THE ILLUMINATIONS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12536, 25 June 1901, Page 9

THE ILLUMINATIONS.

ANOTHER FINE DISPLAY. The illuminations in the city last evening made another brilliant spectacle, appearing to even greater advantage than on Saturday evening, as the absence of wind last .night permitted the steadier burning of gas devices. The Cathedral’s brilliant display was again the centre of attraction, and, viewed from all points of the compass, ' it was a beautiful sight. The frozen meat arch in High Street had a number of ads’ dicional lamps, and formed one of the

most pleasing features in the street, the whole arch being outlined in red and white electric lights. A brilliant pyrotechnic display was again shown on the roofs of the Koiapoi Woollen Company’s premises, the Harbour Board offices and several other buildings, the crowds below testifying their appreciation by applause and cheers. The streets, during the earlier part of the evening, were throngecL-by many thousands of people, -probably forming the largest concourse that has ever filled Christchurch streets. At times a serious block seemed imminent, but the crowd generally was good-humoured, and moved 1 up and down admiring the different displays. The Cathedral tower was outlined _in electric lights, with 192 lamps appearing through the apertures in the spire, 56 bn ■the balcony rails, 32 on the balustrades, 236 in the motto, 100 in the string course, 216 down the tower sides in six chains, 100 round the arches of the balcony doors, 210 on the pinnacles and dormers, and a number round' the belfry windows, the whole making a magnificent spectacle. _ The total power required to furnish the lights was over 60 horse-pov .r. A special plant had been arranged in- the. north-west corner of Cathedral Square to supply the power for the search light for the cross, and another plant at the back of the Cathedral for the pinnacle lights. The power for all the other lights, as well as those for several other illuminations, was furnished by the dynamos at the “Lyttelton Times ” Office, which supplied 2000 lamps in all. The search light was a very powerful one, and a brilliant shaft of light was directed on the cross the whole evening. The Post Office buildings w.ere brilliantly lit with gas. On the northern front was a large Royal coat of arms, with six transparencies. On the east tower, coloured firo was burned, and on the eastern front were gas designs of the rose, shamrock and! thistle, festoons of fairy lights, “E.E.1.” in gas, a transparency of the* Duke and Duchess, another- representing the King and Queen, and yet another with the Royal arms. The New Zealand Government Life Insurance building was adorned with rows'of red, white and blue lanterns, and two stats and! the letters “E.R.” illuminated; -with gas. , ~ . The City Council buildings, on which gas was used as an ■ dlluminant, were very effectively treated. On the comer of Worcester Street and Oxford Terrace _ was a very large representation of “Justice,” in jets, with scroll 4 title. On the south wall the handsome terracotta figures of j?ln- t dustry” and “Concord” had scroll titles, with -outline borders of jets, while on the east front were. large transparencies, one representing “Plenty,” and two -the (British arms, One unique transparency, entitled “Lest we Forget,’ showed a picture of the late Queen, guarded by a Alapri chief, and with ti trees in - the back ground. The transparencies had a charming effect. , On the Chamber of Commerce buildings' were three lines of coloured fairy lamps, the whole length- of the building, ana two transparencies, representing the .King and Queen. The Lyttelton Harbour Board offices were illuminated' with 200 electric lights, the devices being a crown. Prince of Wales feathers, and the letters “G.M.,” with a coloured border. Prom the top of the building a brilliant display of fireworks was shbwn. .

Messrs Fletcher, Humphreys and Co. exhibited a very fin© design in -gas of the shamrock, rose and thistle, bound with a ribbon, on which were nicely arranged the letters “E.R.1.”, and, as representing the French Consulate, there was a transparency with the coat of arms of tie French Republic. At Warner’s Hotel there was a good transparency, “ Welcome to our Royal Visitors.” On the Ocean Accident Insurance Company’s Office there was a transparency with the words “ Welcome to our Sailor Prince,” and over tips was another of a lighthouse, flanked by “E.R.”, a.nd over all was a large arch in gas jets. Alessrs Dalgcty and Company’s building was hamdsomiely illuminated! with •lamps of coloured prismatic glass, with Prince of Wales’ feathers at top and bottom, E.R. iu : tbe centre, and the motto,.“God save the King,'' running round the border. On-AInE. w. Roper’s buildings there was ■_ a gas star and laurel wreath, with the letters E.R. Air T. G. Russell’s ■ office ‘ was decorated with a large crown and circle of coloured electric globes, 100 lamps in all. At Broadway’s comer, festoons of orange and red electric lights were shown on the verandah, "with a crown in the centre. The 180 lamps comprised formed a very effective display." Messrs J. AI. Heywoo'd and Co.’s premises, in Cathedral Square, were illuminated with a crown, star, and the letters “ E.R.”, with a border of red, and the building was tastefully decorated with greenery. Afostrs Hargreaves and Co. had a very effective transparency showing a map of the world, flags and a crown.

