Random buy throws up puzzle box and a quest

Graeme Black wants to find the owner of these wooden boxes. Photo / Warren Buckland

After languishing forgotten for years, the box at the back of Graeme Black's shed has finally been opened to reveal a mysterious letter that launched the Napier woodworker on a quest to find its author.

The box in question was part of a collection of 20 partly finished handcrafted inlaid wooden boxes bought at auction in 2010, and was the only one with a lid that opened.

"I just decided to open it recently and I was blown away when I read the letter," Black said.

The letter was written by Colin Ashton, formerly of Middle Rd in Havelock North.

"The letter said these boxes were made by his father Alfred Ashton in 1986. They were the last of the ones he made (before his death) and he made writing desks that went all over the world to the USA and he made a walking stick for the Prince of Wales. He also made the lectern at St Andrew's Abbey in Auckland.

"Colin was asking in the letter, if whoever got them, could they give a completed one back to him for his granddaughter in Queenstown, which I would love to do."

However, a trip to Havelock North revealed he had moved away about three years ago.

Black, a scroll sawer by trade and keen hobbyist at the Napier Menz Shed, said he had finished lining the box with felt and would love to find either Colin Ashton or his granddaughter to gift the box back.

"It's all kauri inside and a native New Zealand wood veneer on the outside. I'm going to finish them all off now but if we can find his granddaughter I would be most grateful."