LOST LUGGAGE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12569, 5 March 1919, Page 6

LOST LUGGAGE.

SALE AT RAILWAY STATION 'fhe periodical disposal of lost luggage took place in the li shed in the Ourietchurcii Railway Yards this afternoon, Mr H. 11. Sorensen offering the tirst of nearly 500 lots at ten o’clock. There was a largo gathering of “sporting” bidders, and the articles were all offered just as they had been found by the railway 7 officials, that is, parcels, trunks, portmanteaux, dressing cases, swags, and so forth had never been opened. A purchaser, therefore, was quite in flic dark as to what he was buying. A trunk might contain a treasure or no- - thing more than “old clo’s.” As a matter of fact, “old clo’s” seemed to ! predominate. “You never know your luck, however,” remarked an eager little lady, as she handed over 8s and took possession of a small, old trunk. “ Never venture, never win,” was the. slogan of a hefty looking countryman who bid 10s for a wheat sack well filled with something, and tied up. It turned our that the contents were merely “ hi’ clo’s,” and not too fre.-jh 1 ' at that; but the buyer seemed happy enough. A. lady bought a bag. which went astray in the crowd for a few minutes. Suddenly the cry of “1 ' want my bag ” transported one’s j thoughts to the realms of musical comedy, “ Onr Alisa Gibbs.” 11 What’s i your number?” roared the auctioneer. “Number? I .ain’t got no number, sir; my name’s Mrs . I bought the bag. I want my bag,” was the reply. Next moment the bag was “heeled” out. of the scrum and the lady “ gathered up ” smartly. And so the sale went on, full of incident, with hopes and .disappointments, bidders in instances seeming to spot the plums, while they were encouraged to bid by the auctioneer, who assured the gathering that the sale was better than Tati tersijll’s sweep, for there were all prizes j and no blanks. With a hundred lots | gone, the* best return was £1 Is for a | blanket swag. Competition for this ■ swag was keen. Cadies’ fur necklets j were at a discount. There were quite a j number of them, but in the majority of instances they looked as -though their duty of gracing a woman's nock had been faithfully performed. Small rugs looked like bargains at from 7s to. about 12s. Sailors’ bags, kit bags and other bags bronchi from about. Is to 16s, the price seeming to depend more upon the inspiration that seized one to take a chance than upon auv knowledge of the contents. What looked like a soldier' l3 t kit bag and contents went for 10s. Whether it belonged to a Gallipoli man or a local camper there was no means l of telling. “ There's many a secret wrapped up in some of these parcels,” remarked a tall, thin, pale-faced lady as she bought a brown paper package, carefully wrapped, with straps attached. A decent-looking bicycle lamp wont for 4s, and a small brief bag that someone remarked could hardly bold a suit brought os—“lt’s cheap for the leather alone.” the buyer consoled himself with as he prepared to open it and find perhaps nothing. That someone once went without a lunch was indicated when a small lunch box was offered, obviously containing the midday sandwich. It sold for a bob. A child’s toy pram went for os- -a. bargain—and a carter smiled broadly when he secured two horse collars in fair condition for 16s. There was no delay in the soiling, the auctioneer explaining that at high pressure the sale would last until 6 p.m.