HUTT ROAD HOARDINGS

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12093, 21 March 1925, Page 4

HUTT ROAD HOARDINGS

DELEGATION Tl MINISTER A QUESTION OF REVENUE AND DISFIGURATION. A deputation waited upon the Minister for Railways (Hon. J. G. Coates) yesterday, to protest against tho display of hoardings on the railway along 1 the Hutt road for advertising purposes, which it was urged would seriously disfigure what was calculated to be one of the finest marine drives in tho world. RENEWAL OF CONTRACTS. The Mayor (Mr R. A. Wright) introduced the deputation, and 6aid the Hutt road Extension Board was now engaged in surfacing work which would extend to Upper Hutt. Elasthourne. back to the city, Oriental Bay, Seatoun, along the foreshore to Lyall Bay, Island Bay, and Ohira Bay. It was thought the Railway Department should not encourage more hoardings, which would tend to detract from the 6cenic beauties and obstruct the view of the public to a great extent. They asked the Minister to do all in his power in that direction, and that existing contracts should not be lenewed upon expiration. Mr E. W. Hunt (president of the Academy.,of Fine Arts) said the hoardings along the Hutt road filled one’s mind with indignation. Wellington was a beautiful city with this splen. did drive, which was being spoiled in this way. Mr R. McKeen, M.P., admitted that the railways should be run for the benefit and in the interests of the public, but he did not ilimk the erection of these .hoardings was in the interests of the public. Mr C. W. Tanner referred to the powers granted to local authorities to prohibit hoardings, even on private ground, in England, and he thought ■ similar powers might he given to them in Now Zealand, Mr D. McLaren voiced similar protests on behalf of the Civic League and and affiliated organisations. “EVERY SOURCE OF REVENUE’' ADVICE TO CITY OOUNOIL. The Minister replied that Wellington City was not free from such hoardings, , and should look to its own town before telling the Railway Department how to improve its affairs. The department had to take advantage of every source of revenue possible, and' he was afraid there would be a deficit in the working of the railways this year. The revenue received from advertising was £20,000, and it might be increased to £IOO,OOO. Although anxious to derive revenue, the department did not desire to destroy the beauty-spots of any locality, and he promised to look info the matter and give them an answer in due courso. Th Mayor said he did not object to the department advertising, and with regard to hoardings in the city, they did not obstruct a picturesque view'.