THE DECORATIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 170, 18 July 1919, Page 5

THE DECORATIONS.

VARYING DISPLAYS IN CITY ' AND SUBURBS. During the past few days tjueen Street and other thoroughfares marking the line of route of the procession have taken on the trappings of rejoicing, and to-day, with the finishing touches being applied to private and public designs, widespread interest was manifested in the displays. The man in the street is a pretty keen critic and he was represented in large quantities to-day by numerous visitors and others who have already commenced holiday-making. Consequently the gentry employed in hanging the exterior embellishments pursued their tasks to the accompaniment of 6howers of advice and criticism from the more pertinent sight-

And in good sooth there was some measure of justification for some of the not entirely complimentary remarks of the critic on the pavement, especially when he delved into the recesses of his memory to draw awkward comparisons between the displays which honoured the visit of the American Fleet and those marking the mere termination of a five years' world war. But by and large Queen Street is sufficiently gay, not to say flambuoyant, to jog the enthusiasm of the most blase when the day of festivity breaks to-morrow. THE CITY SCHEME. The City Council authorities have given a sort of cohesive whole to the decorative scheme, inasmuch as along the line of route they have been responsible for lining the thoroughfares with Venetian poles entwined by draperies of the national colours of the various Allies. The erstwhile gaiety of the colour scheme of the poles has been somewhat dulled and bedraggled through three or four days' exposure to the unsympathetic elements. Still they speak for the spirit, and as they run in harness with the yellow and green effect of the tramway pole decorations—happy union of •the warring colours of Erin!—which has shown greater staying qualities, their appearance is still tolerably engaging. Also part and parcel of the city contribution are banners stretched across the main thoroughfares setting forth the ■battles and locations in which the New Zealand division won renown. These throw their reminders at regular intervals from Quay Street up to the Town Hall and cover the whole range of the New Zealand Division's' operations from Samoa to Le Quesnoy. It is true that the gentleman who spelled out Bapaume has attempted to Maori-ise it by the bestowal of an additional "v," and that the banner which heralds "Peace on Earth" seems to be rather up against the current tidings from Europe, but in these cc ne fait rien days these are the merest trifles, and at all events the appeal is there. i THE GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS. Coming to other public decorations a word of admiration must be expressed of the tasteful way in which the Public Works staff has treated Government buildings in Customs Street West and the Post Office. For good taste and artistic merit the Government displays will bear comparison with anything to be seen in the city, and this is more especially noteworthy when it is remembered that at short notice the staff changed their plans from an illuminative scheme to.a.purely daylight.' decoration. Along the Customs "Street West front of the Government buildings the un»icturesque front has been obliterated -,- by a charming array of front and lateral arches constructed in greenery from the bush. The nikau palm is, of course, the basis of the treatment, but the whole of the materials have been employed with uncommonly good effect. The original scheme for the illumination of the Post Office, as is now generally recognised, would have formed one of the most brilliant features of the Peace Day show, for the general artistry and comprehensiveness of the design'was in keeping with the fine background on which the Public Works Department had to work, and very beautiful lighting effects would undoubtedly have been secured. It is a thousand pities that, for the economising ;of a few pounds' worth of current, this has been abandoned. It is to the credit .of the staffs that such a pleasing alternative display has been prepared. The Auckland Harbour Board' has, so to speak, staked its money on the dark •It 6 ' aS 5t haS gOBe nap on ni & ht eff ects with its elaborate electrical scheme. By day, however, the festooned drapings of the waterfront have given quite a charming aspect to that part of the city. PRIVATE ENTERPRISE. Coming to the. achievements of private enterprise the floodgates of comment might be" opened in regard to the public spirit of many firms and the forgetfulness of others, but as the Peace Celebration - Committee afforded an alternative channel of contribution to the day's festivities through the subscription list, I inquiry may be suspended, as to why 60 i many excellent facades of business premises in Queen Street, which would lend themselves to most effective embellishment, have been left in their naked (severity or have been decorated with I such an excess of simplicity that the | commercial lines of the structures have I scarcely been softened.

On the other hand, we record with i pleasure the good taste and effectiveness which characterise the displays of several Queen Street firms, particularly where it is palpable that the decorative scheme is single-purposed. Messrs. Wilson and Horton have invoked originality and artistic sense in the treatment of their building. With the unique facilities provided by the height and fabric of the Newt Zealand Insurance Company's buildings it would be surprising if there were not a striking display, and there is certainly effectiveness in the huge tricolour drapings which radiate from the clock and the supplementary features of the scheme. Messrs. Milne and Choyce have concentrated on shop-window display, which will be revealed to the public A judicious blending of soft lighting effeetsand subdued background colours, with richness in the treatment of the central figures promises to make the peace tableaux which this firm is preparing outstanding among the snop-window displays. The first tableau is allegorical of the passing from peace to war, and the other depicts Liberty blessing her children. ' Messrs. John Court, Ltd, are combining day and night effects, and they also have utilised the height of their building to effect. The bunting has been hung wath liberal hand, and the employment of the hghting effects will doubtless give a attractive effect. Messrs. Smith and Caughey have limned their building m tri-coloured drapings, and portraits of Hatg and Foch, emblematic shields and greenery are Included in the ensemble. These are some of the outstanding displays, and those who visit Queen Street will be able to measure the merit of other attractive displays, amongst which are those of Messrs. Smeeton, Messrs. Hallenstein Bros., Messrs. J. H. Dalton and Co, Ltd, Whitcombe and Tombs, Cruickshank, i Miller and Co., and many,others»