PEACE CELEBRATIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 164, 11 July 1919, Page 5

PEACE CELEBRATIONS.

ILLUMINATIONS WELL UNDER , WAY. A PECULIAR POSITION. Despite the reassurance of the ActingPrime Minister that .the decision of Cabinet in regard to Illuminations is final and irrevocable those who have embarked upon illuminative schemes in connection with tue Auckland peace celebrations are not disposed to interpret the decision of Cabinet as prohibiting illuminations where the electrical supply is coal produced, and various schemes of decorations are well under way.

The position reported to the Peace Committee by the electrical engineer to the City Council, namely, tliat the illuminations will only involve the consumption of a relatively small quantity of City Council slack coal and the expenditure of a few pounds, coupled with the telegram received from the Government by the chairman of the Harbour Board (Mr. 11. D. Heather) to the effect that the Government will "play the game" where expenditure was incurred in good faith, have given fixity to the disposition to proceed with the decorations, and during the past few days the erections of the framework of the various illuminative designs have created quite a lot of public attention. GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS. The fine facade of the post office lends opportunity for an exceedingly effective display, and in view of the uncertainty attaching to the position the Public "Works Department is pushing ahead with the lighting scheme, which ie now almost completed. Similarly at the Customs Street West frontage of Government Buildings aiP extensive decorative and illuminative plan is in progress, making provision for a, series of front and lateral arches along the footway, and a gay display of flags above. The Government Life Offices are also being decorated. Preparations are being made for a tasteful display to be viewed by day, in the event of the Government embargo on the electric light being insisted upon, and for this purpose large quantities of greenery are being brought from Paeroa and Waitakere. The three Government Buildings enumerated all promise to assume an attractive appearance by day, whether or not the expensive structures in connection with the illuminations have been erected in vain. It is possible that in the light of the figures relating

iv mc cosx and tne coal consumption the Peace Celebrations Committee may make representations to the Government with ;he object of inducing them to permit ;he use of City Council current for the decorations now almost completed. THE WATERFRONTS. The scheme prepared by the Harbour Board Engineer (Mr W. H. Hamer) promises to vie favourably with any ot the decorative designs. It is simple but comprehensive, and ie designed to make the beet advantage offered by the water reflections. The ferry buildinga are being picked out in outline by fairy lights, and the tower is being similarly silhouetted, while from near its apex , will be euspi'nded, on either side, huge festoons of lights. Radiating from the fgrry building festoons of coloured lights will curve away along the waterfront. Pictures of,the King and Queen on the front of the Ferry Building will be thrown into relief by the lighting effects, and each of the columns from which the lights will be .suspended will be embelliehed by a picture of a prominent general or leader of the Allied countries. The obelisk on the western waterfront will also be suitably treated with lighting effects. By day the waterfront will be adorned with draping*, flags and greenery, and a tasteful colour scheme has been prepared, a feature of which will be the treatment of the pillare in the national colours of the Allied nations. The Harbour Board's decorations do not otop at the Auckland waterfront, and arrangements have been made for the lighting and decoration of the wharves at Onehunga, Devonport, Northcote, and Birkenhead. At Devonport the scheme comprises a triple festoon along the road frontage of the Victoria wharf, pictures of the King and Queen and subsidiary festoons along the wharf. AX OPPORTUNITY TO HELP. • The Deputy Mayor (Mr A. J. Entrican) points out that there is ample opportunity'for business men and others who are not on the line of route of the procession to make their contribution to the celebrations, and subscriptions from those unable to help in the decorative scheme would be gladly received by the Town Clerk. ILLUMINATIONS PROHIBITED. A DEFINITE STATEMENT. » WELLINGTON, Thursday. The attention of the Acting-Prime I Minister (Sir James Allen) was drawn to-day to a statement by the Mayor rcxrardincr Peace illuminations. The Minister said the' Cabinet's decision was quite definite, and applied absolutely to all illuminations which involved consumption of coal. This included cases of lighting by gas producing engines. The Cabinet regretted to make the decision, ~nd recognised that though the consumption" of coal in individual cases might be small, every little added to the total. They could not permit illuminations which 'were not in any way essential, when it meant a consumption of coal which was wanted in cottages. 1 uolic buildings were included in the prohibition, and the only exception was m the case of illuminations where the power was not coal-produced, for example, where there were hydro-electric installations. I NEW LYNN. A meeting of the New Lynn Peace Committee took place on Wednesday evenin". Mr. George Laweon presided. It was" unanimously decided to hold the Children's Day on Monday July 2Mb.A letter was received from Mr. W.J. JUIMi headmaster, offering the services ot himself and staff for the day, which the committee accepted. The chairman reported that the services of the Auckland City Band had been secured for the occasion, and that arrangements were complete with respect to the tents, etc. Mr. H. Cutler submitted the Sports Committee's report, providing for thirty races for the children; also reporting that the toys and prizes had been selected. Mr. (.}." Gilliam (Refreshment Committee) reported that arrangements were practically complete for the feeding of 400 children. It was decided to invite Mr. C. J. Parr, M.P., to give an address to the gathering. The committee were of the opinion that, given fine weather, a very succeseful day was in store for the New, Lynn children. ■J*f£>- X - J *\..