88 
THE CHEMIST AND DRUGGIST OP AUSTRALASIA. Feb, 1, 1887, 
The only business brought forward at the last meeeting of 
the Pharmaceutical Society was the consideration of prices. 
Much annoyance is felt by the chemists at the claim made by 
the post office of a surcharge of 2s. 6d. each on the Diaries. 
I notice that the Government have been honoring^ the 
medical profession by making J.P.’s of Drs. Marks, Little, 
Kebbell, Tilson, and also Mr. Robert Berkley, Chemist, Queen- 
street. 
A petition has been filed for the liciuidation by arrangement 
or composition with creditors of the estate of William John 
Costin, trading as J. Costin & Co., druggist. The liabilities 
are stated at £23,736 made up as follows : — E. A. Bulmore, 
of Ipswich, £5000; Hodson & Archer, £3100; Bank of New 
South Wales, £1600; S. P. Costin, £1880 ; Davis & Co., £85 
10s.; G. T. C. Lang, £950; B. D. Morehead, £7500; Co- 
Operative Butchering Company, £20 10s. ; total, £23,736. 
General meeting, February 2. We understand that this in 
no way concerns the Queensland Drug Company, _ of which 
Mr Costin is manager, but refers to private transactions. 
The second annual meeting of the Brisbane Associated 
Friendly Societies’ Dispensary was held an Jan. 17. At the 
commencement of 1886 there were nineteen lodges, number- 
ing 1,500 members, on the roll; now there are twenty-two 
lodges, numbering 1,675 members, an increase of three lodges 
and 175 members. The balance-sheet shows the sum of £647 
5s. 8d. as having been received from the lodges, and £567 4s. 
7d. as expenses, including a re-fund of £63 8s., leaving a credit 
balance on the year’s transactions of £80 Is. Id., or a total 
balance to credit of institution, including stock, &c., of £249 
6s. 9d. After the election of officers the meeting took into 
consideration the advisableness of giving [more assistance to 
the dispenser, whereby the dispensary could be kept open 
longer, also on Sundays and holidays, thus giving greatei 
benefits to the members, and after a long discussion it was de- 
cided that the committee of management be instructed to 
procure an assistant. 
SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 
PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 
The usual monthly meeting of the Council of the Society 
was held at the Industrial Buildings, on Dec. 20, 1886. 
Present — The President, Vice-President, and Messrs. Main 
(hon. secretary), Poole {hon. treasurer), Grummett, and G. 
A. Parker. 
The examination papers, and results of the recent “pre- 
liminary examination,” were presented ; and it was resolved, 
on the motion of the Vice-President, seconded by Mr. Poole, 
** That the three first candidates, viz., Messrs. J. E. Condrey, 
W. Fisk, andF. W. Snook, be accepted, as recommended by 
the Rev. W. Hopkins.” 
Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Grummett, seconded by 
Mr. G. A, Parker, “That ‘Mason’s English Grammar’ and 
‘ Hamblin Smith’s Arithmetic ’ be adopted for students, as 
recommended by the Rev. W. Hopkins.” 
Resolved also, “ That post-cards be printed, to be used as 
notices of meetings, arrangements for same to be left to the 
Secretary and Treasurer,” 
(from our own correspondent.) 
Adelaide, Jan. 21, 1887. 
The past month has been almost devoid of business as far 
as the Pharmaceutical Society is concerned ; owing to the 
Christmas holidays, and the intense heat prevailing at the 
date of the usual monthly general meeting, it was found on 
the evening of Jan. 4th, that a sufficient number of mem- 
bers did not put in an appearance to form a quorum, so it was 
resolved by the Committee to postpone the meeting until the 
following month, which will take place on Tuesday, February 
1st. 
