LAW INVOKED

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 973, 16 May 1930, Page 1

LAW INVOKED

USE OF HOARDINGS POSITION AT TAKAPUNA Litigation is pending which is calculated to clarify the position of local bodies in the matter of the control of advertising hoardings in their areas. For more than two years there has been constant friction between the Takapuna Borough Council and the lessees of some big hoardings in the borough. The council has consistently refused to accept the licence fees proffered by the lessees for the right to exhibit advertisements and the lessees have been equally consistent in their resistance of the council’s demands to demolish the hoardings.

A prosecution was ordered by the borough administration, but proceedings were stayed when advice was received that the firm affected proposed to challenge the validity of the council’s by-law in the Supreme Court. The contention of the hoarding proprietors is that the by-law is unreasonable and is in restraint of trade. In view of the far-reaching effect upon local bodies throughout the Bominion, the Municipal Association of New Zealand has undertaken to take up the litigation on behalf of the Takapuna Borough Council and its solicitor, Mr. J. O’Shea, of Wellington, will appear for the respondents when the case comes before the Supreme Court. Bending this decision, every application for a renewal of licences for hoardings has been deferred by the council.