COOKS’ ASSOCIATION

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6625, 15 September 1908, Page 6

COOKS’ ASSOCIATION

OPENING OP THEIR NEW CLUB.

Tho "Wellington Cooks’ Association opened their now club-rooms at 147 a, Lambton quay, last evening, wheii there was an attendance of upwards of seventy. Mr Harry Williams, president ©f th© association, occupied the chair, and amongst other quests wore tho Mayor (Hon. T. W. Hislop), tho Hon- J. lligg,' M.L.C., Mr O. A. C. Hardy, M.P., and, Mr C. H. Izard. M.P. Apologies for absence were received from the Hons. Dr Findlay, W. Ko.llJones, George Fowlds, J. A. Millar, J. McGowan, C. M. Luke, and others. Tho Mayor, in a short speech, declared tho club open. Ho congratulated the cooks of Wellington upon having determined to establish themselves in a place in which they could have all the benefits which could only flow from social intercourse and the discussion of matters affecting them in their professional capacities. It was hardly necessary to speak of th© important part which the - “cooks” performed in the social life of the world. Tho late James Edward Fitzgerald, the first Premier of New Zealand, and one cf the greatest orators this laud had ever known had once said that ho looked forward to the time when the cooks would play a really considerable part in the building up of the race, as they should do, and become a loading profession—on the principle that prevention was bettor than cure —for to th© hands of the cook was largely entrusted tbe prevention of disease .and tho creation "of sound and healthy bodies amongst tho members of tho community. (Hear, hear.) In more modern I times it was undeniable that scientific methods had been largely brought to bear noon the art of cookery, and those of the members of tho association who took a proper pride in their profession would readily see that there was plenty of work for the ambitious, and that each one of them could take an exceedingly Important part in the building up of a soundly healthy community. (Applause.) It was pleasurable to observe that th© club was to include amongst its attractions to members a library which would contain books of interest to all those who were associated with the profession, and that provision had been made for technical discussions in connection with matters pertaining to cookery generally. There was nothing like feeling proud of one’s occupation. It was the only sure method ot‘ improvement- If the members of the club cultivated the literature of their profession the club would become a DOteut factor in th©

community and the members of it ■would fill a much larger place than if they remained us mere individual entities. (Applause.) Further, the chib would perform an important action in providing a moeting-placo for oversea and coastal strangers—cooks employed upon the many steamers that visited the port'. Tlu- toast of Parliament was proposed bv the chairman, and responded to by the Hon. J. J.ldgg> M.L.0., Air C t . Hardy. M. 8., and IMr C. H. Izard, M.P. Mr G. G. Butcher proposed tho

Honorary Members of the Club and the Visitors,*-’ and suitable responses were made by the Rev. Father Hickson. Mr Janies Moore (missionor to seamen). and Mr J. P. Luke. .Subsequently the visitors inspected the rooms, which were found to be admirably arranged, and in all respects suitable for tho purposes of the club.