Proposed International Conference. — As regards this 
proposal, nothing further has been done since my last letter ; 
owing to the postponement of the last general meeting, the 
Society has not yet had an opportunity of expressing its 
views on the question, but I understand the Council (though 
this has not been decided upon officially) are of opinion that 
it is not altogether advisable for the Society to attempt it, 
mainly, I believe, from the fact of the Society’s recent forma- 
tion and inexperience in work of this kind, also the difficulty 
in finding members willing to devote time necessary for the 
successful carrying out of the details ; however, I anticipate 
that at the next general meeting something definite will be 
decided upon, either for or against the scheme. 
Reciprocity with New South Wales. — As reported in the 
last number of The Chemist and Druggist of Australasia^ by 
your New South Wales correspondent, an official intimation 
of the resolution bearing on the interchange of certificates 
with that colony, has been received by the hon. secretary (Mr. 
W. J. Main) of our Society, and will be laid before the Society 
next month, when, doubtless, a mutual arrangement will be 
arrived at between ourselves and New South Wales. The 
latter colony is, I think, to be congratulated on the liberal 
and friendly spirit which is evidently felt there towards the 
colonies generally. 
Pharmacy Act. — Doubtless the obtaining of an Act for 
South Australia will form, at no very distant date, a portion 
of the Society’s programme for the ensuing year ; chemists 
generally are feeling more and more the urgent need there is 
for action in this direction, and the Council very clearly hint 
at this matter (as a portion of the Society’s work in the near 
future) in the circular which they are issuing to all members 
during this month. I append a copy of the circular referred 
to, which, in addition to other facts, gives a short review of 
the chief items in last year’s work : — 
“Pharmaceutical Society of S.A., 
King William-street, 
Adelaide, January 1, 1887. 
“Dear Sir, — 
“ This being the commencement of our second year, we have 
much pleasure in informing you that the interest taken in the 
Society's work done during the past year assures us of similar 
support this year. By this post we hand you copy of the rules 
and list of members of the Society, which are presented free 
to all members once only. 
“You will see by the list of members that nearly all the 
chemists in South Australia have joined the Society. As re- 
ports of the Society’s meetings having come under your notice 
in The Chemist and Druggist of Australasia, we need 
hardly recapitulate the work done in full. Your Society 
was represented at the Intercolonial Conference held in 
Melbourne in October last, shewing that we are now 
a recognised Society. During the j^ear a committee 
was formed to enquire into the working of _ Phar- 
macy Acts in the other colonies, etc., and the desirability or 
otherwise of obtaining a Pharmacy Act for South Australia. 
The committee appointed, after making the strictest enquiry, 
and receiving a large amount of correspondenee on the sub- 
ject, have unanimously recommended that a Pharmacy Act 
be obtained here, and advise that steps be taken by the Society 
to obtain the most improved Act for the benefit of the chemists 
of this colony. The Society has during the year held two 
“ preliminary examinations ” for apprentices, and those who 
passed (viz. 6) have been registered as students of the Society. 
Your Council hope that assistants will come forward to pass 
the “ minor examination,” which will now be the only means 
of their being registered as members. The Society numbers 
117 (one hundred and seventeen) members, all of which we 
hope to enrol this year. Within the last few days your Coun- 
cil has received information from New South Wales that the 
certificates of the South Australian Society will be recognised 
by the Society of that colony. Whilst thanking you for your 
support during last year, we take this opportunity of remind- 
ing you that your subscription for the current year is now due, 
and would ask you to remit one guinea as early as possible, so 
that your name may be forwarded to secure the journals and 
diary for the year. 
We are. 
Yours, (fee., 
(Signed) W. H. Harrison, President. 
F. E. Grundy, Vice-president. 
H. J. Poole, Treasurer. 
J. White. 
G. A. Parker. 
B. Grummett. 
W. J. Main, Hon. Secretary.” 
Death froji Snakerite. — A young girl, a daughter of a 
farmer at Willochra, was, on January 6, bitten by a snake 
while in bed. She threw the reptile out of bed and died 
about an hour after being bitten. 
