SYDNEY ILLUMINATIONS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9320, 21 August 1908, Page 1

SYDNEY ILLUMINATIONS.

SYDNEY, August 20. The city to-night is brilliantly illuminated. Wiih both American and British vessels glowing with myriad jftmps, thft harbour presents a wonderfully beautifuT scene. Although the feity illuminations do not reach in e.xlent the efforts put forth at Commonwealth time, still what has been done jhas been well done The most imposing decorative effect js that of an immense statue of Liberty, after Berfcholdi, in front of the " Daily Telegraph" office. The bronze statue rises , from the pavement to a height of some 80ft, flanked on either hand with the American flag and th^ Union Jack, worked with electric lamps. The Town Hall is beautiful in its simplicity, the architectural outlines of the structure being lined with electric lamps. The Post Office presents a moat/ striking effect. The huge building is one sparkling mass of lights. The Custom House is •urmounted with the Mayflower and the inscription "To Our Kinsmen of the Mayflower," while at Admiralty JEouse, on the water front, the Ameriten coat-of-axxns in heroic size, and delineated in coloured lamps, casts its radiance across the bay. Martin Place, to which the Post Office stands, is beautifully festooned with streamers in art phades suspended from Corinthian pillars surmounted by the American eagle. Along Macquarie Street festoons of greenery cross and re-cross the street, converting it into ,a long archway of green. At the entrance of the archway •tand two massive pillars. That on the right is surmounted by a golden •agle, and on the shaft of the column ►re inscribed in gold the names of the American vessels. The column on the left beaxs a gold lion, while the inscriptions display the names of all the admirals who have held commands on the Australian station. All the public buildings are gorgeously illuminated,bearing devices of a suitable character. The streets are crowded with sightseers, bands of music playing American and English airs at various points. Few of the men of the fleet are ashore to-night, as the. real entertain-^ laent does not commence till to-morrow.

1 A STATE DINNER. SYDNEY, August 20. The Governor-General entertained at Binner the Admirals of the American I fleet, Admiral Poore, Mr Deakin, the Federal Ministers, the State Ministers. Privy Councillore and Victorian and Queensland Minsters. The dinner was , * brilliant function.