Brilliant Scene

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 99, 13 May 1937, Page 6

Brilliant Scene

-Pres» A«»ru-

STREET EFFECTS Citizens' Spontaneous Tribute IMPRESSIVE DISPLAYS

(By Teleeraph-

-Copy right.)

LONDON, May 11. London has never looked gayer, has never spent more lavishly to demonstrate that the Englishman's traditional reserve and undemonstrativehess are a husk of their ardent devotion to the new King and gracious Queen and two natural, unspoiled princesses. It is a genuine and spontaneous tribute \ to the untutored and imregimeuted, and indeed an ohject lesson to foreignisms which batten on mass psychology. Central London had done just what it would be^expected to — decked itself magnificently. But what of that Loudon of more humble mien across thc Thames, out north and in the East End? There, indeed, does one derive. real appreciation of the spontaneity. It is simply bewildering what the.se folk have achieved at their own. expense, perhaps otherwise, for in one gaily transformed tenement area in Southwark there is the naive acknowledgement "Our landlord is a reaily good sort. We have spent his rent to decorate this court." But most of the bunting, streamers, festoons and pictures which adorn the drab -alleys in the crowded tenement areas and the refreshing contrast of the courtyards of modern muni-cipal flats, reaily does represent a sacrifice, because for months these people have been settin'g by a few pence a week in a common pool to ensure that nobody's' house and no street shall lack a touch of colour. Miles of Ornamentation. The best impressiou of the seemingly unending miles of official ornamentation is gained from the fountainhead — from the Victoria Memorial, opposite Buckingham Palace. Down the Mall it is an unbroken double line of stands covered in red, white and blue. Tall white masts with narrow cross trees carry dainty pennons of gold ropes'and' tassels which give a touch of splendour. The masts, with pennons filling in the hreeze, suggest an argosy effect, beautifully heightened by* the spring tracery of the flanking trees which are jnst unfolding their tender foldage.. Down this glorious avenue Their Majesties will .hegin their triumphal drive. At the terminal of this fairy swathe is the Admiralty arch with . a huge crown spaced with white ensigns impressive as "dressing ship." The Cenotaph stands in all its.simple beauty. It was recently cleansed and adorned .by a group of new flags, dozens of wreaths forming an unbroken base. Whitehall, as the gateway to the Abbey, is specially equipped with tall masts with long white, gold-tipped pen. nants beafing the royal arais and the I Gity's own coat of arms. Four and a hal£ miles of Westminster 's streets are erabellished for this and other ceremonies associated with the Coronation during the next few days. Unforgettable Scene. Nowhere else in the world could there be such a background as St. Stephens and the Abbey. It will be a scene of one of the most remarkable ovations, because here will be people whose habit of life excludes effusiveness ; yet they will ring to their Majesties with breath-takingfervour. One outstanding improvisation for the Coronation is a temporary annexe at the Abbey through which the.ir Majesties will enter the sanctuary. It has Nnot been an easy task to devise something not incongruous with the historic pile behind, yet Mr. James West has achieved something beautiful in single-storied ueoGothic ecelesiastic architeeture with medallions ranging over the whole Empire studding its coping. The first stretch of the return route will give the packed assemblage including many New Zealanders and Australians an excellent view of the pageant from the windows of the Royal Empire Society 's ne.w buildings Here is the first intdroduetion to miles of ornamcntal poles, each with its gilt crown, and red, and white ribbon streamers failing to head-level. A Gay Show. A gay show was made by the shipping companies in Cockspur street, " where the Orient and P. and O. -Lines will adequately proclaim the importance of the southern Dominions. Regent Street, a street of tall buildings with graceful curves, "says it with flowers, ' ' to which i? added a new pattern in masts — a regal emblem, not unlike a lantern, beneath a delicate red crown. Oxford street runs the whole gamut of colour. Great department stores flanking the north side have excelled themselves. is entirely picked out in tiny electric lights, while another traces the history of England 's monarchy in immense canvasses but as usual, nothing approaches the dazzling display of Selfridges', on which £25,000 has been spent. There are 21 large sculptured silvered has-reliefs along the stores' frontage, each giving a vignette of some episode in tho nation 's life and rule from 1700 B.C. to 1918 A.D., with due regard to heroic Imperial incidents in arms in the Great War. Each corner of this great building is offset by a colossal gildad group of statuary in plaster, with India and Canada honoured at the frontal corners, while in the rear terminal groups, Australia 's resources are effectively given prominence and New Zealand 's

primary production and her unique fanna have excellent represehtation. Above the main entrance is a massive cast tableau, 58 feet by 38 feet, depicting the Empire 's homage to the Throne, in the centre of which is an admirable likeness of the King and Queen, surrounded by figures typifymg the peoples of the realm, and, towering above the skyline of the building is a stupendous Angel of Peace. Beautiful Scene Onwards through Hyde Park and down Constitution Hill, the decorative scheme of the Mall is beautifully re* peated. Such in outline is the picture their Majesties will see from the time they leave till they return to tho Palace. On other days of the Coronation fortnight they will see no less worthy tributes in other great London streets. For instance, all the Dominion Houses do honour to the occasion with displays of a distinctive character. New Zealand House bears a crown and royal symbols between two large green oblong tikis.