NUMBER PLATES.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18673, 23 April 1926, Page 5

NUMBER PLATES.

THE NEW ISSUE. TO COMMENCE ON THURSDAY. The present green and white number plates in use in Christchurch will soon be relegated to the limbo of the past, arrangements having been made thereby the new black and white plates, which have now arrived in Christchurch, will be delivered .to applicants from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily on Thursday next to May 14th. Alter that date motorists who have failed to re-register will be liable to prosecution. What motorists are expected to do in respect of securing re-registration is set out as follows in a circular issued by the C.A.A. to its members:— (1) License to use amounting to ~2 and new number plates 2s 6d, to be applied for at your local Post Office between April 29th and May 14th, When owners of motor vehicles >"' e making application for the new numbers and new plates for each motor, they are requested to produce to the officer at the Post Office their original registration certificate (which you do not part wvth), for verification purposes only, and fil] in application form. The chief registration office is now open in Main Post Office, Cathedral square. (2) License to drive, amounting to os, obtainable at your local Municipal County Council office, was parable on April Ist, 1926. About 16,000 plates have been received in Christchurch for motor-oars of all descriptions and about 9000 for motorcycles. Tho numbers to be used on the plates affixed to cars commence from 100.000 and on those to be attached to cycles from 2J.000. A feature of the new plates is that, whereas on those at present in use the letters N'.Z. arc displayed, they are now omitted. KERB PUMPS REJECTED BY AUCKLAND, The decision to disallow the erection of kerbsid© pumps in Auckland has been finally arrived at by the Auckland City Council-

i'revious representations had been made to the Council by the Motor Trade Association, and twenty garage owners sought the Council's sanction for the erection of seventy additional kerbside pumps. A report was placed before the Council by Mr G. 11. Hogan (Chief Traffic Inspector), who pointed to kerbside pumps as likely to cause increased traffic congestion in the main streets. He cited the example of Albert street and Symonds street at rush hours, and mentioned that this trouble would increase. As an alternative to the kerbside pump, he mentioned that filling stations on private property was an ideal way out of the trouble, and would cause no inconvenience to pedestrians on the 6treet.

Mr Hogan's report was supported by a favourable opinion from tie Inspector of Dangerous Goods; and the Mayor moved, that the Council adhere to its decision. Mr A. J. Entrican moved as a« amendment: "That the matter, be referred back to the Works Committee for further consideration," and suggested that kerbside pumps might be allowed on secondary streets. Motorists should be able at any time to get a supply of benzine within a reasonable distance of wherever they happened to be. "There is no reason why we should give a license to everyone," ho com* mented. "What we must do is consider the street and the number of vehicles passing it at easy distance, as well as the needs of the people driving motor-cars."

Mr J. B. Paterson seconded. He considered it was a way of preventing the supply of benzine from being placed absolutely in the hands of the oil companies. "If we take away kerbside pumps from those who have them now," lie remarked, "we are only going to play into the hands of the companies, and we want to avoid that," After further discussion the amendment was put to the meeting and lost by a large majority, and the report was adopted. MONOXIDE. \ PERIL TO BE WATCHED. Jfow that the summer season is over, with the nippy days of autumn here, thousands of motorists will pause in their junketings to give xhe car a thorough overhauling, 'ihis, in itself, is a prudent procedure, but during the time spent in the garage it is well to keep in mind that there is an ever-lurking peril in carbon monoxide, which escapes so stealthily from the motor exhaust.

The United States Bureau, of Mines experts have devoted much time and study td the dangers attendant on these fumes and Lave warned the public a number of times of the disastrous results which may occur unless due care is exercised. Do not work under a, machine with the motor running, even though it is in the open air, they say. Guard against running an automobile engine in a poorly ventilated or closed garage. Sitting in a closed car with the engine running is dangerous; always have the windows open.

Persons wishing to avoid this dangerous gas must see to it that their garages are well ventilated. They should avoid exposure to carbon monoxide and, where it is necessary to come into contact with it, protective equipment should be provided. Carbon monoxide is' doubly dangerous, the experts declare, because it is hard to detect it in the air. It has no odour and is tasteless. Symptoms are readily found, however. A slight case finds the victim suffering from headache. As the percentage of carbon monoxide in the blood increases the headache becomes more severe. The victim's legs weaken and respiration increases. Then comes a collapse, followed by unconsciousness, and finally death.