One of the latest improvements to Reading has been the erection of a new Townhall, at a cost of between £50,000 and £60,000; this Hall was opened on May 31 last by Mr. John Walter, M.P. for Berkshire. The red-brick exterior of the hall is not sufficiently imposing to give one a faithful idea of the completeness of the interior, which is beautifully fitted up. The building was erected by Mr. Sainson of Brighton. It consists of a Townhall, Committee-Room, Free Library, Museum, School of Art, and Laboratory for the Local Board Analyst. The large hall is 90 ft. by 60 ft., with an altitude of 50ft., to hold 1500 people, in addition to all orchestra of 300; and a supper-room is constructed beneath. The organ, which originally cost £800, has been adapted to its new position by a further outlay of £1500. The hall is lighted from above, the gas-jets being fixed outside the inner glass roofing in a glass cove, by which means light is reflected without heat. There are ten doors of exit from the hall, five of which are large doors at one end.
Source: The Illustrated London News, July 8, 1882, p.45
The Mayor of Reading (Mr. John Messer)