By Emma Jolliff
A Wellington woman is hoping to find the owner of a gold ornamental box containing a collection of photographs that was found in her basement.
The photos show what looks to be the celebration of a woman's 21st birthday in the 1940s, and Natasha Smith is intrigued to know who they belong to.
Ms Smith has no idea how long the box has been hiding in her basement.
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Her flatmate and his friend were clearing out the junk-filled rented Mount Cook house when they discovered the long lost treasure.
“There were fish tanks, timber and lights – everything you don't need was under here,” she says. “Then this little thing was here too.”
“It's got all these photos of a young girl having her 21st birthday and it looks like her dad and mum are there and it's a celebration.”
Ms Smith has pored over the pictures.
“We studied it a little bit and know all the aunties and uncles that are in the photos, so it is quite a few years old and I hope that the lady is still around.”
Ms Smith says there is nothing to suggest where the pictures were taken.
The landlord does not own the photos. He bought the property three years ago and knows nothing about its previous owners.
For now, Ms Smith is going to hold onto the collection.
“I reckon it would be quite special to someone, to the girl whose birthday it was.”
The woman who was celebrating her 21st would now be in her 80s or 90s. Ms Smith hopes someone will recognise who they are and come forward to solve the mystery.
3 News