NEW COLOUR SCHEMES

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1068, 4 September 1930, Page 10

NEW COLOUR SCHEMES

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS AMENDMENT BUSINESS FIRMS’ ATTITUDE Further protests against the City Council's proposal to restrict the colours of display signs were received from business houses at a special meeting of the City Council this afternoon. The Chamber of Commerce was among those who protested. The Works Committee, having listened to representations, submitted an amended proposal, extending the use of colours which it had been intended to prohibit. Two large oil companies protested that the adoption of the original proposal would mean the banning of standard signs, which were really part and parcel of their business. They contended that their business would be seriously penalised if existing colours were prohibited. The City Engineer, Mr. J. Tyler, reported that the adoption of restricted colours was the outcome of the indiscriminate use of certain vivid colours, which, it was submitted, would not in any way enhance the appearance of the city. In the case of one oil company, however, the proposed amendments would not affect advertising, as what he proposed permitted the use of red, white and blue. As far as the other protesting company was concerned, the only objection to the present “standard” sign was the red background. He suggested that this might be overcome by the substitution of a suitable brown instead of the red. Mr. Tyler pointed out that as far as he was advised it was not the council’s intention to make the proposed by-law retrospective. Since the Works Committee had considered the proposed by-law the City Engineer had suggested further amendments which modify his original proposals. The committee has considered these and recommended to the council today that the following be permitted: Background or base. —Black, white, cream, grey, deep blue, brown, deep green. Letters or marks.—Black, white, cream, blue, brown, green, red, yellow, gold, silver. The original range was as follows: Background or base. —Black, white, deep blue, brown, deep green. Letters. —Black, white, deep blue, brown, deep green, gold, silver. A BRIGHT CITY Speaking on behalf of business Aims, Mr. W. Pascoe, who was one of a deputation, claimed that visitors to Auckland had always remarked on the brightness of the streets, but if the original scheme of restrictions were adopted Auckland would resemble a city of the dead. It was not fair to restrict business houses in the choice of colours for signs. "We want no limitations,” said Mr. Pascoe. Mr. L. Kelly said that if the proposed by-law went through it would be necessary for him to dispense with many men. “I think you are arrogating to yourselves too great powers,” he said. (Proceeding.)