254 
THE AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACY. 
Nor is the accommodation the only thing that was remarked at this gathering. 
The order maintained was execrable, and was principally conspicuous by its 
absence, to the great detriment of the order of business. And the ebulition of 
feeling displayed by some was provoked by the confession of some member of 
the council confessing to the meeting that he, in company with others, had gone 
round to members of the society soliciting their candidature for office, with a 
view of splitting the votes. When we consider that so much depends upon 
the harmonious co-operation of all parties for the common welfare of all, it is 
to be regretted that so much party feeling has been displayed by gentlemen who 
should study the welfare of all parties. 
The re-election of Mr. J. Mayne was expected from the views set for thin 
his circular to the members. If Mr. Mayne’s wishes could be fulfilled, and his 
programme carried out, pharmacists would then have no enemies but themselves, 
but most of us know that the day has gone by for attempting to stop persons 
other than druggists from selling proprietary articles in this colony, and, instead 
of attempting the impossible, it were better to confine our attention to the less 
impracticable scheme of preventing all unqualified persons from opening in 
business. 
The president* s / address contained nothing very startling, and was very 
characteristic of Mr. Larmer, whose moderate views are well known, and who 
would be better appreciated if he would be guided more by his own convictions 
and less by the opinions of others. Mr. Larmer is one of the patriarchs of the 
profession, and as such is widely esteemed and respected, and his re-election will 
give satisfaction to those in the trade who view with alarm an undue tendency 
towards an influx of young men to office. 
The election of Mr. T. B. Melhuish to the council seems to have been 
hailed with great satisfaction by the majority present at the annual meeting. 
Mr. Melhuish has done much to render himself popular by the organising of 
several pleasant outings among members of the trade, and from the vigour and 
enthusiasm with which he enters into all trade movements. Mr. Melhuish has 
had the advantage of an extensive continental experience, and is a man of 
advanced views and latest ideas. 
Mr. Sadler will be welcomed by all as a'clear-headed man of business, who 
is esteemed for his kindly, genial disposition, and for the well-merited success 
that has attended his professional career. 
The departure of Mr. Pratt, sen., will be regretted by many of his old 
friends. This gentleman has been connected with the trade in this colony for 
nearly half a century, and was formerly the agent for the preparations of H. A. 
Thompson. He has also for many years been identified with many of the social 
and religious institutions of our city, and, having retired from business, is spending 
his days in well-merited rest. 
The defeated candidates [deserve mention. Mr. Carter, of Waverley, was 
nominated to fill the place of Mr. Parker during the last year, and, consequently, 
was among the candidates for re-election at the next annual meeting. The 
power of the president to nominate in the event of a vacancy was wisely 
exercised in this choice, for it often happens that men of great ability are over- 
looked in the excitement of a popular contest, which to them is distasteful. 
This was the case with Mr. Carter; he did not seek office, but was willing to 
serve if elected. In fact, of the thirteen candidates there was an unusual 
number of gentlemen who would have been highly desirable councillors, but, 
unfortunately, there were only four vacancies, consequently many who would 
have filled the posts with honour failed to obtain the position for which they 
contested. 
