The Warwickshire Herald. — 1894-05-10 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

EARL'S-COURT EXHIBITION.  On Saturday the Lord Mayor opened the Earl's court Industrial Exhibition. The buildings and gardens have been iu the hands of the board for scarcely two months, but in that period much work has been done to remodel, at a preliminary outlay of £20,000, the 23 acres of pleasure grounds which lie between Earl's-court, West Brewton, and West Kensington railway stations. Structurally the main buildings have not been altered, but :n detail a great many changes have been effected, with the object of making the resort more attractive. It is too early yet to speak of the nature of the industrial exhibits which will ill the larger part of the great hall, but every available space could (it is stated) have been let three times over. Inventions of boutt-fide working-men are admitted free. Apart from the industrial works on view, the Galleries nearest the West Brompton grand entrance are already filled with a tine art collection. The centre of the Arcade is canopied, and there will be a movable bandstand. On the left a new and decidedly successful addition has been made in the series of grottos, forming a winter garden, with a waterfall, and in each niche there is a pretty peep of mountainous and lake scenery, typical of England, France, Germany, and Italy. About two-thirds the way down the Main Gailery there is another bandstand, under a garlanded canopy, and separated by a new architectural screen frail an imposing palm garden, which has been freshly laid with grass and winding walks, and enclosed by sylvan landscapes, with a view of Windsor Castle. Illumination by Vauxhall lamps is a feature, the intention being to make this garden a resort in bad weather. In the West Garden the art of the landscape-gardener and that of the scene-painter have been combined to produce novel and pleasing effects of colour and of distance. The band kiosque remains, and so also does the Theatre, which twice a day is to furnish a variety entertainment, with a new series of tableaux *invite. Close to the theatre rises the lower tier of the huge stru tuns which is being erected by Sit William Arrol aid Co. to fonn the training of the gigantic wheel o. 300 ft. diameter, carrying cars to contain, it is said, 1,600 people at one journey. Each revolution will occupy 20 minutes. The wheel, which is larger than the one which was built at Chicago, is not to be completed until June; but siX of the eight huge girders, weighing 15 tons each, are already in position, held in place at an angle by steel pegs, which are embedded deeply in concrete blocks 18ft. in thickness. There is to be an aerial restaurant in the framework. The bridges connecting the gardens have not been altered, but everywhere are introduced illumination lamps, out lining buildings, walks, and terraces in opal, ruby, green, and gold. In the larger gardens the whole of the grass plot have been re-turfed, and the promenades have been planned afresh, to afford a greater circulating area. The floral marquee has been retained for two special exhibitions during the season. Facing the Continental esti* which have been reconstructed, and the central bandstand, which has been bung with pendants for illumination tempo, the cosy Welcome Club and lawn has been increased by the addition of a private members' dining-room, extra garden plots, and a range of alcoves. On the opposite side of the quadrangle, in the transformation of the tearooms, the scenic artist has been profitably occupied; and the panel decoration and drapemy of the Restaurant Francais have been undertaken in a Parisian spirit. As additional attractions to Earl's-court the arena will be utilised by Captain Boston for a new water show, and the chutes are being rebuilt on improved lines. On the ground formerly occupied by the Bastille a military tournament will be given.  Amon,. the suicides reported in Paris is that of a girl 15 years of age, who blew out her brains with a revolver. A youth of 14, who was detained in prison on the complaint of his parents for some trifling offence, hanged himself in his cSII during the temporary absence of his gaoler. Another suicide was only 22 years of age. Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes is described by an American paper as silver-haired and keen-eyed, despite his age. He laughs and chats with animation, and his flashes of repartee are as frequent and brilliant as ever.  It is stated that at the request of the Russian authorities there are still a number of secret police officers at Coburg to assure the safety of the Duke Alfred's foreign guests, lest any Nihilist outrages should be attempted. During Thursday night and en Friday morning snow fell in and around Aberdeen. In the, city it did not lie, but a few miles out the snow was lying from an inch to two inches in depth. Such a stonu in the month of May has not been experienced in Aberdeenshire for many years. kireat damage is being done to young vegetation.  The French Minister of Foreign Affairs Las received information that an English vess,l has attempted to land a quantity of dynamite at Bizerta, in Tunis. According to another account, a secret store of explosives has been discovered on an island oppc,site Biaerta.  A serious conflict has occurred at Vienna between , the police and the bricklayers on strike. The latte:, to alb number of about 1,000, assembled in the lluotger Flats, and attacked the men at work there. ',he police intervened to disperse the rioters, and, being assailed with stones, charged the mob with the flat of their swords. Seven arrests were made.