Application for permit. Shanghai, August 6, 1926. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-14-3266 (0994).

APPLICATION FOR PERMIT. PLEASE grant permission to put one flashlight advertising screen of 8'x9' on the first floor window space in No.516 Range Road corner North Szechuan Road, Cad. Lot No.769 in the Northern District for a period of twelve months and I/we hereby undertake to comply with the following and such other conditions as may be contained in the permit granted by the Council.

1. That the sign not extend in to the ... Road more than Three feet.
2. That sufficient protection be made so that the materials do not fall into the road.
3. That the .... when landed be immediately taken away.
4. That the .... be carried in properly constructed bakets and not dropped on the road.
5. That the road be not opened more than half in widh at a time, and free access be left to all houses, buildings and alleyways.
6. That efficient barriers and lights be placed at night to protect ad shew all openings.
7. That the road or footpath be repained at the completion of the work by the Municipal Council of which 1/we undertake to pay the costs.
8. That in the event of there being any accidents through defective and insuffcient lighting, fencing or barries, or from the absence of same, or from any cause consequent upon this application being granted, I/We hereby undertake to make food at my/our own expense all claims for injuries and accidents that may occur. Note - Application for building permits must be made on the special form issued by the Public Works Department.  

Hansons to Commissioner of Public Works - "Re : Permit Picture advertising Machine-  Mason Co. Shanghai, August 10, 1926. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-14-3266 (0993).  

The Mason Company about whom I write to you on the 2 (?) May last are anxious to secure a permit for an advertising screen in Range Road. I enclose formal application which I trust will receive consideration in the proper  (?). 

Commissioner of Public Works to Acting Chief Office (Fire Brigade) - "Proposed Flash Light Advertising Screen" - Cr. Range & North Szechuen Roads - Cad 769 - Northern". Shanghai, August 24, 1926. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-14-3266 (0994).

An application for permission to instal a flash light advertising screen in a first floor window at the corner of Range and North Szechuen Roads, on the above lot, has been received from the Mason Company Limited. The applicant states verbally that the apparus is similar to that for which a permit was granted in May last at the New World Building, and in connection with which only glass slides will be used. 

I shall be greatly obliged if you will kindly let me know whether you have any objection to the issue of the permit, which, I suggest, should be subject to withdrawal at any time.  

Commissioner of Public Works to Commissioner of Police  - "Proposed Flash Light Advertising Screen" - Cr. Range & North Szechuen Roads - Cad 769 - Northern". Shanghai, August 24, 1926. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-14-3266 (0995).

An application for permission to instal a flash light advertising screen in a first floor window at the corner of Range and North Szechuen Roads, on the above lot, has been received from the Mason Company Limited. The applicant states verbally that the apparus is similar to that for which a permit was granted in May last at the New World Building, and in connection with which only glass slides will be used. 

I shall be greatly obliged if you will kindly let me know whether you have any objection to the issue of the permit, which, I suggest, should be subject to withdrawal at any time.  
 
Chief Officer, Shanghai Fire Brigade to Commissioner of Public Works. "Proposed Flash Light Advertising Screen- Cr. Range & North Szechuen Roads - Cad 769 - Northern". Shanghai, August 26, 1926. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-1081 (1163).

With reference to your letter dated August 24th, on the above subject, the proposed position has been inspected by an Officer of this Department, and, provided the following arrangements are carried out in a room over the Book Shop where it is proposed to instal the advertising lamp, there will be no objection. The conditions are as follow:

The machine shoud be stood on a metal tray and the ventilating pipe to the appartus should be carried up through the roof, as the lamp in use is 4,500 candle power and 1,500 watts. At the same time, the pipe should be protected where it passes through the roof, which is constructed of Chinese tiles. The wiring should be to the satisfaction of the Electricity Department.  

Report of Commissioner of Police. "Proposed Flash Light Advertising Screen" - North Szechuenand Range Roads Corner", Shanghai, August 28, 1926. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-1081 (1164).

I recommend that permission for this screen be refused on the grounds that it would cause unncessary congestion of traffic at a point where the roads are already crowded with double tram tracks, motor buses, etc. and where both the road and pavement are very narrow.  

Commissioner of Public Works to Secretary. "Proposed Flash Light Advertising Screen" - No. 516  Range Road Corner North Szechuen Roads - Cad 769 - Northern District". Shanghai, September 2, 1926. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-1081 (1162). 

