The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-04-12 00:00:00

THE AQUARIUM AND ASSE )IBL
AT THE A .TON LOWER GROUNDS.

INSP v,CTiON OF Nil: NEV B 1 ILDINGS.

On Saturday alt einoti a num her r presentatives
of local journals accepted v•e IflvJta oa, ot the As...al
Lower Urounds C mpaoy to irsi.eet the new As-
sembly Rum and Aquarium pri r to the opening of
the former • Luncheon oaa provided at the Hotel,
Mr. J. T. Bragg (chaiman of the Company) pre-
siding, with Mr. H. 0, Quißer (maraging director)
in the vice-chair. After luncheon the comp ny ad-
journed to the old Assembly Rooni at .the Hotel,
where Mr. S. Riekt's newly-organised band per-
formed a musical selection. One of the wisest
s rokei of policy to which the company are corn-
mittei is the determination to have a band of their
own, and not, as formally, a hired one. Mr. Ricks,
wt;o for many years has been bandmaster of the 19th
(Princess of Wale's) Regiment, has succeeded in or-
ganising a truly splendisi band of thirty-three per-
reers There are stringed instruments to the
number of eighteen, namely, six first violins, four
second vi lies two violas, three violoncellos, and
three double basses. The wind instruments include
a flute, a piccolo, an oboe, two clarionets, two horns,
two cornets, a bassom, two trombones, and an
euphonium, in addition to which may be mentioned
the tympani and other instruments of percussion.
Thus a good body of tone in the string department
is secured, and the bless is kept in due subjection,
and their grand instrumentation on Saturday
afternoon was a most aoteworthy feature in the pro-
ceedings. A selectim from Faust was played with
particular brilliancy, and at the close Mr. Ricks was
warmly congratulated on the success he has so
speedily achieved. The musical portion of the pro-
gramme having termarated, the party was conducted
to the Aquarium, Mt. Naden, the architect, acting
as cicerone, and giving an ample description of the
great building.
This week nag bn opened the Grand Assembly
Room, one of the many attractions of this gigantic
undertaking, promenade instrumental concerts on
Wednesday arid Thursday, and on Good 'Friday the
'oratorio of the Messiah" was rendered by a power-
ful east of artistes. The splended new assembly
room which is fitted up for theatrical,and equestrian
performances, masieal entertainments, exhibitions
of art and science, and also for botanical and floricul
tural displays; isone of a group of buildings recent:y
erected in the far famed As. on Lower Grounds a..
long a favourite resort for the inhabitants of, ano
visitors to the Midland Counties.

This room the largest of the kind out of London
will seat 4,000 persons. and is with the stage 220fi.
in length, and over 87ft. in width. Galleries run
round two sides and one end, at the other end is an
extensive stage and orchestra with a grand pro-
scenium, and all the accessories for dramatic repre-
sentations. M.iisive iron columns with ornamental
shafts and bases of floriatal caps are ranged on
either side, and iron arched and effectively designed
principals span the room from column to column,
whilst massive ribs of timber form arches between
each pair of the iron columns. The dormer windows
in the roof and long lines of circular lights 140 in
oumber, and the whole of the windows on the
round floor and in galleries, together with the
large circles in the gable next the winter garden, are
fitted with sparking glass lights in varied colours.
:the building has been recently decorated, a grand
:ffect has been produced. and the harmony of
architectural form, with its accessories of gold and
olour has produced the finest room for exhibitions
.tv of London.' '--