THE COOKERY SCHOOL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1340, 4 August 1877, Page 19

THE COOKERY SCHOOL.

The School of Cookery, established by Miss Fidler, in the South Australian Hall, promises to be a very successful undertaking. In the special class there are already about 60 pupila, and the other classes are equally well attended. - The necessity of an institution in Dunedin, in which ladies may learn something of the theory and practice of ,the culinary art, has long been felt to ft© very argent The existence of such a school Is rendered especially desirable, owing to the fact that in Drinedin it is so difficult to obtain servants possessing any knowledge whatever of cooking. It is therefore of the greatest - importance that ladies should be in a position to instruct then* servants; for when mistress and. 'domestic are alike ignorant of even the rudiments of the art, the greatest confusion must result in the kitchen and in the diningroom* Bat even if a lady should luckily obtain servants to whom she may safely entrust tbe •Sain cuisine, it surely is something gained that, when dishes are placed upon her table, instead of their appearing as myeteries to her, the will know of what they are composed, and how they are prepared. And to ladies who lukve to manage without the aid of servants, the lessons will prove of incalculable benefit. There Is not the least difficulty in following Miss FidI«*b directions. She carefully avoids using any technicalities, and her instructions are given in tike most clear, distinct, and concise manner. That the Dnnsdin ladies are in earnest, and do not entertain the foolish and absurd idea that it is derogatory to the dignity of a lady to be able to direct the management of her own ' house by possessing a practical knowledge of - one of the most important branches of housekeeping, ia fully evidenced by the very large number of ladies who, attend the afternoon classes. Perhaps the ardour of the younger papas may have been slightly stimulated by the rem&rKa of the gentleman who opened the - olassee, when he stated that a knowledge of cooking would very materially increase- their matrimonial prospects. If the most effectual method of laying siege to the affections of the eligible young men in Dunedin is by appealing to their epicurean susceptibilities, their hearts would surely be in danger of capitulation, could they glance into the Australian Hall be- ■■ twees half-past 2 and 4 in .the afternoon, and there behold the solicitude with which their future comfort it cared for by the large number of young ladies who, with pencils and note books, likeagallery of amateur reporters, eagerly transfer to paper the words of wisdom which flow from the lips of Miss Fidler. In the evening at half- past 7, there are classes for ' those whose occupations do not admit of their attending the afternoon classes. During each lesson Miss fidler usually treats about four dwhes, some evenings being entirely set apart for the making of Scotch dishes. The whole of 'the cooking arrangements are carried on ' upon the newest and most approved principles. Those who desire to obtain instruction in this most. necessary art cannot do better than attend the lessons of Miss Fidler, as that lady's enterprise certainly denorves all the patronage which it can possibly receive.