The Canterbury Club had a large star in gas with rose, shamrock and thistle, tho whole device being flanked by the letters “E.E.” in large letters. The Federal Club was ornamented with a very fine rose in gas, with the letter “E” in the centre. Each end, the centre and side arches of the Government arch at Victoria Bridge were outlined in electric lights, the middle arches being hung with three-light fittings in red and orange lamps, used alternately Over 300 lamps in all, were called into requisition, and the power was supplied by an engine at the Supreme Court Buildings. The whole effect was very artistic, and formed one of the most pleasing features of the illuminations. The canopy at Armagh and Colombo Street junction was festooned with four-light fittings, and corruscated borders miming from the angles to the centre. Over 300 dark and pale orange lights were utilised, and though the general effect was not so pretty as at the Government arch, it was well deserving of mention. On the Westland gold display in ths Triangle wero 100 coloured lamps, and the effect yas much enhanced by the beautiful greenery. On the meat companies’ arch 350 orange and red electric lights were utilised.

Messrs Strange and Co.’s premises perhaps came second only to t'hei Cathedral in decorative effect, their warehouse in High Street being a dazzling blaze of light. “Christchurch Rejoices,” “God Save the King,” appeared in large, white, electric Letters. The letters “E.R.,” “G.M.,” an anchor a.id crown were also shown, but tbs piece de resistance was two- large flags, picked out in colours, and appearing to wave in the wind. • Altogether, over one thousand lights were used, and the effect was magnificent. Messrs' A. J. White and Co.’s premises at the corner of High .and Tuam Streets made a brilliant spectacle. An electric line of red, white and blue lights bordered the top of the main building and descended in festoons to the ends of the two side buildings. A number of transparencies were exhibited, one representing “ Time pleading for peace for the- new century.” Another transparency was entitled. “Welcome to Our Sailor Prince,” and others represented Peace, Progress. Agriculture, Pasture and Happiness and Prosperity. Th* general effect was very pretty, Messrs Ashby, Bergh and Cc.’s premises had the outline of the ( tall building decorated with electric lamps, with a crown and “ E.R.” device. On the front of the Empire Hotel there were three arches in coloured incandescent electric lights, and the main entrance was sin-.il.vdy ' treated. Over Mr J. Clegg's premises in Lower High Street was a transparency, representing the Duke and Duchess. Fairy lamps were displayed, and a crown, “E.R.” and Prince of Wales’s feathers. A transparency, representing -a kneeling Maori maiden and the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York was shewn oyer the White Hart Hotel. Messrs E- Reece and Sons’ Colombo Street premises were illuminated with the

