ABSENT-MINDED PUBLIC.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1817, 1 August 1913, Page 4

ABSENT-MINDED PUBLIC.

"KELICS" AT A RAILWAY SALE Absent-mindedness seems to be a characteristic of New Zealand people. Tliis belief was engendered by witnessing on auction sale of goods left in railway carriages during the past year in the Wellington section. _It seems hardly possiblo that in, twelve months ever 500 umbrellas should bo left behind by departing travellers, yet that number have been sold during tho past two days. Usually half-a-dozen in a bundle were offered, and realised from 2s. to 4s. If umbrellas and walking-sticks are legitimate articles to lose, it Is hard to understand how a traveller should lose his portmanteau or bag (possibly containing all he had) without inquiring for it. At tho sale, however, there were dozens of travelling bags, generally bulging with old clothes, and offered "for a song." One largo cardboard box was offered and knocked down at is. There was nothing in it. Another man secured a cheap leather travellinglxig for 3s. Cd., and found it full of soiled but good shirts, a leather belt, and a pouch containing a watch. Coats brought l'rom 3d. to 15s. Rugs ranged from Is. to 10s., and oilskins went as cheap as Is. Gd. Tlio sale was conducted in tho railway, shed at Waterloo Quay (late Cables foundry), and was attended by about 400 or 500 people, mostly waterside workers.