VIEWED WITH ALARM

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 137, 8 December 1930, Page 13

VIEWED WITH ALARM

DANGEROUS HOARDINGS

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) INVERCARGILL, 6th Dec. That motorists 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 yesterday. Delegates based thoir 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 countiyside. The chairman (Mr. P. W. Johnston, of Christchurch) said it was highly desirable that some action should be taken. Mr. F. Frederick (Southland): "Is not tlio Government itself the worst offender in this respect?" . The Chairman: "Wo must keep our ejxs on the matter, and use every endeavour to combat this grave danger that is arising." Mr. W. Wright (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 approached with 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 the General Manager of Railways (Mr. H. H. Sterling), stating that he could not accede to the request of thg union for thu removal of two advertising hoardings on the railway reservo on the south side of the Soekburn railway crossing. He stated that tho hoardings in question had been erected under contract with advertisers, and as the view was not affected he would by no means bo justified in terminating the contract. It was decided to reply that Mr. Sterling's letter did not cover the main point in the union's communication.