OVER 300,000

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 19 April 1939, Page 8

OVER 300,000

MOTOR VEHICLES’ NEW RECORD

DISTRIBUTION IN THE DOMINION Throughout May the Post Office will be carrying out its annual task of issuing renewals of motor-vehicle licenses, the new plates being available on Ist May. They must be used on and after Ist June. Taking a survey of the Dominion's motor-vehicles as at 31st March, the figures of the Motor Registration Division of the Post Office show that the total has expanded in a year by 27.478, and stands at 305.828. An analysis of this total is as

The most noticeable advance has been in the numbers of private cars, which in the Auckland registration area total nearly 5000 more than on 31st March, 1938. The Christchurch increase in the same period has been 3200; in Wellington over 3000. Hamilton 2090. Dunedin 1050. New Plymouth and Palmerston North 1000. and Invercargill 984. Private car ownership has increased since March, 1933, by 95.488 vehicles. Motor-cycles, on the other hand, have steadily declined in numbers over a period of years. There were 25,105 registrations in 1933. but to-day's figures show a drop of 4096 compared with that total. As re-licensing is compulsory before Ist June, it is hoped that motor-owners will take full advantage of the early issue of the plates and not find themselves in a long queue towards the end of next month. The Post Office will provide ample facilities for quick relicensing if the clerks can deal with a steady stream of applications commencing promptly on Ist May. There are 357 Deputy-Registrars of Motor-vehicles who hold all the details of last year’s registrations in their districts, and can at once issue the new plates. It is also possible for motor-owners to present their applications at most moneyorder offices —there are nearly 1000 —

which will collect the fees and secure Ihe new plates from the nearest DeputyRegistrar. DETAILS OF DISTRIBUTION Details of motor ownership in alt licensing districts as at 31st March last and the variation in numbers compared with March. 1938. are as follows: AUCKLAND—

follows:— Pe reentage Type. Number. Increase. : increase. Cars 212.566 22.012 11.55 Trucks ...... Others (incl. 49.187 2.167 4.61 trailers) . 22.966 5.070 28.33 Cycles 21.109 1.771* 7.74* Totals ... 305.828 27.478 •Decrease. 9 87

Cars Increase 4953 Trucks Increase 512 Others Increase 809 Cycles Decrease 258 THAMES Cars .. Increase *88 Trucks Increase 135 Others Increase 173 Cycles Decrease 17 HAMILTON— Cars Increase 2099 Trucks Increase 230 Others Increase 604 Cycles Decrease 164 GISBORNE Cars Increase 392 Trucks Increase 70 Others Increase 148 Cycles Decrease 10 NAPIER — Cars Increase 840 Trucks Increase 87 Others Increase 222 Cycles Decrease 66 NEW PLYMOUTHCars Increase 1022 Trucks Increase 217 Others Increase ' 126 Cycles Decrease 188 WANGANUI— Cars Increase 762 Trucks Increase 67 Others Increase 178 Cycles Decrease 105 PALMERSTON NORTH — Cars Increase 1002 Trucks Increase 175 Others Increase 314 Cycles Decrease 98 WELLINGTON— Cars Increase 3062 Trucks Increase 229 Others Increase 331 Cycles Decrease 131 BLENHEIM— Cars Increase 195 Trucks Increase IS Others Increase 93 Cycles Decrease 52 NELSON— Cars Increase 645 Trucks Increase 101 Others Increase 143 Cycles Decrease 43 WESTPORT— Cars Increase 152 Trucks Increase 21 Others Increase 16 Cycles Decrease 14 GREYMOUTH— Cars Increase 383 Trucks Increase 50 Others Increase 50 Cycles Decrease 14 CHRISTCHURCH — Cars Increase 3226 Trucks Increase 94 Others Increase 819 Cycles Decrease 363 TIMARU— Cars Increase 382 Trucks Increase 35 Others Increase 206 Cycles Decrease 120 OAMARU— Cars Increase 186 Trucks Increase 28 Others Increase 83 Cycles Decrease 35 DUNEDIN— Cars Increase 1050 Trucks Increase 40 Others Increase 269 Cycles Decrease 32 INVERCARGILL — Cars Increase 984 Trucks Increase 61 Others Increase 436 Cycles Decrease 81