DRAINAGE BOARD DISCUSSION

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28155, 19 December 1956, Page 14

DRAINAGE BOARD DISCUSSION

“GREAT DISFAVOUR’’ EXPRESSED The disfigurement of scenic attractions by commercial advertisements was viewed with great disfavour by the Christchurch Drainage Board last evening. The board expressed the hope that other local bodies and organisations and business firms might express their views. At first blush it might appear that he was raising a matter of no concern to the board, said the chairman <Mr H. P. Smith) referring to the erection of a commercial advertisement at Parapet Rock on the ChristchurchArthur’s Pass highway, and the suggestion of Sir Edmund Hillary that legislation might be considered to prevent such exploitation of scenic beauty. “This board has adopted a plan for pumping stations to ensure that they do not unduly detract from surrounding homes and is planning the new sewage treatment works so that, rather than be a blot on the landscape. they will have definite aesthetic value,” said Mr Smith. “This is a principle which is being adopted by other local bodies and it is distressing to think that while this desirable tendency is evident in the cities, commercial disfigurement of our scernc inheritance may occur.” He suggested that some member might be willing to move the motion, which was adopted by the board. Mr R. C. Neville, who moved the motion, said ratepayers would laud the chairman’s proposal. An example had been set by the City Council in refusing permission for hoardings on the fence at the new railway station, said Mr W. P. Glue. Instead of being an advertisement for the firm, the hoarding might have a different effect. “What is the name of the firm?” asked Mr Neville. “It would not be politic to mention the firm’s name,” said the chairman.