CITY SIGHTSEERS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 112, 13 May 1937, Page 11

CITY SIGHTSEERS

HANDLING THE TRAFFIC

PROBLEM FOR POLICE

Thousands of Wellington's citizens, oatching the Coronation spirit, thronged the streels of the city last evening. Footpaths in the main thoroughfares were crowded to the point of discomfort as eager men, women, and children sought to obtain a view of the briliant decorations, and the streets were congested by many hundreds of cars which seemed at times to be caught in an impossible traffic jam, Members' of the Police Force and white-coated traffic inspectors had a heavy burden of responsibility to carry, but tact and good humour, plus the good-natured spirit of pedestrians and motorists alike, saved the situation, and generally order reigned in place of possible chaos. When Wellington -. people become enthusiastic they do it thoroughly, and . last night there was no doubt about the enthusiasm. .Wellington wanted a night out, and it had it—in good measure. And there, was good reason for the enthusiasm. Perhaps never before has the city been so gaily garbed as it is at present. The Government, the civic authorities, business houses, shopkeepers, and even private citizens have combined to make a really brave showing, and expressions of wonderment and satisfaction at. the display made by the Capital City, to mark a momentous occasion in the Empire's history, were heard on all sides. A CITY SET IN JEWELS. Early in the evening, before a mist settled over the city, hundreds of car? made their . way to the heights of Mount Victoria, and from this point Wellington presented a truly wonder-' ful sight.. The .whole city seemed to be set in sparkling jewels, and , the placid waters of Port Nicholson, catching many a reflection, completed the picture. Crowds gathered !on the hillside watched the scene entranced, and were, loth to continue on their way. Only the chilly atmosphere drove their, back to their cars—that and the; prospect of a closer view of the brilliantly- • lighted streets . and buildings. As motorists wended their way down the slopes of Mount Victoria to Oriental Bay more brilliantly-painted pictures came4o the view; Wellington took on a new civic pride. Yes, Nature had certainly endowed the. Capital City with a bounteous hand.'. • Oriental Bay, with its strings of multi-coloured: lights, was a veritable fairyland, and the; crowd, in festive mood,' listening to the .lively strains of band music, made a memorable scene. Across the harbour ■ could be seen, standing out in the dark, still night, many brilliantly-lighted buildings, and these beckoned to sightseers. But the way back to the city wSs no easy one. It was a case of many minds with but a single thought, and once in the line of cars motorists were "very much restricted in their movements. That was all.in the game, however, and the night . was young. .The ' Coronation broadcast jdid, not... start'/yrihtii .close. oji' 9 o'clock,' yyarid.-,". Wellington"' yWas determined to see everything that was offering, ; . ~" " ' 7 " < BRILLIANT LIGHTING; Many cars chose the . short-cut through back streets to the Town Hall, and so wended their way slowly' to Parliament Buildings. But if the slow progress was irksome to drivers, it was a boon to those who had no ij.sponsibility. It enabled a close inspection of the brilliantly-illuminated buildings—the Town Hall, truly a magnificent civic centre, the shipping ol- ■ fices, with a generous scheme of decorations, the mercantile houses, the Chief ..Post Office, the new .railway station, looking more striking than ever in its Coronation garb. Go^ern- , ment Buildings, Parliament House, the Public Trust Office; banks, and shops. Several of the larger shops in the main city streets made a particularly brave showing. One of the most elaborate displays made by a private firm was that of the "Evening Post." The handsome building, brilliantly dressed and flood-lit, certainly caught the attention of the crowd last evening, and Mercer Street at times was packed with admirers. THE TRAFFIC PROBLEM. It was in Lambton Quay^ and Willis Street that the traffic problem became really acute. Extraordinary scenes were witnessed in Bunny Street as streams of cars, three abreast at times, endeavoured to move into Lambton Quay, and two traffic inspectors and some police officers had a difficult task. Their:tact was admirable, and it :says much for their ability ; and for the friendly co-operation of motorists and pedestrians alike that there were .no unpleasant incidents. Up Lambton Quay and in Willis Street progress was slow, but again traffic inspectors and police kept everybody moving steadily. It is a remarkable fact that, despite the tremendous volume of traffic, vehicular and pedestrian, not one : ; accident case was reported from the city area last night. A large number of people travelled on foot and by car around Evans Bay and were deeply impressed by the •illuminations on the waterfront. Particularly noticeable was the Evans Bay Yacht and Motor-boat Clubhouse, which had numerous coloured lights under the eaves- and down the sides and three .beflagged .insets of the King and Queen in conspicuous positions. A searchlight playing on the boats at anchor from the clubhouse added to the brilliance of the spectacle, and, with the reflections shimmering on the calm waters, a beautiful scene was presented.