An application for permisison ot instal a flashlight advertising screen in a first floor window at the above location has been received from the Mason Company Limited, through Mr. G.H. Wirght, Esq. 

I forward comments on the application from the Commissioner of Police and from the Acting Chief Officer of the Fire Brigade. 

There is no objection as far as this Department is concerned provided that the requirements of the Fire Brigade are complied with.  

Memorandum to Watch Committee. Shanghai, September 3, 1926. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-1081 (1165).

Departmental report relative to an application for permission to install a flashlight advertising screen in premises at the corner of Range and North Szechuen Roads. 

Having regard to the propensity of Chinese crowds to consider such illuminated advertising a form of entertainment, with resultant congestion of pedestrian and other traffic, I would suggest that the objection of the Commissioner of Police be sustained, and the application is disapproved. 

Deputy Secretary to Commissioner of Public Works. "Proposed Flash Light Advertising Screen" - No. 516  Range Road Corner North Szechuen Roads - Cad 769 - Northern District". Shanghai, September 7, 1926. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-1081 (1166).

With reference to your report of September 2, relative to an application for permission to install a flashlight advertising screen in premises at the corner of Range and North Szechuen Roads, I have to inform you that, having regard to the propensity of Chinese crowds to consider such illuminated advertising a form of entertainment, with resultant congestion of pedestrian and other traffic, the application is disapproved. 

Commissioner of Public Works to Mason Company Limited - "Proposed Flash Light Advertising Screen" - No. 516  Range Road Corner North Szechuen Roads - Cad 769 - Northern District". Shanghai, September 10, 1926. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-14-3266 (1002).

With reference to your application for a permit to instal a flashlight advertising screen in premises at the corner of Range and North Szechuen Roads, I beg to inform you that the Council has disapproved the application on account of the possibility of crowds collecting, with resultant congestion of traffic. 
  
Mason Company, Limited to Commissioner of Public Works. "Re-Application fo Permit for Flash Light Advertising at 516 Range Road". Shanghai, September 10, 1926. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-14-3266 (1003).

We beg to have the honour to write you to state that on 17th instant we made demonstration of our Flash Light advertising machine at the above address to the inspection of Captain Wahl, the Assistance Commissioner of Police for Traffic and Inspector Mackenzie of Hongkew Station. We now beg to ask you, with the result which we have proved to them, to kindly reconsider the matter with your goodwill for the protection of public interest and grant us the Permit at an early date. 

Mason Company Limited. Shanghai, September 22, 1926. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-1081 (1167).

We beg to have the honour to write you to state that on 17th instant (September 1926), we made demonstration of our Flash light advertising machine at the above address to the inspection of Captain Wahl, the Assistant Commissioner of Police for Traffic and Inspector Mackenzie of Hongkew Station. We now beg to ask you, with the result which we have proved to them, to kindly reconsider the matter with your godwill for the protection of public interest and grant us the permit at an early date. 

Commissioner of Police to Acting Secretary "Flashilight Advertising - Ref. No. 2172 of 22/9/26". Shanghai, September 24, 1926. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-1081 (1168).

As a result of the demonstration referred to by Mason Company, Limited, I am now prepared to withdraw my objection to the granting og the application provided that it is liable to be withdrawn, should the Police consider that course to be necessary.  

Watch Committee, Memorandum. Shanghai, September 25, 1926. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-1081 (1169).

Further letter from Messrs. Mason Company, Limited, with favourable Police comment, and relative file. 

Whilst the original ground for refusal did not pertain to the flashlight apparatus itself, but to pedestrian traffic congestion, and the present report fails to state that this latter objection will be met, members mays, perhaps, be willing to approve the application at the same time, reserving the Council's right to call for discontinuance in its discretion, and on the understanding that the Fire Brigade requirements must first be complied with. 

Letter from Mason Company, Limited. Shanghai, September 28, 1926. Shanghai, September 25, 1926. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-3-1081 (1170). 

We beg to inform you that since we wrote you on the 2nd instant (September 1926), we learned from the Landlord of the above place that the houses there shall be pulled down, in one or two months times and such being the case we do not require the Permit from you for our Flashlignt Screen at the above place (516 Range Road). 

We have yesterday made application to the Commissioner of Public Works for Permit for the same purpose at the roof of the Bubbling Well Pharmacy, corner of Carter Road.