device “ Loyal and United,” In electric lights, and one of the prettiest transparencies in the city, representing the rose, shamrock -and thistle, in green -and tints. A representation of the Royal arms was also shown, with the letters' “ E.A.” in gold and white on one side, and “M.G.” on the other, also in gold and white. Alessrs Mason, Strothers .and Go’s premises were illuminated by a largo transparency, the design being an anchor, with a hemisphere on- either side, and the mottoes “ United We Stand ” “ Greetings to Our Royal- Visitors.” The word “Welcome,” in fairy lights, appeared over Air W. E. Sorrell’s photograpliic studio. At _ the Hereford Hotel there was an- eight-pointed star in gas on the corner, flanked by “E.R.” in largo letters. On Messrs Toneydiffe and Carey’s warehouse wero several very effective transparencies and rows of coloured lights. On the Market Hotel front a large transparency showed views of Christchurch in modern days and Christchurch fifty years ago. The- Alasonio Hotel was illuminated with a unique design in gas, representing a map of New Zealand, in- the upper left-hand corner of the frame was the head of a. Maori-_chief, with, the greeting “ Tenakoe,” while in the lower right-hand comer was a. fine Masonic emblem A The letters “E.R.,” in gas. were displayed over Messrs Cook and Ross’s premises. At Alessrs T. Armstrong and Co.’s shop front there was a laurel wreath in gas, enclosing the letters “E.R.,” surmounted bv a crown. Above the Victoria Cycle Works was a large star', two .w'ere'in front of the upper portion of the building, and -on-e was in front of the verandah. Over Alessrs T. Gapes and Co.’s premises there was -a large transparency of tho Royal arms. Alessrs J. Ballantyne and Co.’s long frontage was brilliantly decorated with lights forming a dazzling array. , Throe festoon borders ran the length Of the buildings, 140 lamps in each. The words “ Haercmai! Ake! ake!” were shown in 4ft letters, with the Prince of Wh-les’s feather's as a centrepiece, all in gold and white electric globes. A crown, “E.R.” and a star were conspicuous, and also a “V.R.” in a violet wreath and anchor. Over 900 lamps were required and tho building was ono of the chief features of the evening.

The large frontage of the Ivaiapoi Woollen Company’s buildings were illuminated with,’gas; including three largo incandes-cent-‘globe lamps. A tastefully arranged device consisted of a large eight-pointed star with the letter “E” in a circle, and on either side was the motto “A United Empire.” The windows had four transparencies, two representing tho Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, and two the King and Queen. The company’s other building had the windows outlined in coloured fairy lamp?. A brilliant pyrotechnic display was maintained on the roof of the first building for some considerable time. The D.I C. premises showed l a transparency of the t)uke of York and another of the Duchess, with the words “ W© greet you ” in gold globes, the whole being draped in coloured materials. On the top of the building were groups of red and white globes. Burke’s Tattersall’s Hotel bore the device in green electric lamps, “Oead Mile Failfce,” and crown also in electric lights. The green motto had a very pretty effect, and was generally admired. Festoons were also shown. The “Press” Office shewed three rows of gas jets the whole length'of the building, and the letters “ E.R.” in gold electric globes. A transparency of the Duke and Duchess was also exhibited. The A 1 Hotel showed a shamrock, rose and thistle in a circle, gas being the illuminant. In Hereford Street west festoons of red, white and blue lanterns were hung across the street, the work having been done by the Bed, White and Blue., Brigade. The devices at the Bank of New Zealand were in gas, and On an extensive scale. They consisted of a large crown in jets on the south gable, with the motto “ King and Emperor ” following the outline of the gable. Over the National Mortgage and Agency Company’s buildings 1 were a gas device of the houseflag of the White Star and Shaw, Savill Companies, with crossed staffs and the letters “ E.R.” At the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company’s offices there was an immense ten-pointed star in gas, with tho letters “E.R.” in the centre. The whole of the front of the South British Insurance- Company’s buildings was outlined in gas, and l the railings in the turret were similarly treated. On , the front of the Union Bank was the legend in large letters in gas “ Our Gracious .King; God Bless Him,” with a clown surmounted by a laurel wreath. The New Zealand Shipping Company’s offices exhibited in gas jets a device consisting of the Union Jack and the houso-Jh g of the fleet with crossed staffs, the cross so formed having the letters “ E.R.1.” and a Royal crown placed in the divisions. On the buildings of the National Insurance Company were a shield and lion rampant, with the letters “E.R.” in tho upper corners. The tenants of Gravenor Buildings had a very fine device in gas, comprising the head of Britannia, surmounting the motto, “ Rule Britannia,” and flanked by “E.R.” in laf'ge letters, and there was also a monogram, “Y. and 0.,” with a ducal coronet. The New Zealand Insurance Company’s Buildings bad a gas device representing the rose, shanpock and thistle. At the Shades Hotel there were two large eight-pointed stars in gas, divided by “E.R.” The National Bank had a gas crown with “E. and R.” on either side. The , Bank of New South Wales had a large- laurel wreath in gas, tied at the bottom with a true lover’s knot, with “ E.R.” in the centre, and surmounted by a crown. The Caledonian Society displayed a Scottish crown in gas. On the Norwich Union Assurance offices there was an “E.R.,” a crown and star in gas. At the Alliance Assurance Company’s premises was a large transparency representing the motto, “ The Nations’ Offerings Show the Nations’ Love.” Over Messrs Baker Bros.’ offices was the shamrock, rose and thistle device in gas. At the Canterbury Hall the word “ Welcome,” in three-feet letters, was exhibited, comprising 100 electric lamps. The inside halls and corridors were also illuminated. The Union Steamship Company’s offices were illuminated with gas, and had a very appropriate device, consisting of a large anchor, .surmounted by the company's house flag, and with the letters “ E.R.’ so formed as to represent a coiled rope. Over Messrs Pitcaithly and Co.’s offices was a ' large United States flag in coloured electric globes. By a mechanical device the flag occasionally appeared to wave gently. •A large decorated l screen had been erected over Messrs Weeks and Co.’s verandah, and on this a number of interesting views were shown during the evening, chiefly of patriotic -subjects. A transparency in front of the Queen’s .Hotel represented “ Our Beys at Work,” a scene of warfare in South Africa. Messrs Hubbard, Hall and ' Co.’s electric illumination- consisted of a crown with a border of lamps. A transparency shown up by electric light, and setting forth the words, “ Welcome Greatlugs to Our Future King,” decorated the front of Messrs Milner and Thompson’s premises. At the Shamrock Hotel there was a gas design representing a large star, with a shamrock leaf centrepiece, the letters “ E.R." and the device, “ Advance Canterbury.” A transparency with the motto, “ Zcatandia Welcomes Her Royal Guests,” was shown over Messrs G. Taylcr and Co.'s premises. On the “ Lyttelton Times office was the word “Welcome” in threefeet letters of clear electric globes, while the parapet was festooned witn various coloured lamps, and over the main door Was a crown in the proper colours. Altogether, the designs required 250 lamps The Rink Stables had a six-pointed-diamond in gas, surrounded by a laurel wreath, and surmounted by a crown. The front of the Gas Company's premises presented a gay appearance, the arches of the windows being outlined, while the pillars were ornamented with festoons of gas, andi the string courses were similarly treated, the- whole being- surmounted by -oj crown. Running the whole length of- Messrs

