The examination for the association's "B" certificate was in progress, and the seven candidates were busily making jellies, aspics, hors d'oeuvres, sauces, entrees, poultry dishes, sweets, savouries, and many other confections.
The dishes, weird in composition, but very tempting in appearance, were displayed on the various tables in a manner that might have moved the most exacting epicure, and there was that in the aroma they created, and the rapid, skilful movements of the cooks that drove one to the conclusion that there was more in the art than met the eye or was appreciated by the palate.
Miss J. A. Miller, the teacher, explained that the examination proceeding was in high-class cookery, and that a successful candidate was qualified to take almost any position in the culinary world.
Taste, general appearance, flavouring, decorations, and method of working were all taken into consideration when the judges were awarding marks.
• This is just a short chat on bird-life at Port William, Stewart Island. My husband and I are the only residents here, and so the birds have a right royal time and have gained much confidence in us.
On October 16 a native crow paid me his yearly visit. He never forgets.
Last year he brought his wife, and pulled many of my dianthus blooms, but evidently it did not please her ladyship, for they disappeared the next day.
His plumage is a slaty blue-grey, with a beautiful black velvet band on his head, red wattles, and large bright pansy-like eyes, and legs long and slender.
He soon became tired of my company, and interested himself with some tender green grass, which he seemed to enjoy very much.
On October 18 the loud call-note of the longtailed cuckoo broke the stillness of the night, but as I have not heard it through the day, it must have been passing over.
The shining cuckoo, with its whistling song and gay plumage, has not arrived here yet. - Correspondent. - ODT, 19.10.1908.
