THE ILLUMINATIONS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12698, 21 July 1919, Page 4

THE ILLUMINATIONS.

A BRILLIANT DISPLAY. LIGHTED ARCHES THE CENTRAL FEATURE. Thanks to the national asset of hydroelectricity, Christchurch was able to illuminate on Saturday night in a manner unequalled in the history of past celebrations of any kind, and it is safe to say that the lighting of the city would have done credit to a very much larger community. Citizens had watched linesmen and wiremen working on the face of private and public buildings for a week or more, but ouly a dim foreeast, could be obtained of the ilhiinj-

f naked effect from the mere outline of unlighted lamps, and the combined, result of all the wiring and linking up was looked forward to eagerly. Nevertheless, the reality was a long way ahead of the most sanguine expectations, and the distant sight of the two big illuminated arches in Cathedral Square was a pleasant foretaste of the fairyland of lights that scintillated from every point of the compass in the big square. Inasmuch as the Anglican Cathedral is the architectural "feature of the Square, dwarfing the smaller buildings, it was a lucky chance that the spire was not actually outlined in electric lamps, ns had been suggested at oue time. This undoubtedly would have dwarfed the two triumphal arches below; but as it was, the flood-lighting of the spire, from which the British and Allied nags floated, just gave a nice balance to the general effect, leaving the lighted arches as the central feature of the illuminations. These arches were quite a. triumph of the lighting art. They had an almost ethereal softness and Colour value that made them quite unlike anything in nature. This effect was obtained by a predominance of yellow lamps, which throw a soft, light on the cold white surface of the plaster, and the occasional blue and red lamps just added a kind of opalescent effect that was altogether pleasing. The arches were the promenading centre and exercised a magnetic effect on the crowds. However the night might ireeze, the .Square with its crowded sightseers and its big softly-lighted arches was always warm and cheery. Searchlights from the various pictureshows lighted up the centre of the Square and flickered over the Cathedral £ P”’®- They , searc bed out small knots or flappers” and “fellows” and put the spot-light on them, while the groups blinked back at the powerful eye of the searchlight. It was all yory bewildering and difficult to take in. Every tenant in the Square seemed to have taken a hand ? n -?! 1 . 0 illuminations The Government buildings were outlined prettily in white lamps, and, in fact, all the Government departments seemed to have limited themselves to white lights as against the popular red, white and blue. In some cases there was a definite design and a suitable little motto, but alwavs the predominance of “Peace” and Liberty.” Balgety’s building was simply outlined in multi-coloured lamps, and the Bank of Now Zealand with tod, white und blue IruTiDR and a white “Peace” sign. The Harbour Board offices had a design resembling the Belgian colours, within pretty little white anchor suspended in the centre of a blue square. The French Consulate hdd a brilliant tricolour, surmounted by a simple white Southern Cross. The Tramway Shelter was very daintily lighted m a bright conventional design of coloured tamps that provided the setting for tin rotating globe. Hie “Lyttelton Times” "Office was lighted with coloured arches, harmonising to some extent with vtsinear neighbour, “ The Liberty.” The I ress office had a very pleasing de--SJBT which, with the Government Buildings, lighted up an otherwise quiet portion of the Square. Further afield, there were good displays in front of Pyne and Co.'s offices and the New Zealaml Rorngcrnting Company. The Bank of Australasia, had a"brilliant star, and Messrs Turnbull and Jones at the other end of Cashel Street had a brightly lighted window display in which an electrical sun flooded a globe over which a dove hovered, ihe Provincial Council Chambers had a brilliant design, and last, but not least, came the Citv Council Chambers, which were most prettily outlined in red, white and blue lamps, the architectural beauty of the building adding greatly to the"lighting effects. There were many other illuminatimis which cannot be mentioned individually, but which helped to transform the city most wonderfully. . The 'Worcester Street arch was simply flood lighted, and provided a brilliant kind of gateway to the city from the west. There was a very beautiful view from Worcester Street Westlooking under the arch, for the tramway illuminations were just visible, giving the impression of a huge luminous crown, while above the battlemented top of the arch the Cathedral and its flags were visible. The foliage arches in Armagh Street, Cashel Street, and Hereford Street were quite an .artistic success, and the Hereford Street arch, with its red, win to and blue lamps twinkling through the leaves, fitted in nicely with the colour scheme of the Bank of New Zealand. The illuminations were a pronounced success, and one’s thoughts turned gratefully to ihe engineers at the sub-station and also at the headworks sixty miles distant, whose vigil made possible so much genuine pleasure to the crowds of sightseers in the city. the bonfire. PARTIALLY OBSCURED BY MIST. The big bonfire on Sugar-loaf Peak was lit at 6-55 p.ra. on Saturday uight, and rapidly gained in strength until the flames reached 25ft in height, but owing to a fairly heavy mist which was prevailing it was hardly noticeable in the pity. A dear view" was, however, obtained outside the city, and the huge fire made a magnificent spectacle, lighting up the whole sky with a brilliant red glow, which grew bigger a s the westerly wind which was prevailing gained control of the flames. The fire was built up of trees, light box-wood, tarred paper and canvas and about a hundred old motor tyres, and over this was poured a good quantity of kerosene. At 10.30 p.m. it was "still burning brightly. Sugar-loaf Peak, on which the bonfire was lit, is 1630 ft above sealevel, and Mr H. G. Ell, M.P-, who was responsible for the arrangements, states that he believes this is the first occasion on which a bonfire has been erected on tno top of the bill. The material for the fire }md to be carried 500 ft up to the summit of the peak, this work being done by pupils from St Bede’s Collegiate School, St Andrew’s College and the Technical, Addington. Sumner and Cashmere Hills Schools, under the supervision of two returned soldiers. Another bonfire will be erected on Sugar-loaf Peak to-day, and will be lit at about seven o’clock to-night. Volunteers from the Boys’ High School and other helpers will cnrrv material ni> thU morning, and Mr, Ell"would be glad if any others who would care to help would go up to Dyer’s Pass this morning and give assistance. Another bonfire is also being erected at Cass Peak, near Kennedy’s Bush, by boys from Christ’s College, and will be lit tonight- Both fires should be clearly visible from the city if the site is dear.