Engineer & Surveyor to Secretary - Street Advertising - Fowarding application by the China Advertising Company and kep plans. Shanghai, May 4, 1907. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-2-886 (0083) 

I have received an application form the China Advertising Company to erect advertising hoardings at the corner of Soocho and Szechuen Roads, but have informed them that the permit cannot be issued on account of this being a residential district. The enclosed key plan show the position of the 1st. I beg to ask the Committe to confirm my reply of the 1st instant. I may say that the permit for the erection of the building has not yet been issued, so that the Advertising Company to not appear to have any "locus standi". 

Engineer & Surveyor to China Advertising Company - informing that the permit cannot be granted on the grounds that the locality may be considered a residential district. Shanghai, May 2, 1907. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-2-886 (0084).

I beg to inform you that hte permit to erect advertising boards at the corner of Soochow and Szechuen Roads for which you applied yesterday cannot be granted as this locality may be considered a residential district. 

Extract from Council Minutes dated 15/11/1905 - "Advertising Boards". Shanghai, November 15, 1905. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-2-886 (0087).

Advertising Boards. Some discussion takes places in respect to the application of Messrs. A.G. Mink and Company and others to erect boards and posters at various points in the Settlement. The recent decision as to bill posting in general is considered applicable, no restriction will at present be placed on the use of scaffoldings and temporary hoardings for these purposes, and directions are given that every possible step to be taken to discourage advertisements here they may be considered offensive.   

Extract from Council Minutes dated 10/01/1906 - "Public Advertising". Shanghai, January 10, 1906. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-2-886 (0087).

Public Advertising. A report by the Municipal Engineer is submitted drawing attention to certain undesirable features in the public advertising on hoardings as conducted by the Shanghai Bill Posting Company. He recommends the imposition of fees and the introduction of a condition in permits for erecting fences that they be not used for advertising purposes. The Council desdices to adhere to the resolution previously recorded in this matter, namely to allow public advertisement on temporary hoardings, but confines this permission to the business districts of the Settlement, stipulating that the residential districts shall be free from such advertisement. It is also understoof that any advertisement of an objectional nature be removed by the Manager of the Company if required to do so by the Council. 

Extract from Council Minutes dated 17/01/1906 - "Public Advertising". Shanghai, January 17, 1906. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-2-886 (0087).

Public Advertising. As the result of correspondence with the Shanghai Bill Posting Co. The Municipal Engineer requests further and more definit instructions in regard to the terms to be imposed for the exhibition of public advertisements. The council confirms the conditions already laid down, namely that in return for the privilege of advertising on hoardings within the business area of the Settlement, the Company shall undertake to confine its operations to that area and to post no advertisements in the residential districts. The definition of the "business area" is left to the discretion of the Municipal Engineer. 

Secretary to Works Committe (Hand-written Memorandum) - forwarding Report by Engineer. Shanghai, May 7, 1907 (?). Source: SMA (SMC), U1-2-886 (0088).

I would very much like to endorse Mr. M..'s letter as I am (???) against all this sort of advertising but I am afraid our previous policy commits us. We decided if I remember right to allow these temporary hoardings during rebuilding (look at Whitaway Laidlaw & Co's premises etc. etc.) and until quite recently the houses opposite Astor hourse ... Club on Bund and I am afraide there therefore we have to allow them on Soochow Creek. Under ... the Committee is unanimous your getter hold over until next Council Meeting.