ADVERTISING SIGNS ON HIGHWAYS

Taupo Times, Volume III, Issue 124, 11 June 1954, Page 1

ADVERTISING SIGNS ON HIGHWAYS

OWNERS ASK THAT REMOVAL BE RECON8IDERED

A letter to the Borough Council was read at the Council's recent meeting asking that the removal of advertising hoardings, which had been decided upon at the meeting on May 19, be* reconsidered The letter was signed by the owners or managers of the following businesses: — The Terraces Hotel, ' Lake View Private Hotel, Spa Hotel, Mt. View Flats, Pearse's Autopark, Tonga Cabins, Onslow House, Edgewater Lodge, Hill Top Private Hotel. The Council decided to meet the signatories on Wednesday, June 9. It was decided to meet the Committee of the Ratepayers Association, who had requested a meeting in connection with this and other matters, on Thursday, June 10. Referring to the subject matter of the letter, Cr. J. E. Barton said that in discussion with one of the signatories he had been rather impressed with • their point of view. They did not agree that the Council's suggestion of standardised direction signs would at all take the place of their present advertising signs. They maintained that removal of their signs would be unfair, in that other advertisers with premises in the main business area could still advertise their wares on their own properties, while the signatories concerned, whose places were away from the main business area, would be debarred from advertising in that area, through which the travelling public passed. Resultant loss of business would be a loss to the town as a wfiole. Cr Barton said there was a good deal to be said for this view, and thought they should keep an open mind until they had heard the deputation's statement. Cr Young thought the matter would be best served by a discussion with those concerned. Adequate advertising was necessary, but there was need for control. Cr Currie said there was something of value to the public in accommodation signs. It might be that large signs at each entrance to the town, with ' space for each advertiser thereon, might be advisable. Finger post direction signs elsewhere could still be used. It would be drastic to remove all advertising for businesses not in central positions.