THE AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACY. 
179 
The object of the deputation was to ask the Government to introduce a 
bill for the incorporation of the Pharmaceutical Society, which they had long 
desired should be done, and they wished the Minister to take charge of a 
bill for that purpose. They also desired to bring under the notice of the 
Minister a matter referring to the Board of Technical Education, a deputation 
from whom had waited upon the Minister some time ago, seeking for power 
to issue cerri Scales of competency to students attending the classes in pharmacy 
under the Board. 
Mr. Pinhey, with reference to the latter subject, denied that the examina- 
tions required by the council of the Pharmaceutical Society were so severe 
as had been alleged. In England, Victoria, and other places three principal 
examinations were required : — A preliminary examination as a test of general 
education ; a minor examination to qualify the candidate ; and a major examina- 
tion, the last being optional. In this colony only one examination was held, 
and that fully qualified successful candidates for membership of the Pharma- 
ceutical Society, and for registration under the Sale of Poisons Act of 1870. He 
affirmed that the papers of the society here were less difficult than those set 
at Melbourne, and a candidate who obtained 50 per cent, of the marks in each 
paper was passed. Two hours was always allowed for each paper, and the 
fullest and amplest time was allowed to the candidates to finish their papers. 
He further denied that the fees charged here were prohibitive, as had been 
alleged ; in fact, the only fee charged was three guineas. Every facility was 
offered by the society to enable students to fit themselves for examination. They 
had an excellent library for the use of the students ; they had the nucleus of a 
Materia Medica ; and students were assisted in the art of preparation. A 
thoroughly qualified lecturer, Mr. Edwin Quayle, had been engaged to deliver 
periodical courses of lectures to students, and the society intended to found a 
College of Pharmacy should sufficient support be offered them. He further 
pointed out that the Pharmacy Board had never received any support from the 
Government, but had depended entirely upon the support of the Pharmaceutical 
Society, even for the expenses attendant upon the lectures. He contended that 
the request of the Technical College to be allowed to grant certificates of 
registration in pharmacy was entirely without precedent. The power to do this 
was vested in the Board of Pharmacy by the Pharmacy Act, and until it could 
be shown that the Board had failed in its duty, no reason could be alleged for 
the appointment of a second qualifying body. He gave a flat denial to the 
assertion that the Pharmacy Board had been biassed in the examinations. Jn 
conclusion, he pressed upon the Government the necessity for passing the Amended 
Pharmacy Bill, introduced into the Legislative Assembly two years ago by Sir 
Alexander Stuart. 
Dr. Benwick said the request of the Board of Technical Education had been 
submitted as a case to the Attorney-General, Mr. Want, who had suggested 
that it was not desirable to grant co-ordinate powers to another and distinct body. 
A regulation empowering the Board of Technical Education to grant certificates 
should only be made in the event of the Board of Pharmacy having failed in 
that respect, otherwise the Government should not interfere. The Board of 
Pharmacy was legally constituted for the purpose of making the examination 
of chemists and druggists, and of giving certificates after the students had 
obtained their education, either at the Technical College or elsewhere, and had 
served a proper time of apprenticeship. As regarded the request made to. him 
to introduce a bill for the incorporation of the Pharmaceutical Society, he would 
read the bill and carefully consider its provisions, and would communicate 
with Mr. Pinhey on the subject. 
