TO-DAY’S GREAT EVENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1008, 22 June 1911, Page 3

TO-DAY’S GREAT EVENT.

PREPARATIONS IN LONDON. London, June 20. Decorations and illuminations in preparation for the Coronation are being completed. Many banks, insurance companies and clubs are spending each. The Westminster City Council is spending in the decoration of White Hall, including the transplanting of an electric standard in order not to obstruct the procession. Whitehall is being decorated with columns 35 feet high surmounted by white lions carrying a portcullis and griffins and winged “victories” carrying shields of British Kings.

Near the New Zealand arch the province of Ontario has erected handsome pylons showing a farmer shearing sheep, and the word 'prosperity,” with a horn of plenty.

Fleet street is decorated with wreathed masts carrying festoons of ever-greens with alternate lions and unicorns.

The newspaper offices in particular are elaborate in their decorations and illuminations.

St. Paul’s Churchyard is decorated with the shields and banners of the patron saints of the United Kingdom and the city. Huge flower bells are hung in Cheapside, recalling the Bow Bells.

The Bank of England is outlining its columns, roof, and architectural lines with five thousand lamps. Mansion House is similarly outlined with amber and green lights. Mansion House Square is decorated with Corinthian columns bearing griffins. The business houses in the city are decorated with crystal crowns and Royal monographs, some costing ,£2OO each. There is a beautiful laburnum colour scheme in King William Street, leading to London Bridge, where an elaborate scheme of lattice pilasters is connected by festoons of ptrple wisteria.

THE NAVAL REVIEW

London, June 19. Austrian, Argentine, Danish Dutch, Spanish, and Chinese battleships have arrived at Spithead, in view of the great naval review on Saturday. FOREIGN ENVOYS. London, June 19. The colonial delegates to the Imperial Conference are now the guests of thejiSovereign, and are attended by the Royal footmen. The Royal carriages have been placed at their disposal. Fifty-eight countries will be represeated at the Coronation of King George on Thursday, the majority by special envoys. Out of eighty members of the chief foreign delegations, fifty belong to Royal houses,

SYDNEY PROGRAMMES. Sydney, June 20. Preparations tor the Coronation illuminations and decorations are being pusned fevervishly forward. Many private firms will join the State Government and City Council in extensive illuminations. A feature will be the non-illumi-nation of the Federal Buildings. The only Commonwealth illuminations will be at Melbourne Parliament House. For the Coronation, St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral will ring a full peal, necessitating 5040 changes, which wili occupy three and aha If hours.