PARENTS AND SCHOOL COOKERY.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15752, 20 November 1916, Page 9

PARENTS AND SCHOOL COOKERY.

A MOTHER'S PROTEST,

That tho instruction given by tho prim little miss of the public schools who teachcs cookery on the latest scientific and economical principles does not give unadulterated*joy to fond parents was demonstrated (says tho "Star") at a meeting of tho Auckland Education Board, at which a letter was read from a maternal critic at Thames, who bluntly asked for hor children to bo switched on to something useful—spelling and arithmetic to wit.

The report of the supervisor of tho technical branch drew attention to tho failure of certain parents at Thames to appreciate tho boon now offered in .pducation. Several pupils from the ccntral school, stated tho report, had failed to pay the cookcrv class fees, their parents stating that they objected to pay tho amounts. Ho recommended that tho Thames School Committee bo informed of tho necessity for tho children paying for material used by them at the cookery school. Mr Kalaugher illustrated the attitudo of the objectors by reading a letter received from ono of them, in reply to a request for a remittance of the fees, which, read: "I do not think it ig necessary for children to attend the cookery schools. I would be better pleased if they were kept at school and given two hours of spelling-or arithmetic, which would be of some use to them. (Laughter.) Ido not have to pay for their education, and I do not intend to pay for what they can do without, and can learn when necessary " A member of the Board:. Father or mother. Mr Kalaugher: Oh, mother. Members: Shame! ! Tho supervisor remarked that it was j a most unsual attitude to take up. j Mr G. J. Garland, in expressing pained surprise at tho lack of appreciation of the cookery teaching, said that iris children -would not be kept away from it for anything. Mr E. C. Banks thought the ldtter should be replied to forcibly. Mr F. "W. . Brinsden thought that it was an unfair attitude for parents to take up, considering tho number of (girls who had to take on work as typists and the like, and who were married offvby their parents to some poor fellows who died an early death. (Laughter.) Mr Kalangher stated that there were no fees for instruction. Tiie charge was only for materials, and the children were given the things they made. A member: So tney get more than value for their money? The Supervisor: Undoubtedly they do. Discussing the possibility of collecting tho fees, Mrs F. E. Baume pointed out that the -writer of tho letter did not. want her children tp be taught cooking, but preferred spelling. Mr Murray: They cannot livo on spelling. (Laughter.) Mr Burns doubted whether the Board could compel payment, seeing that education was free, secular and compulsory, an opinion which was concurred in by the secretary, who observed that the question had been before the Board for years, and only moral suasion could be used.

The Board decided to write to the headmaster asking him to endeavour to arrange matters amicably.