MOTOR NUMBER PLATES.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4593, 27 August 1923, Page 2

MOTOR NUMBER PLATES.

MANY QUITE ILLEGAL. On many of the latest model motor cars are to be found elaborate, stylish number, plates, which are, however, quite illegal under the motor regulations (states the Ashburton Guardian). While the official number plate is, if made to the required dimensions, somewhat over large and not always pleasing to the eye, the inspectors can catch the white number on the black plate (which style is stipulated) more easily than they can the metal figures, which glisten in the sunshine. The regulations state that the letters and figures must be 3y 2 in high, 2%in each in width (the writing to be at least %in thick) ; there must be half an inch space between each letter or figure, and a margin of half an inch at either end of the plate, which has to be rectangular in design. The county council inspector informed a reporter that stencilled lettering, often seen on farmers’ cars, was invariably not of the proper dimensions, and was prohibited. Even with the regulation plate it was often difficult tc observe the numbers during bad weather, when the roads were muddy, or when there was much dust, for comparatively few people paid sufficient attention to the cleaning of their number plates.