose and never collect an expensive fur? How did a man lose a dozen yards of wire netting?