Correspondence.

Auckland Star, Volume X, Issue 2939, 15 September 1879, Page 3

Correspondence.

MISS FIDLER'S CULINARY LESSONS,

(To the Editor). Sir,—With your permission I Would like to say a few words in auswer to a letter signed " Matron," in Saturday's Star. The ascetic tone of that epistle causes some grave suspicions that the name is assumed. Wbo could for one moment suppose that the writer has daughters or sisters, or ever had a lover. (Hush ! " Tell it not in Gath.") I have attended some of Miss Fidler's lessons , on Cookery, and think them useful to young people in general. In justice to tbe teachers I must say that I saw many of them copying most assiduously. Ido not say that some of them did not laugh, but who indeed would not rejoice in the fact of their having a little relaxation after teaching a class of between twenty and forty children during the day. Has " Matron " any idea what a tax upon patience that implies ? Think you she would have a supply equal to the demand. I trow not. I may add the audience was a mixed one, therefore not fair to speak in such general terms, in other words, en masse. If we are to infer trom "Matron" that after young ladies enter the matrimonial state their all engrossing care is to be cookery, then alas for what she styles bliss. I would rather advise them in that case to steer clear of the shore she landed on. In conclusion, allow me to add that during; the lessons I attended I did not hear a gentleman's name mentioned, nor anything disrespectful of Miss Fidler or her art in one instance. I consider she out-stepped her position as cook in giving the spelling and pronunciation of a simple word to such an audience. Miss F. is quite capable of looking her displeasure, therefore it seems unnecessary to take up the gauntlet for her. —I am, &c, One Who Can Laugh.

To the Editor: Sir, —In your issue of Saturday a "Matrou" writes complaining of the bad conduct of the teachers who attend Miss Fidler'a lectures on cookery. I was not surprised to see that letter, for I have been very much annoyed myself at the giggling and talking of many who go there ; but if, instead of blaming the teachers in a body, "Matron" had said " a few," it would have been more correct and kind. Now, sir, I am a teacher myself, and fully appreciate the kindness of the Board in giving the teachers the opportunity of attending these useful lessons gratis, and I with many other feel veiy much annoyed and hurt that we, who really wish to profit by them, should be wrongfully blamed. Amongst the teachers there are "three whe regularly keep up an incessant chatter and giggle, and especially one who every now and then breaks out into a screach of laughter, which is distinctly heard all over the room, aud for which I notice Miss Fidler often has to stop her work until the merriment has in some degree subsided. Then, sir, tlwre are several other pupils not connected with the teachers -whose conduct is quite as disgraceful, and whose names I could mention, but in kindness I shall refrain. From this will be seen that it is hardly fair to blame us, who are innocent, aud moreover who have at least learnt "good manners."—l am &c, A Lady; Teacher.

Sir,—l think your correspondent rather severe and too personal in her remarks. I have attended Miss Fidler's lessons with much pleasure, and, perhaps through going early and sitting in the front, cannot be annoyed by whispering; but I have only noticed one young lady rather fond of giggling, and after two or three of us looking back she has' almost eutircly given up doing so. I do not know, but Ido not think that the young ladies " Matron" alludes to are teachers at all. \ thought it rothertooschool-giilish for the appearance of the young lady, but I quite believe it has not come from youug lady teachers. I have, 1 am sorry to say, no daughters, but I think " Matron " cannot have cither or she would be less caustic.—l am, etc., Matron.