THE ILLUMINATIONS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18408, 14 May 1920, Page 7

THE ILLUMINATIONS.

A BRILLIANT SPECTACLE. The decorations and illuminations in the city combined to make up a spectacle of great brilliance. In Cathedral Square myriads of electrio lights turned night into day, and the sceno was one which will live long in the memory of those who witnessed it. No effort had been snared to make a lavish display of colour "oil the Post Office and the Government buildings, and the result must have exceeded the expectations of those responsible for the illuminations. The Post Office presented a brilliant spectacle, tho whole building being lined with high-powered lights. The tower was surmounted with a star, and the clock encircled with a ring of bulbs. Prominent among the decorative effects were the .letters G.R.,,tho Prince of Wales’ feathers, a brilliant crown and a largo coloured star. In addition to the lighting effects, festoons of bunting and evergreens bedecked the building. Tho Square frontage of the Government buildin|s was a blazo of manycoloured lights, surmounted by a crown, G.R., and tho word “Welcome” in high-powered lights. A New Zealand ensign played a prominent part in the lighting scheme, rotating shades giving the effect of a flag fluttering in tho breeze. The Prince of Wales’ feathers, in transparencies, added to the general effect. Both the Square and Worcester Street frontages were gay with tricolour bunting and evergreens. The tramway shelter made a very imposing sight, trees and shrubs decorating the roof, and a. floral design, with the words, “Our Outpost of Empire Welcomes the King’s Son, beautifully picked out in chrysanthemums. At the rear of, tho shelter floodlights expressed the city’s welcome to its future A particularly brilliant spectacle was afforded bv the two triumphal nrches in front of the Cathedral, the man>coloured lights giving an exceedingly gay effect. „ _ The “ Lyttelton Times ” office was dne of the most effective of the city electrical displays. Inside a largo square of coloured lights were a ship s steering wheel in blue and white, and iti hi”h-voltuge lights tho word “ Renown.” The “ Press ” office also had a fine illuminated display. Under a laro-o coloured star was a St George shield, tho Princo of Wales’s feathers and an illuminated crescent with the words “God Bless the Prince of Wales.” \t the railway there was a lavish display of bunting, evergreens and illu initiated‘‘emblems, including the Prince of Wales’s feathers with tho motto “ leh Dien.” Two arches ma«o an imposing display at the right of the station entrance and the railway bridge at the foot of Manchester Stret had been transformed into a veritable fairylalrho ICaiapoi Woollen Company made a fine disolnv on its building in Manchester Street. The frontage was decorated with multi-coloured lights, illuminated Prince of Wales's feathers and drapings of coloured muslin. On tho southern wall a brilliant sign displayed the greeting, “The Kaiapoi Woollen Company extends a Royal welcome to the Empire’s future King.” The Clock Toiver made another striking spectacle, being outlined in coloured lights of a high voltage. . Tlio City Council Chambers were also lined with high-powered coloured lights, making a striking and effective display. The arches in Armagh Street and at the Cashel Street entrance to the Barracks were brilliantly lit with coloured lights, presenting a pleasing and dignified effect

Messrs Pyne, Gould. Guinness made an imposing display with an illuminated

crown set in ferns, three coloured stars and the word “Welcome.” 0 The Harbour Beard offices, the Federal Club and Messrs Fletcher, Humphreys and Co. and Broadway’s also had brilliant electric lighting effects. t Many of the business premises in tho city, also the old Government Buildings and the Public Trust Office are draped with bunting and tri-coloured ribbons, tho effect being highly pleasing.

In addition to the special lighting displays the main streets of the city presented a striking appearance, strings of coloured electric lights alternating with festoons of small flags. Outstanding among the lighting effects carried out by private businoss firms in honour of tho visit of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales is tho brilliant and unique display being made by Messrs Turnbull and Jones at their promises at the corner of Cashel Street and Cambridge Terraco. The remarkably him display made by this enterprising firm on the occasion of tho visit of Viscount Jellicoe will he remembered by all those who saw it, hut the display being made by the firm on the occasion of the visit of tho Princo of Wales is even better, and is well worth a visit of inspection. Tho wholo of the Cashel Street frontage of the firm’s premises has been transformed, a large Union Jack in highvoltage lights surmounting an emblematical representation of “The Empire on which the Sun Never Sets.” A largo revolving globe, depicting the world in space, is the centre-picco of the display. On one side lighting effects depict the gradual rising of the sun until one half of the globe is enveloped in the full glare of the midday sun. This give?, place gradually to sunset and darkness, the sun then rising on the other half of the globe and depicting the various phases of the day. Artistic cirapings give a realistic cloud effect, the whole display combining to up an effect of extreme beauty, "and affording an excellent illustration of what can be done bv the artistic application of lighting effects. 1 AN IMPARTIAL TRIBUTE. Overseas Pressmen who arrived with tho Royal party were vory much impressed with the welcome that Christolrnroh gave its Royal guest. One of the visitors stated that the illuminations compared very favourably - with anything that hnd been seen up to date. The two white arches were unique in their shading, and quite different from anything seen elsewhere. They stood out harmoniously and artistically, while tho public buildings were admirably illuminated. The city had put all its citizens into tho streets, and the result was most impressive.