THE DECORATIONS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1161, 23 June 1911, Page 7

THE DECORATIONS.

' BY DAY AND NIGHT, BRILLIANT SCENES IN THE STREETS. Flags were ilown yesterday on all sorts of buildings in every part of the city and suburbs, but the finest displays were those arranged and carried out by the Public Works Department on the various buildings belonging to the Government, and among these the most efiective ot all was that of the big wooden-building on Lambton Quay. The whole front ot this was decoratively treated, thf centra features being portraits of the King and Queen, while national emblems were displayed ou the wings. Masts and festoons in 'the front gave depth and vnriety to the whole, and loyal mottoes overhead expressed the meaning of it all. Ihe lost Office was elaborately and successfully decorated and the same may be said of th 6 official quarters of most of the State Departments. Tho loyalty of the City Corporation found expression in a display of bunting on the Town Hall, including some very effective lines of flags extending from the lofty tower to the parapet of the main building. Among the business houses of the city there were a few handsome displays, and there were loyal ■emblems in many of the windows, but the effort was far from general. The weather during the first part of the week had certainly not been favourable to decoration, but it was satisfactory to note that what had been done did not appear to have suffered greatly from the rain and wind.

Despite the wet weal her of, the evening the streets were crowded, ami the illuminations were greatly admired. The rain had turned the thoroughfares into mirrors, where every lamp was reflected ns a gleaming lino, so that the broad wi-t surface* ■ ivefe like carpets ot manycolonred light. This may hive alrord-d much pleasure to the artistic eye, but the man in the street—nod still more the woman and child—would have decidedly preferred dry walking. The big Departmental Building, by niihl as l\v <|nv. was the grandest show-piece, hut the Government. Printiii" Office. close by, n-:i<= aUo gorgeous in its side perpendicular -tripes of red, while, ami blue electric lamp?. The t6\ver of the .PnrliiUrioiitnrr Building gleamed effectively above the. surrounding foliaw. and there were also ai'tistio illnmi>—?ion* on the Public TrnM. Office ft ml t'oe Gftvornnwil T.ife Insura.nce Oflice- _ Thr- -nlendid illuming(ions of the R-ulway Building and Mid Post Office were, especially memorable. In both' instancps the architectural linewere traced in electric, lamp*. The I'o«t Office, in particular, which remained lit lout after the oHier buildings were in darbie??, looked like i>. fairy ami if? clock tower was visible as a. blare r.f light itoA distant carts of tho city.

The motto. "Long Liv<! the Kins,' in while lights, ran alone the parapet. J>low, a crown, beautifully worker! out in i'Pproprialcl.v-cobuiT'.l lumps, was lh'.> central feature. Below that asrnin camo the letters "(.i.1i. ,, and ".M.1!." in golden rcsc-colouio.j lislit?. As nn indication of tin , labour find experience involved in ilisnlavs of thU kind, it may bn mention* dthnt the electrical apparatus in us? at the (lovernnient. .Buildings filled half (he mtwengors , room, and tho electricians and filters were Ijii.-.v Ilioro until the last moment, 'tho success of their effort? reflects grcal credit, upon'l hem.

fcio far as private enterprise was concerned, lh« decorations nnd illiimiiintims of die Union Steam Ship (.V>.. Ud., <'«''■ Kowldl. Lid., the union Clothing 0.. Ltd., Economic, and To Arn llcu.=p wra commendable, .Hid many either buildings were brightly lit ;il. night. The lr.iirtw.iys had ii very busy ilny. thi> cars being heavily .londel si all hour.?, and especially in the morning and evening. The siibnrbnu (rain? brought many visitors into (own.

