PARAPET ROCK HOARDING

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28153, 17 December 1956, Page 24

PARAPET ROCK HOARDING

SIR EDMUND HILLARY PROTESTS “N.Z. SCENERY SHOULD NOT BE DESPOILED” Sir Edmund Hillary, who will leave for the Antarctic in H.M.N.Z.S. Endeavour this evening, protested last evening against the erection of a massive advertising hoarding at Parapet Rock, on the Christchurch-West Coast main highway. “I have been distressed to hear from some of my mountaineering friends in Christchurch of the advertising hoarding which has been erected on a prominent feature on the road to Arthur’s Pass,’’ Sir Edmund Hillary said. “I have not, seen the hoarding, but I understand it is a very large one indeed. I know the area involved, and I can easily imagine how the presence of this hoarding must be offensive to all those who cherish the beauty of our mountain scenery.

“Anything of that nature in mountain country which spoils the scenery should be done away with. The company concerned should do it of its own accord when it sees such public opposition.

“It will be essential in the future to stop our beauty spots being cluttered up with signs. In Italy one Pan hardly see the view for signs. New Zealand mountain scenery is among the most beautiful in the world, and it should not be despoiled by commercial interests against the wishes of the public.” said Sir Edmund Hillary. “There are surely more suitable places for putting this particular hoarding, and it is to be hoped that the firpn concerned will show its public interest and remove the hoarding to some other site. “It may well be that the time is opportune for the introduction in Parliament of legislation which will protect our national assets from similar despoliation in the future. If finality is reached in this particular case and the public gets the hoarding removed it might be a very good precedent for problems that may arise in the future. “There is still time now to deal with the whole problem, whereas later there may not be.” Sir Edmund Hillary said. Parapet Rock. 50 to 100 yards to the north of the main highway, is a prominent feature of the landscape on the Christchurch side of the Craigieburn cutting. It is on land owned by the Canterbury University College Council, whose appeals to the firm owning the hoarding have been unsuccessful.