The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-04-06 00:00:00

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LOCAL ART AT THE PARIS EXHIBITION.—At the
iortheoming Paris Exhibition Stoueoridge wni
be well represented in that branch el industry
Jur witieh tiLLS neignboarnuoL, is justly celebrated,
the glass trade, when such well known firms as
Messrs. Web...) and Sons, Dennis.; Messrs. Walker,
the Heath; and Messrs. Hodgetts, Richardson
and Son, Wordsley ; will exhibit suon a collection
of glass that has never been equalled at any ex-
inuition in the world. On visiting Messrs.
itudgetts, Richardson, and Suns establishment
last week we saw some beautiful specimens of the
glass makers and decorators art which we think
will not be surpassed by anything of the kind at
the exhibition. Pre-ewin.ent stands a fac-simile
of that wonderful specimen of art—the Portland
vase—which is carved in opaque metal with dark
clue back ground. This perfect and valuable
work of art has been done by that well known
artiste Mr. Joseph Locke, and we understand is
the only one in existence that is perfectly
whole. Other beautiful specimens in the same
style have been worked by Mr. Locke and
M. Alphonse Lechevrel which include "Hureules
returning Alceste to her husband" which
stands 15 inches high, " The Bathers'
" Venus " two different subjects "Cupid on
a Panther," "The Musicians," " Hipa and
Unhappy Childhood," "Cupid's flight with the
""The Dancers," "A Bacchanatain,"
and others. A chaste piece of work in cameo
uy Mr. Locke is done with exquisite taste
. and skill. There was anoLher to match this but
unfortunately it was broken in making. Among,
ale many and notable works in glass makir3,
cutting, and eiching is a Cleopatra flower stand,
6 feet high, and containing 63 pieces. The
baskets are threaded by a machine patented by
the head of the firm, Mr. Hodgetts. This is an
exceedingly fine specimen of glass making.
Tir.re are also two gigantic flower holders for stair
case, which are 1 feet high, and two elegant Moorish
vases. A very superb piece in the exhibition is
a flower v-se, which is a perfect imitation of
the water lilly and is a rare specimen of the
beautiful art. Among other si)csiinens are an
" T.Tm:rrella" flower stand, a bird cage with pink
glass rods, a gipsy kettle, and ot ler: too numerous
to mention all worked and finished with exquisite
skill. In the sets are some beautiful collections of
cut glass and fine specimens in the Renaissance
style. The whole collection is such that it can-
not fail to attract the attention of visitors to the
exhibition and great credit. is reflected on both the
glass makers, cutters, and artistes who have con-
tributed towards sending one of the most perfect
specimens of the art that has ever been turned
out from one glass works and ought to be a source
of congratulation to the proprietors, Messrs.
Hodgetts, Richardson and Son, whose • name has
long been known in the trade.
LECTURE BY THE REV. H. W. CROSSKEY.—A
lecture on " 'Me Beginnings of Life on Earth"
was given on Monday evening, in. the Corn Ex-
change, under the auspices of the Associated In-
stitutes, by the Rev. H. W. Crosskey, of Birming-
I am, Major Walker presided.
VESTRY MEETING. —A vestry meeting was held
at Oldswinford Schools, on Monday afternoon,
relative to parish business in Upper Swinford.
Mr. W. B. Collis presided.—lt was resolved to
appoint a paid surveyor for the ensuing year;
an amendment, that the ordinary unpaid surveyor
be appointed, being lost, Mr. W. Fiddian was
appointed at £3O a year.—Attention was called to
the embankment being constructed for the new
railway in Un.ier Swinford parish, and which, in
addition ... its obstruction of the old footpaths,
will has. . the further objection of two level cross-
ings. Tae surveyor was instructed to communi-
cate with the manager and engineer of the Great
Western Railway Company with the view of
securing the construction of a bridge under the
embankment. Failing this, the matter will be
brought before a future vestry meeting.—Other
business was afterwards considered, including the
question of the lighting of the roads of the
parish with gas. A committee was appointed on
the subject.

Diu 7RIELWAT QUESTION.—Tho voting papers
were issued by the Commissioners on Saturday
last and in again on Wednesday. The point at
issue being whether the ratepayers approved of
the proposed opposition by the Commissioners to
the Great Weitern Railway Company's Bill beforc,
Parliament stopping up Fost.2r Street. The
notice stated that the adding up of the votes
would commence as soon as collected in, and at
the time appointed, five o'clock, a good number
of ratepayers were present. Mr. Prescott pointed
out that under section 51 the second schedule of
the Public Health Act, 1875, it was specifically
required that the casting up of the votes tUla the