When the owner or consignee of property transported by a common carrier to its destination, does not call for the same, or cannot be found, or is unknown, or neglects or refuses to receive the property or to pay the costs and expenses of transportation or charges for detention or demurrage and the same has remained unclaimed in the possession of the carrier for 6 months, or is perishable, the carrier may sell the same at public auction.
N.J.S. § 2A:44-14