HOARDINGS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 4 May 1931, Page 6

HOARDINGS

CAMPAIGN FOR ABOLITION COUNTIES APPROACHED At the last meeting of the Springs County Council a letter was received from the secretary of the Christchurch branch of the New Zealand Town Planning Institute stating that the subject of advertising hoardings had been discussed by the branch, and asking the sympathy and co-operation of (lie Council in endeavouring to abolish these structures, reports the “Press.” County Councils had power under the Counties Act to deal with the question by by-law, and it was suggested.- that the Council might take action in this respect. “The preservation of rural amenities of Ilia natural beauty of the countryside, and the prevention of its desecration, are matters which are receiving world-wide attention,” the letter continued, “public opinion in Great Britain, America, and the Continent of Europe being intensely aroused. From the point of view of traffic, hoardings sometimes constitute a real danger, being placed adjacent to bends in the roads, thus obstructing the view; also they distract the attention of drivers of motor vehicles, in both cases increasing the danger of accidents. The Christchurch branch respectfully urges that your Council exercises its powers under the Counties Act to put an end to what has become a nuisance, a danger, and an eyesore ” Councillor J. W. Kime remarked that there were very few hoardings in the Springs county at present. The chairman (Dir J. S. Simpson): If we are going to take action, we should do so at once. The clerk said it would cost a fair sum to obtain the necessary authority to deal with the hoarding nuisance.

Tile chairman said that some time ago two hoardings had been erected at Lincoln at the entrances to the township. They had been eyesores to him, and, he thought, to most other people. It was not long before they had been removed. Hoardings were undesirable, particularly in the country districts, and ho would like to see something done to prevent the nuisance growing. He understood that some other counties were adopting joint by-laws, which should be available shortly. He had been wondering whether they contained by-laws relating to hoardings. “There are plenty of newspapers to carry all the advertising without defacing the countryside with unsightly hoardings,” said Cr. IT. A. Kimber. It was agreed that the clerk should enquire into the cost of having a bylaw framed and brought into operation, and report at its next meeting.