BULKY CORRESPONDENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14888, 13 January 1912, Page 8

BULKY CORRESPONDENCE.

SEARCHING FOR THE ADDRESSEE. [TEOH Gtr& owh- conssggofrPEST.} : Sxvset, January 6. Mr. MoKTsoMERr, who has charge of the New Zealand Government agency in Sydney, has sought the aid of the detective department in unravelling a mystery. Some time ago he was astonished to find a tremendous number of letters .arriving at the New Zealand agency offices, addressed to a Mr. A— . The gentleman to whom they were addressed called for them from time to time, and they were handed over to him by one of the officials. Mr. Montgomery himself did not see the man. But recently he received a note from the mysterious individual with, the huge correspondence, asking that any further letters arriving for him should bo forwarded to the Enmore post office. Snmore is a. suburb, about three miles from the city. The letters continued to come, and were forwarded, as requested. Judging by the handwriting on the envelopes, they were all from women or girls. It would bo incorrect to say that Mr. Montgomery's suspicions were aroused, he was merely curious; and by en accident some light was" thrown on the-nature of the correspondence. Many of the letters came by post % others were left mysteriously on Mr. Montgomery's table, on the counter, anywhere—all addressed to Mr. A : The other day one of these letters arrived by post, and there was a post-mark right across the name of Mr. —— Mr. Montgomery picked it up, glanced at it hurriedly, saw the words "New Zealand Government Agency" on the envelope, and opened it. He was astonished to read :— Dear sir, I think I would about suit you. lam young (only 21), robust, fond of fun, and not without good looks. Will you make an appointment?" The girls name and address were, of course, attached. With the notion that the New Zealand Government Agency was being used for purposes for which it was never intended, Mr. Montgomery started to turn over the back files of the Sydney papers. He ran through the advertisements, and Was rewarded by finding an advertisement couched somewhat in these terms :— " Advertiser desires to make the acquaintance of young lady, must be young, robust, and fond of gaiety. Address, Mr. A , c/o New Zealand Government Agency, Sydney." In the agency offices a young lady is employed who had ft vague recollection of something similar having occurred nine months —that is, of a large number of letters in the handwriting of girls having arrived there addressed to a gentleman. The letters filed in the office were turned over, and sure enough one was found written somo nine months ago by Mr. A , having reference to letters he was expecting to be addressed to him, care of the New Zealand Agency. It wa3 apparently an old game. But what does it mean? Is Mr. A simply some gay Lothario, seeking the best-looking and gayest girl he can find, with a view to matrimony, or is he engaged in a more nefarious practice? This is the question which Mr. Montgomery wants to solve, and he has accordingly placed the matter in the hands of the police. Either way, it is clear that the New Zealand Government Agency Has other things to do instead of looking after correspondence of this kind.