11,000 MOTOR NUMBERS

Manawatu Times, Volume LII, Issue 3542, 25 February 1927, Page 8

11,000 MOTOR NUMBERS

ALLOCATION TO PALMERSTON DISTRICT.

ORANGE AND BLAQK PLATES,

A vivid colour scheme has been introduced into this year’s issue of motor registration number plates, the lettering being in orange on a black background. The allocation of these distinctive discs are reflective of .the wealth of motor vehicles in the Palmerston North postal district, which embraces such places as DanncvirkC Feilding and Manakau. Tho complete consignment for this district, of approximately 11,000 plates has already arrived, and distribution is proceeding, although motorists are not meeting their obligations as readily as is desired. The Department is anxious to eliminate the usual last hour rush for registrations and its consequent congestion, and to this, end is enlisting the co- , operation of the motoring public. Of tho plates allotted to the surrounding district, 8,199 are for private and publicly-owned cars: 299 for lorries oi various descriptions, and over 2000 for ordinary cycles. ’ Several new features make this year’s issue interesting. For instance, the plates are entirely manufactured in tho Dominion, and are a decided improvement on the American article that was the vogue when the Motor Vehicles Act was introduced in 1924. They are a good proposition at 2s 6d a pair, although motorists still complain about the stipulation in the Act that makes it necessary for them to purchase a new set with each succeeding year. Index letters are being employed to denote different classses of vehicles, the one" exception being cars, which have to carry numerals only. The various fees payable are follow: For motor cycles, 10s; for vate and public cars, £2; for motor coaches and omnibuses, £5; for trade motors and one-ton trucks fitted with pneumatic tyres on all wheels, £2; for lorries fitted'with solid tyres, £5; and for lorries 'fitted with pneumatic tyres on all wheels, £3. Traction engines are required to pay £5, and trailers with three or more wheels £3. , Speaking to a "Times” reporter yesterday, a Post Office official, who is . controlling the matter of motor registrations, said the Department was anxious that the public should take delivery of their plates as soon as possible. Although the plates were not to be used until April 1. it would assist the Department if they were taken up some considerable time before the end of March. There was no reason for delay, as, with a couple ol year’s experience, motorists were conversant with the procedure in respect to transfers and other technicalities in the Act. In the case of firms owning two or more vehicles, it was possible for them to forward to the registering branch descriptions of their possessions and have their plates set aside for them for collection when they presented their cheques on the duo date.