PARKING METERS NOT IN FAVOUR

Taupo Times, Volume XIV, Issue 69, 2 September 1965, Page 1

PARKING METERS NOT IN

FAVOUR

Taupo businessmeii seem very much against the installation of parking meters in the main Taupo business area. This was revealed in a reeent survey of various shops and businessmen. Mr J. S. Lockyer pointed out that parking meters were unwarranted in Taupo at present. He felt that there may be a need for them when the town has grown. The manageress of McCready's, Mrs A. Watson, also said this and added that "parking meters spoil the look of a town and in a pretty place like Taupo, that would be a pity." The manager of Tonge's. Shoe Store, Mr J. F. Tonge,

was very much against parking meters. "After observing trends in other districts, I feel they are a deterrent to shoppers and detrimental to businesses generally," he said. Mr Tonge stated that as a member of the Auckland Retailers' Association he had acquired some experience of shop customers and their opinions of parking meters. From this experience he was able to say. that parking meters in Taupo would be "the kiss of death to local retailers." "People come into my shop from .places like Auckland and I ask them why they shop in Taupo rather than in the city shops. They tell me it is because there is ample parking space here and they are not bothered with meters." He suggested that the presence of meters encourage people to look for nonmetered streets in which to do their shopping. Other businessmen thought of bringing in limited parking times such as 60 minutes or less, but most were not enthusiastic about this.