MISS FIDLER'S INAUGURALLECTURE.

Auckland Star, Volume X, Issue 2921, 25 August 1879, Page 3

MISS FIDLER'S INAUGURALLECTURE.

This afternoon the Mechanics' Institute was crowded to excess by a very numerous and influential assemblage of ladies, who were met together for the purpose of hearing Miss Fitller's introductory Cookery Lesson. Probably never before has there beeu such a large and representative gathering of the ladies of Auckland, with so meagre a proportion of the sterner sex — not more than half-a-dozen gentlemen being present. The whole of the seats were occupied, aud all the standing room taken up, while a few energetic demoiselles made the best of their farremoved seats by standing upon them. Although aware of the devotion of the fair sex to man's desires we should hardly have credited the existence of so general a wish to propitiate the lords of creation as this afternoon's assemblage demonstrated. Grave and portly matrons sat side by side with attenuated and ancient maidens, while the number of young ladies, whom it is a fair guess to assume unmarried, was legion. The whole front of' the stage was covered with cooking appliauces and, apparatus aud a great part of the remaining space behiud was devoted to the paraphernalia of a well-equipped cuisiue. ~ His Worship the Mayor presided, and in a pithy and fluent speech, introduced Miss Fidler to her audience.

The lady was arrayed in a neat and appropriate costume, and after a few remarks delivered iv a self-possessed manner and with distinct enunciation, she proceeded with the preparation of beef olives, explaining the process as she compounded the various ingredients.

The audience meanwhile had beeu provided with books and pencils, and during the progress of the discourse they were engaged in taking copious notes. After finishing her preparation of the entree, tlie lecturess-cook went ou to compound a favourite soup. She explained the processes clearly and intelligibly, and was listened to most attentively throughout.