MOTOR-CAR NUMBERS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 229, 22 June 1921, Page 7

MOTOR-CAR NUMBERS

DENfIFICATION BY DAY AND NIGHT

NEW STYLE PLATE UNDER CONSIDERATION

Some months ago Mrs. Alice Peel, of Wilton Road, Wadestown, was knocked over by a motor-car after dark. On pick-

ing herself up as best she could she tried to see the number of the disappearing car, but in vain. Since then Mrs. Peel has given much thought to tho devising of a number-plate for motorvehicles, which will give equal service day and night, and last week the result of her labours was brought before the By-laws Committee of iho City Council, with a view to its adoption in Wellington. Mr. C. Peel, husband of tho inventor, exhibited specimen plates for cars and trade vehicles. They consist of a box made of finned iron, with a "front window" bearing plain letters and figures, which appear white with a black setting in daylight, and when

illuminated at night with a two or three candle-power electrio lamp show white in a red setting. This effect has boon gained by etching tho letters and figures on ruby glass, and then painting the etched letters and figures white. The box or number-plate is a neafly-made contrivance, which can be fitted on a steel bar in front of the radiator of any car. The box tapers away at tho back, and so does not prevent the air cooling the radiator. Mrs. Peel has also invented and patented a coloured disc, to be affixed on top of the number-plate, the colour of which will indicate that a car has been properly registered. Mr. Peel estimates that the Citv Council is losing between £3OOO and £4OOO n . year in registration foes, by people failing to register their cars each year. If the disc idea were adopted, its colour would determine at once if the owner had complied with the by-law. ,

The new plate number device is the host thing of its kind the chief motor inspector (Mr. L. S. Drake) has seen, but its adoption would mean that owners of cars would have to purchase the plntes from the City Council, to ensure”uniformity in design, size of letters and figures, nnd position on the front and rear of the car.

The members of the committee wore interested In the device, and ,are to give its proposed adoption due consideration.