LONDON RADIANT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22725, 11 May 1937, Page 13

LONDON RADIANT

STREETS TRANSFORMED LONG PROCESSIONAL ROUTE FRUIT OF SIX MONTHS' WORK [from our own correspondent] LONDON, April 24 A "maypole" at Charing Cross and a gateway of triumph at the foot of Whitehall, through which the King and Queen will pass to their crowning are two of the outstanding features in the scheme of decoration which will transform the streets of London, as they have never before been transformed, for the Coronation season. Mr. Grey Wornuni is the architect whose task it is to "dress" London's principal highways for the occasion. For six months ho and his staff have been preparing, designing, drawing andadvising, for Mr. Wornum is responsible for practically the whole of the processional route, and many other streets in central London. Never Before Equalled

The decorative "constituency" includes four miles of streets in the City of Westminster, which are costing £23,000 to "dress"; all Oxford Street as far as Tottenham Court Road; the Strand as far as Temple Bar; and the Victoria Embankment to Temple Station. At the terminal points, the City of London and other appropriate authorities will continue the schemes. The route through the Park and along the Mall is under the care of the Oflico of Works.

Sir Giles Scott, for the City of London, Sir James West, Office of Works, and Mr. Wornum have worked together unceasingly as an unofficial committee to secure colour schemes of harmony, to pool ideas, and to devise ways and means of overcoming obstacles born of modernity, such as the "obstruction" caused to their plans by traffic lights. Mr. Wornum is satisfied that the world will see London set in a radiance which has never previously been equalled. There will be poles 70 feet apart all along the route, decorated with crowns and lantern devices, but there will be no garlands. For the first time, many of the central lamp-post islands will also have their schemes, though a large number have had to bo omitted owing to traffic lights. Floodlights and Flowers

At the foot of Whitehall there will be a "gateway" provided by two great 60 feet masts carrying a large streamer, and with banners surmounted on crosstrees. This will form an important entrv from Whitehall into Parliament Square. At Charing Cross the main feature will be the treatment of the Charles the First statue, which will be surrounded by masts carrying banners, and giving a maypole effect. The statue will be encased to some height, and will also have a living bodyguard. Much of the decoration will be floodlit. The main route is nearly all gaslit, and this is being utilised in an open torch manner for the general illuminations. As regards the stands for spectators, no uniform colour scheme is being used, but the variations have been selected so as to enhance the whole decorative effect, and will, incidentally, assist seat-holders the more readily to* find their places. "1 have pleaded for the use of flowers wherever possible," Mr. Wornum said, "and the floral aspect of the entire scheme will be very pronounced." Already thousands of window boxes are being prepared for many parts of the route. WAIKATO HOSPITAL GIFTS TO PATIENTS [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON, Monday Presents which are to include a case of oranges will be made to inmates of the Waikato Hospital by the Hamilton Sunshine League in celebration of the Coronation. A concert will also be arranged.