FLOOD-LIGHTED TOWN HALL

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 94, 15 January 1935, Page 8

FLOOD-LIGHTED TOWN HALL

Successful Experiment PERMANENT SCHEME POSSIBLE The flood-lighting of the Wellington Town Hall in connection with the visit of the Duke of Gloucester and right through the holidays proved so successful, and added, such dignity and radiance to the municipal centre, that it may lead to certain improvements in the permanent lighting of that part of the city. The flood lights, which did such good service during the past month,, have now been removed. That was not because the lighting authorities thought they should be removed now that the shouting and tumult have died down, but for the simple reason that most of them were borrowed from outside, and had to be returned with Wellington’s grateful thanks. • Still the effect of 1 training fourteen high-powered lights on to the cream-toned face of the Town Hall has been such that the cutting out of these lights altogether has accentuated the gloom in that neighbourhood after dark. For that reason a proposal has already been made to have a permanent installation of flood lights made on three sides of the Town Hall —Cuba Street, Wakefield Street, and "Mercer Street. This may not mean that these lights will be turned on every evening, but they will be available when any function or entertainment is being held at the Town Hall. Such flood-lighting is almost bound to create a new standard of night lighting in Wellington. Such is til® stimulating effect of light, that many retailers elect to illuminate the windows of their premises at night time when the shops are closed, as they know perfectly well that light attracts people. By the same principle people are attracted to flood-lighted areas. The coloured streamers of electric lights have been dismantled in the city streets, but the fairy-like festoons of lights in Oriental Bay have been so greatly admired that they are to be left in position over the Anniversary Day holidays. ____________