Report from Acting Engineer & Surveyor to Acting Secretary. Shanghai, November 14, 1905. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-14-3256 (1993).

In continuation of my report of the 9th instant (November 1905), I beg to report that Mr. A.G. Mink has called here today, asking for  permission to erect forty-seven large advertising boards in various parts of the Settlement. He explains that his desire is to let the boards into fences erected round buildings in course of erection, so that the bills would be pasted on boards fixed in the same line as the bamboo fences. 

The question arises as to whether this should be allowed in view of the fact that in nine cases out of ten the land on which the fences stand is part the for public road, althought loaned to the proprietor for the purpose of erecting his building. 

I think that unless something is done to control it, needless and unscrupulous advertising will disfigure the Settlement, and would suggest that bill-sticking be prohibited on any fences of boards standing on public throroughfares. To secure this it would be easy to insert a clause on permits for fences standing on public thoroughfares, "That no advertisements be allowed on the fences". 

Letter from Acting Engineer & Surveyor to A.G. Mink & Co. Shanghai, November 10, 1905. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-14-3256 (1995).

With reference to your the permit issued allowing you to erect bulletin boards in various parts of the Settlement, I beg to point out that such permits are issued only upon the understanding that there shall be no encroachment on the public thoroughfares. A great many of your bulletin boards do encroach upon the thoroughfares and I shall be glad therefore if you will have these removed at an early date. 

Letter from Acting Secretary to A.G. Mink & Co. Shanghai, November 16, 1905. Source: SMA (SMC), U1-14-3256 (1996).

4 th instant on the subject of bill-posting and other forms of street-advertisemnt. In reply thereto, I am directed to draw your attention to the minute in re published in this morning's newspapers. It is to be osberved that no work of this character involving encroachment or obustrctuion even of a temporary nature, to the public streets can be undertaken withtout a permit from the Municipal Engineer. 

The Council at present sees no objection to the erection of advertising boards as protective fences for buildings in course of erection.