NEW ISSUES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20097, 2 May 1935, Page 14

NEW ISSUES

STAMPS AND MOTOR PLATES The issue of the new pictorial stamps which will replace all those at present in use, took place yesterday, when the stamps of all values were on sale at the Post Offices. The Government has already made available first day pictorial covers—envelopes stamped with a special design and having the words “First day cover” printed on them. These are issued as a souvenir envelope for philatelists and all will be stamped and cancelled with “May 1, 1935” and will be valuable additions to collections. These envelopes have been in great demand during the past few days and the local post office exhausted its stocks with the result that it has been accepting the money and sending it on to the head office in Wellington from whence the stamped and cancelled envelopes will be sent to the purchasers. The complete set of pictorial stamps costs 9/61 and many philatelists have availed themselves of the chance of purchasing the sets, ordering them before issue.

The old stamps are still legal but the Post Office: have orders to exchange for new ones, any number of stamps held by the public, over the value of 2/6. It is expected that in about a year the government will issue a statement making the use of the old stamps illegal. Following on the issue of the new stamps is, on May 6 to May 13, another special issue of Silver Jubilee stamps to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of King George V. while a new set of air mail stamps in values of Id. 3d. and 6d is to be used for the first time in connection with Sir Charles Kingsford Smith’s trans-Tasman flight by the Southern Cross. With the motor registration expiring on June 3 the mice for procuring the new plates also opened yesterday. In previous years most motorists have left their registrations until the last possible minute with the result that the staff finds it virtually unable to cope with the demand and the queues are formed of men waiting to get to the counter. All this hustel can quite easily be avoided as the counter is opened a month before during which time motorists can obtain their plates. As was pointed out to a "Post” reporter to-day by purchasing the plates earlier in the month the motorist does not lose any interest on his money and it also obviates his standing in the queue, sometimes for over an hour. In addition to the ordinary staff at the counter during the rush a special man will be in the room, examining the papers to ensure that they are correctly filled in and to assist anyone who is doubtful as to the method. Motorists are therefore urged to register as soon as possible not only for the convenience of the officials but it will also be to their own advantage.