THE AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACY. 
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appointed for more than twelve months. It would be a good check, and would 
tend to keep men up to the mark. If they appointed a man for life there wai 
a danger of his becoming somnolent, for it was only human nature after all. 
Mr. Potts seconded. 
Mr. Mayne urged that the resolution should be allowed to pass as printed. 
He would make an amendment if necessary. 
Mr. Blackett thereupon withdrew his suggestion, and the motion passed 
nem. con. 
Conducting Examinations. 
Mr. Blackett moved, and Mr. Huntsman seconded — 
“ That the mode of conducting examinations be both written and oral in 
every subject.’' 
A mere oral examination, he said, was not a proper test, and this had been 
proved particularly in England. There was a great advantage in having written 
papers, even for purposes of reference. In a viva voce manner they could often prove 
the depths of a man’s ignorance or the profundity of his knowledge. He once asked 
a candidate for a definition of steam, and received the reply that it was “ some- 
thing like smoke, but thicker.” When a candidate answered like that it was 
evident that his knowledge of elementary chemistry was exceedingly limited. 
The same candidate's written examination was not so bad, and his answers were 
accurate enough to obtain him a percentage of marks. The oral examination, 
however, completely “ stumped ” him. 
Mr. Mayne moved an amendment — 
“ That the examinations be written or oral at the discretion of the various 
boards and councils.” 
Mr. Pond, in seconding the amendment, remarked that New Zealand exceeded 
Victoria in respect of the estimation by the results of the candidate’s work. In 
New Zealand they required 70 per cent, to pass, whilst it was only 50 in Victoria. 
Written papers were of very great value, and doubtless if the student to whom 
Mr. Blackett had referred had been given just a little time for reflection, the 
answer would have been much more satisfactory. The results of the examina- 
tions held throughout New Zealand came before one examiner at the head 
centre, who finally dealt with them. The question of examinations being written 
or oral should be left optional with the various boards. 
Mr. Potts said the question was one requiring particular unanimity, other- 
wise there would be a doubt as to which examination was recognised throughout 
the colonies. 
Mr. Blackett, replying to Mr. Pond, said it was absolutely necessary to have 
oral as well as written examinations. How could they have a written examina- 
tion with the microscope? It was necessary that the skill of the students 
should be closely watched in handling the instrument. And the same applied to 
volumetric analysis. A candidate might pass his examination on paper, but 
it was very desirable that he should exhibit his knowledge and skill by practical 
tests. Coaching again came up in this matter. Many students could answer 
correctly on paper, and it was to defeat the wiles of the examinee that he urged 
the oral examination. The dual system certainly offered the best security. They 
did not want a hard and fast groove so long as the one end was attained — viz., 
the standard of efficiency. (Hear, hear.) 
After a friendly conversational discussion Mr. Blackett withdrew the 
motion in favour of the following, moved by Mr. Mayne, and seconded by Mr. 
Pond : — 
“ The mode of conducting examinations to be written and oral in every 
subject, the oral to be at the discretion of the various boards and societies.*' 
This met with general approval, and was carried. 
