NUMBER PLATES

Hawera Star, Volume LII, 3 September 1932, Page 12

NUMBER PLATES

DUTCH SCHOOLBOY’S HOBBY

Some time ago the secretary of the Canterbury Automobile Association (Mr. J. S. Hawkcs) sent an .old motor vehicle number .plate' to a school boy at Utrecht, Holland, who makes a hobby of collecting such, plates. With the plate some views of Christchurch were also sent. Mr. Hawkes has since received a letter of thanks from the Dutch youth, portions of which are given below. • ‘T see Christchurch and its surroundings is as beautiful, as. the other glorious country of New’Zealand.” “The road guides you sent me are more than interesting. Many thanks.” “I have already number plates from the following countries: Holland (1). Germany (2), England (8), Austria (2). Finland (1), Italy (1), Australia. (1), New Zealand (2) (one of another autoclub'in Wellington), Curacao (2). Panama (2), Canal zone (2), Hawaii (2), Alaska. (1), Porto Rico . (1). Canada (10), U.S-.A. (60), and Mexico (1).”

‘‘l am just turned of 18, and I. am still at school, but this year I go in for my final examination and hope that I succeed, but very much hope 1 haven’t, for I am more interested in these things than in school work, but we’ll see.” With the letter the youth sent a pictorial postcard containing a view of a bridge in Utrecht, of which he writes: ‘‘Here we are always staying (of course if we are not at school) to wait for foreign motor-cars. First we note the number and then we ask, ‘Excuse rfie, Sir,'can I help you.’ We do this all for amusement and to learn languages such as English, French and German.” ' On the front of the envelope m which the letter came are the following slogans: I. ‘‘Safety always—all ways.” 11. ‘‘Be always alert” ; and on the back, ‘‘Look, listen, live.”