UGLY HOARDINGS

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 63, 8 December 1930, Page 10

UGLY HOARDINGS

New Law Suggested MOTORISTS’ PROTEST By Telegraph.—Freus Association. Invercargill, December 5. That motoriris view with grave alarm the erection of advertising hoardings throughout the Dominion was emphatically stressed by speakers at the quarterly meeting of the South Island Motor Union to-day. Delegates based their attitude on the grounds that such signs constitute not only a grave menace to personal safety of road users, but also tend to detract from the natural beauty of the countryside. The chairman, Mr. F. W. Johnston, of Christchurch, said it was highly desirable that some action should be taken. Mr. F. Frederick, Southland: Is not the Government itself the worst offenders in this respect? The chairman: We must keep our eyes on the matter, and use every endeavour to combat this grave danger that is arising. Mr. W. Wright, of Otago, said it was necessary that dangerous roadside hoardings should be objected to, and motorists in Otago were keenly desirous of seeing some united action taken in the matter. After further discussion the following resolution was carried: —

“That the Government be approachwith a view to passing legislation granting local authorities the necessary power to remove any hoarding which, in the opinion of the county, is a danger or detrimental to road users, and that the North Island Union be written to asking that it co-operate in a protest.”

A letter was received from Mr. H. H. Sterling, General Manager of Railways, stating that he could not accede to the request of the union for the removal of two advertising boardings on the railway reserve on the south side of the Sockburn railway crossing. He stated that the boardings in question had been erected under contract with advertisers, and as the view was not affected, he would by no means be justified in terminating the contracts. It was decided to reply that Mr. Sterling’s letter did not cover the main point in the union’s communication.