MOTOR VEHICLES LICENSES.

Shannon News, 11 February 1927, Page 3

MOTOR VEHICLES LICENSES.

NEW NUMBER PLATES. LEVIN TO ISSUE ABOUT 800. From April Ist the present black and white number plates for motor vehicles will be replaced by plates with orange numbers on a black ground. Separate classes of plates have been provided according to the annual license fee payable on the vehicle. These are distinguished by index letters, as follow's: — A for trucks over 1 ton (license fee £3); B, service cars carrying 7or more passengers (fee £5); C, trailers (£1); D, dealers (10/-); E, Government and local body cars. For private cars no index letter is necessary. A supply of the new plates has been received by Mr B. Magee, postmaster at Levin, who is the local licensing authority. The motor-car numbers alloted for distribution in the Levin district range from 60,326 to 60,850, and it is expected that the issue of licenses to all classes of motor vehicles, including motor cycles, will run into 800. The private car numbers for the Palmerston North Postal District, in which the Levin series is included, will range from 56,201 to 64,400. A Charge of 2/6. per pair is made for the plates, andi although some motorists may chafe at having to pay for new sets, they must admit that-at the price mentioned the plates represent very good value. They are of heavy metal, embossed with their numbers and enamelled in a durable way. It is satisfactory to know that they were made entirely in New Zealand. The colour combination suggests that it has been adopted as the. result of optical tests. The contrast is a striking one, and the, bold colour of the figures should reflect the sunlight without dazzling. Black and w'hite plates cannot be lawfully used after March 31st, and the new plates must not be used before April Ist, but owners of motor vehicles are advised to make early application for the latter, so as to relieve the congestion towards the end of March. If an invner fails to display the orange and black plate on and after April Ist, he is liable to a fine of £2O for each day the vehicle is used. The motor car numbers will run progressively from the north to the south of New Zealand. Thus, in the Auckland district they range from 1 to 20,500, in Wellington from 64,401 to I 77,900, and in Invercargill from 117,701 to 124,700.