Ice-Cream Vans Called “Hazard”

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31169, 20 September 1966, Page 16

Ice-Cream Vans Called “Hazard”

“Mr Whippy’s” ice*cream vans, travelling the streets to the tune of “Greensleeves,” were a hazard to traffic and children, the City Council was told by its act* ing-Traffic Superintendent (Mr H. W. Birdling) last evening; and most councillors agreed with him.

The proprietors of the vans, Soft Serve Products, Ltd., which some councillors said was part of an international organisation, was refused a hawker’s licence.

Cr. L. G. Amos, chairman of the traffic committee, wanted a meeting of all local bodies in the metropolitan area with a view of banning "Mr Whippy” vans, but he did not get a seconder.

The Mayor (Mr G. Manning) thought an approach could be made to the New Zealand Traffic Institute for a uniform policy; but he did not pursue the matter. “The method of announcement of the ‘Mr Whippy’ vehicle in a street is suffi-

cient to make a child act on impulse, and as the vehicle moves along the street it adds another ingredient in that there is only a limited time for the child to intercept the vehicle and make a purchase,” said Mr Birdling. “In present-day traffic, and considering the speed attained by vehicles in suburban areas and where children are lured or enticed on to the streets, there is the

hazard that at some time, somewhere, a child may be injured or killed by one of these passing vehicles,” he said.

Effect On Shops Cr. H. G. Hay said he was worried about the effect of itinerant vendors on the established shopkeepers, particularly the small shop-

keepers, who paid rates and then saw someone come along and for "5s or so a year pick the eyes out of the trade.” If travelling vendors were to be allowed, then they should pay a much more realistic licence fee, he said. In days gone by hawkers

used to go to doors with their wares, but now they just had to play a tune and say “Here I am,” said Cr. H. E Denton. "I don’t think it is right that ‘Mr Whippy’ can pull up outside a shopkeeper and do trade to the detriment of the shop. But that apart, we should tackle the question on the danger to children.” It was obvious that children could run out when they

heard a tune and knew they could buy ice-cream, Cr. W. H. Mathison said. Was it correct that the vans had a sign “watch for children”? "Yes, after a child had been killed in Auckland," Cr. Hay said. "Off the Road” "If it’s going to save a child, then I say ‘Off the road “Mr Whippy” Cr. Mathison added. “Mr Whippy” had the support of the people of Christchurch and the children or he would not be trading here, Cr. R. H. Stillwell said. He was taking ice-creams to the people’s doors whereas in some suburbs they had to walk a quarter of a mile for ice-cream.

“If a local body is not able to take power to prevent trading in the streets, then some legislation enabling it to do so might well be sought,” said Cr. H. P. Smith, chairman of the bylaws committee. It was inconsistent with modern-day use of the roads that an itinerant vehicle should be able to choose its own rate of progress. Quoting from a circular of the Municipal Association on “Mr Whippy” vans, Cr. Smith said it recommended that selling should be limited to the kerbside, and, where possible, entirely off the roadway.

“That does nothing for the children on the other side of the road,” he added. “The council should go as far as possible to seek power to prohibit these activities altogether.”