THE COOKING CRAFT.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 302, 15 September 1908, Page 10

THE COOKING CRAFT.

; —<>:—: — ■ • OPENING OF A NEW ASSOCIATION. SPEECHES BY THE MAYOR AND OTHERS. The Wellington Cooks' Association began its career last evening, when its commodious rooms on Lambton Quay wore opened by the Mayor (Hon. T. W. Ilislop). The object of the association is to provide a place where the single men engaged in the. city as chefs and cooks can meet for social intercourse, and whore members of the craft may discuss matters of professional interest, mutual assistance, and technical education. The premises were lately occupied by the Civil Service Club. Billiards, cards, chcss, and draughts, and other games are provided, and there is a well-equipped roading-room, where papers and magazines of all sorts, and particularly those devoted to the profession of cooking, will bo found. A technical reference library is to .ba. started as.funds permit. Chefs and under-cooks on steamers will bo received at a reduced rate of subscription .during their stay in the port. The ordinary subscription is Is. a week, and honorary members are enrolled at £1 a year. Most of the employers of cooks in the city have in this manner shown their practical sympathy with the movemont. Lectures by specialists and exhibitions of artistic cookery aro among the contemplated future activities of the association. The promoters hope that in tlio near future employers will, recognise that, in securing the services of one of the members, they will be sure of having a competent, steady, and sober man. There are at present 50 members and a number aro awaiting the ballot at the next meeting.' Mr. H. Williams (who took the chair at last night's proceedings) is tho president, Mr. J. M'Cusker is vice-president, and tho secretary is Mr. F. C. Benfield. Among the visitors at tho large gathering last evening were members of the Legislature and City Council. Apologies for absenco wero received from Cabinet Ministers and other gentlemen. THE MAYOR ON COOKERY: The Mayor congratulated the cooks of Wellington on having determined to form a social institute, and having secured a placa whero thoy could have all the conveniences and pleasures of social intercourse, which were only possible through the ' medium of associated effort. He recalled the words of tho late Mr. J. E. FitzGerald, Controller-General, who said that he looked forward to tho time when the 'cooks would become one of tho leading professions 1 in the community, on tho principle that prevention was better than cure, and that to the hands of the cooks was entrusted the prevention of many diseases and tho building up of healthy human frames. ■ In modern times tho methods of. science had been brought to bear' upon cooking, and no doubt those who took a proper prido in their profession would see that they had an honourable mission to fulfil. By studying the literature of their profession they would fit themselves to become an even more potent factor for good in the community. He had great pleasure in declaring the rooms open. ' OTHER SPEECHES. The president (Mr. Williams) proposed tho toast of "The Parliament of New Zealand." The Hon. J. Rigg, M.L.C., in responding, congratulated the founders of tho association, and said ho thought they would bo well advised to apply for a charter. They would then be able to sell intoxicants. Some would say that was very bad advice, but his view was that some of. the members would have liquor anyway, and the best place to have it was in their own club, under proper supervision, and with better liquor. A much more important matter, however, was the library, and he urged them to improve it as much as possible. > Mr. C. A. C. Hardy and Mr. C. H. Izard, M.P.'s, also responded to the toast. , Mr. G. Girling Butcher, whoso efforts in the formation of tho association wore gratefully acknowledged by tho chairman, proposed "The Honorary Members." The toast having been honoured with enthusiasm, the Rev. Father Hickson responded, and expressed high hopes of tho good that might result from the association. Mr. James Mooro told of a mutiny that had been averted by a change of cooks. He suggested that a better way of increasing the funds than that suggested bv Mr. Rigg would bo to give much-ncedcd cookery lessons to some of the housewives of, Wellington. Mr. J. P. Luke also spoko of tho dignity of the cooking craft, but counselled the association to leave Mr. Rigg's suggestion as to a charter severely alone.