THE MILITARY TATOO. STOPPED BY THE AYEA TITER. To the intense disappointment, of those ■who for feveral weeks past, have been 'working hard to make the military l.itoo at Athletic Park on Coronation Night a complete, success, a southerly .came up about a i/unrter of an hour before the time appointed for Ihe torchlghl procession to start from the Government Buildings on its march thi'oug lithe city to the Park. By seven o'clock rain was falling heavily, and had most unmistakeably came, to stay. The whole route of tho procession was thronged with sightseers, who were keenly interested in what was to be a unique, demonstration, fo far as Xew Zealand is concerned, and their disappointment on learning that tho displa.y was to b« postponed was very keen indeed. Under the circumstances and considering the nature of the intended display, the decision to postpone the «v«nt till Saturday evening was a very wi«> one. Despite the threatening aspect of the weather over fix hundred people, had assembled at Athletic Park over an hour before, the appointed time. II is aniK'imced that all tickets purchased tor last evening's display will liold good for Saturday evening, and, should thA weather prove fine, the public may rest assured of a really fine display.

ON THE WATER

JtEN-OMVAI! ILLUMINATED.

Precisely at. noon the guns of his Majesty's ships Cambrian and Pioneer boomed out a Royal Salute of 41 .suns. The men-o'-war were gaily decked with bunting, and tho various merchantmen iin IKU-t also made a good display. . In the evenin? both the Cambrian- and Pioneer were brilliantly illuminated. Soon after sunset the order went forth, Illuminate the ship," and in a moment, each vessel wns a blaze, of light. Ihe waterhne, upper deck, structure, funnels, ma.<ts, and yardaniifi heius outlined with while electric lights. U was a pretty fight, ami. despite the weather, crowds of people went down the wharves to witness the spectacle. Divine service was held on board at fl.no a.m., when "Thn Hundredth Pfalm was snnjr and s-pecial prayers offered up .bv tho Rev. Rurnard I'ord.

STATE BANQUET,

OIVEX AT GOVEENMEXT HOUSE

The official celebrations of the Kins'' Coronation conclude;! last evening, whon his Kxcellency tho Governor , and Com-mnuder-in-Chief gave a State baiwineS. Thfi banquet, was held in the ballroom oi Government House, which (whilst far too small for big dances} was ideal for last evening's function. There were no speeches, thu only least honoured twins Ilial: of His Majcstv the Kin?. Til? following received invitations:— lions. Sir James Carroll, D. Buddo. Ceo. Fowld*. T. Mackenzie, -T. A. Millar, A. Xgata, E. M'Kenzie, Sir liobert Stou!, llis Gract; Aichbishop Ueilwoed, His Lordship the Bishop of AVellington (the KißKt.lter. T. H. Kprolt), the Rev. Dr. Ciibb', the Kov. H. Van Staviren, Mr. T. M. WilWrd (Mayor), Mr. John Smith (Deputy-Mayor), Mr. Jn?t.iC6 Chapman, General .Godley, Captain Wcrayss (H.M.S. Cambrian), Commander Stopford (H.il.S. Pioneer).

Eons. H. Gilmer C. .Tohnston, E. A. Loughnan,. C. JI. Luke, J. Ri»g, Dr. W. Collins, J. E, Jcnkinson, M.L.C. % Messrs. •<I ■£ 'acmpjaH '1 'V & '\l '& Luke, M.'P.'s, Messrs. Harold Beanchamp, J. C'oates, ,T. B. Harconrl. G. E. Tolhurst. Colonel Heard. Colonel BnrnelrStuart, Lieut.-Colonel Chaytor, Colonel Piirdy. Messrs. E. Fletcher, R. Lee, H. C. Tewsley, Dr. M'Gavin, Mr. .T. P. Firth, Professor T. Hunter, Rer. Father Kennedy, Messrs. C. Earie (editor The DoiiiN'iON), Gresley Lukin (editor "Eveninn, Post"), F. Kirbv (editor "New Zealand Times"), H. D. Bell, K.C., Martin Cupman, K.C.

