THE FINAL RUSH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 126, 31 May 1938, Page 8

THE FINAL RUSH.

NEW NUMBER PLATES.

QUEUES AT TOWN HALL.

CHANGE-OVER TO-NIGHT.

There was a constant stream of motor cars and other vehicles outside the Auckland Town Hall to-day when the final rush to get new number plates i;nd drivers' licenses was in progress. From 200 to 300 vehicles an hour were licensed during tbe morning and early afternoon, and it was expected the total for the day would be one of the largest recorded in the city.

"The pressure has been steady and continuous," said an official at mid-day. "Yesterday we issued 1950 plates, and we expect that ngure will b<s exceeded to-day."

When a count was made la«t night it was found that 19,400 vehicles of all clashes had been licensed, and it v/as estimated that the figure would reach about 21,500 before the doors closed to-night. This would be within about 4000 of the estimated number to be licensed in the Auckland area. The department was prepared for a further busy day to-morrow, when it was expected traffic oflicerß would be lenient with those who had overlooked thjir obligation until the first day in June. Many Left Unlicensed. Making allowance Tor some hundreds of licenses to be issued to-morrow, several thousand cars and other vehicles would be among those temporarily out of commission, it was stated, either locked away in garages for the winter, under repair, Gr not immediately wanted by their owners. Later in the year the number plates for these vehicles would be available at a reduced price. The big change-over of number plates takes place' to-night, and to-morrow the green plates will be seen on all vehicles' of which the owners have complied with the law. General appreciation has been expressed i>y the motoring public of the innovation in the city in making use of the .Town Hall concert chamber for relicensing during the latter part of this month. By this means it has been possible for drivers to obtain their new numbers and driving licenses at the sp.me time. The extra floor space has also enabled the huge task of dealing with the ever-growing fleet of vehicles to be accomplished without congestion and without undue strain on the staff.

The department will return to its usual registration quarters at the rear of the Wellesl'.'y Street Post Office on Thursday morning.

In the province the most important licensing centre is Hamilton, which is in the heart of a large residential and farming district.