Pyne and Co.’s new buildings in Cashel Street was the legend in gas, “ God Save the King.” Messrs Wood Bros.’ building was illuminated with a crown and “ E.R. in electric globes. Messrs G. G. Stead and Co. bad the front of their buildings illuminated with gas. The centrepiece was a large shield with the Royal _ monogram neatly worked in, the whole being encircled by a laurel wreath, crossed by ai ribbon bearing the motto, “Duke C. and Y.,” and below was tho word “ Welcome ” in- large letters. The Bank of Australasia showed a crown and “E.R.,” with festoon borders in red and orange electric lights. Alessrs Haffensteiu Bros.’ exhibited an anchor in a circle of coloured electric lamps, with a crown surmounting, and a festoon border. Alessrs Beath and Co. had' the letters “ E.R.” in blue lights and representations of the Union Jack and Southern Cross. The Prince of Wales’s feathers were shown over the Rotherfield Hotel. A transparency of the King and Queen was shown in front of Messrs B. Button and Co.’s premises. The Zetland Aims Hotel displayed three transparencies representing the Ophir with the words “ Our Sailor Prince,” two flags, the letters “ E.R.” and the device “Haercmai.”

Alessrs Sargo-od, Son and Eweris buildings in Lichfield Street were brilliantly illuminated forming one of the features of the evening’s display. “ Welcome to our Royal Visitors ” appeared in '3ft letters in clear and coloured electric globes, with festoon borders from the highest point of the building, 550 lamps being utilised. On Alessrs Ross and Glendining’s buildings was a large crown, centrepiece with a shield and anchor on either side, two rows of coloured lamps running the whole width of the building. This building made a very fine display. Messrs Butterworfch Bros, showed a large crown and festoon borders in electric lamps. Alessrs D. Benjamin- and Co.’s premises were illuminated by a crown in electric globes. On the premises of Alessrs Tyree and Co. was a neat device in gas, representing the letter “E ” in a rising sun. Messrs W. Chrystall and Co. showed an anchor in two colours in electric globes. Over 7000 electric lamps were utilised in the decorations in tho city. In addition to the illuminations which have been described many shops were made ,gay with fairy lamps and Chinese lanterns.