Consular representatives: Mcrsrs. A. Hi Miles (Brazil), Dr. A. Martin (actingConsul, Chile), W. H. D. Bell (Denmark), J. M'lntosh (France), E. Foeke. (Germany), F. G. A. Dyer (Greece). R. T. Robertson (Italy).T. Young (Japan). Br. A. W. Izara (Liberia), Messrs. A. AY. Newton (Norway), A. E. Kernot (Paraguay). J. Duncan (Portugal), A. H. Turnbull <Spimi). C. Harcourt Turner (United ■States). T. H. Shah (China), H. D.' Baker (special representative U.S. America). Messrs. R, J. Collins. J. A. W. Salmon, .T. W. Poynton, Dr. Fitchett, J. P. Andreirs. L. Stowe, — Ottersun, D. Eobortson, H. Pollen, W. B. Jlontgomcrv. T. ttonayne. B. W. M'Yillcy. «*. 'C. "Kensington, W. Hudson, G. F. C. Campbell P. W. Flanagan, H. J. H. Blow. F, W. Waldogravo. 0. Hogben, Dr. Valintine, Dr. Hay. V. S. • p O p P J. Loma?, Geo Allport, T. W. Fisher. Major M'Donald, Inspector Ellison. Captain Huuper (Aniokiira), Sir E. 0. Gibbs, Bart., J. Mackay, A. T. Bottomley. W. Gordon (secretary Acting-Premier), Dr. A. M'Arthur, P. C. Corliss.

CORONATION CONCERT,

GREAT SCENE AT TOWN HALL. It was a happy thought to conclude yesterday's great occasion with a musical paean to which ths public were admitted free of charge. There lias been a good (leal said of musical reciprocity of late by Dr. Charles Harriss, of the Sheffield Choir, who hit upon a phrase which em- . bodies a certain, appeal to all lovers of souf as an clement in the sentiment of a nation. That it is so has been proved throughout the ages, as sons has ever been used as a telling medium of the expression of national and individual feeling on great occasions. Last evening's , concert s-ensed tho occasion admirably. Thanks to the advent of the Sheffield Choir, there was a chorus in training which, in quality and numbers, is a good deal superior to any in existence in this City. Last evening the Festival Auxiliary Choir, as it is called, did yeoman service. It sang "Zadok the Priest" (Handel) with/'a. tonal impressivenessand precision that is seldom achieved .in choral work here, and the "Hallelujah Chorus" (which concluded' the concert) was marked by a. spirit of exaltation and vocal fervour altogether admirable. With the great audience, which must have numbered well over 3500, the choir also song "The National Anthem." In the absence of Mr. Robert Parker, through indisposition, "Zadok tho Priest" was conducted by Mr. Laurence Wat kins and the "Hallelujah Chorus" by Mr. Horace Hunt, Mr. Maughan Baruett presiding at the organ on both occasions. The Municipal Orchestra was also ,i contributing factor to tlu> sucees-s of Iho concert. Though denuded of some of its best players (which accounled for n wcofc-n<«-s in the first violins and wood-wind?), owing to several members having proceeded to Aurkland to play in (ho Sheffield Choir Orchestra, several numbers w«re contributed acceptably. Tlip orchestra- played .Mr. Barnc'U's "Empire March." melodiously fe.=Uil in character, the prelude to Act 111 of Wagner's "Lohengrin," which had lo be repeated: »<\tt Hie splendid inarch of Sir Arthur Sullivan fr.-nn )ii< "Henry VIII" music. The orchestra w;i>- rtmducted by Mr. Manglnn Riirnetl wilh his customary rpnscicnliou.--nr-.s.

Mr. .fohn Trousf. in nolnbly Rood voice. Mills; Elpnr's "I/find of Hope and ("ilpry" with fine brpacH.li and power, nud had to rene.il- Hie last ver-.\ He :\Un «mcr

"Hearts nf Oak" with, hearting* nml vißimr. and. tor nn imperative encore, .-ans "There's :i I.nnd" in fine f-lylo. The only other soloist was. Mi.'.-M-hoAp Jinall but mell_ow and nilturetl con'raUo found fxpvpssirm in Allitfen'f "Sons of Thanksgiving" "P-wn," and Bal£?'« "Airpn; and the Song."