VoL. li., No. 4 
THE CHEMIST AND DRUGGIST OF AUSTRALASIA 
103 
STATEMENT OF LIABILITIES AND ASSETS. 
Dk. 
1886. 
December 31. 
To Liabilities — 
Ariiall and Jackson 
T. Whitehead and Co. 
A. H. Massina and Co, 
Morgan Bros. 
Director’s salary not debited 
W. Johnson 
Sundry Small Accounts 
Balance of Assets over Liabilities 
Cr. 
1886. 
December 31. 
Balance on Current Accounts, “ Australasian Journal 
of Pharniacy"- 
Outstandiug Subscriptions, valued at - 
Buildings of the Pharmaceutical Society’s Hall, etc. 
Library, Furniture, and Museum 
The Australasian Journal of Pharmacy 
B ilance Benevolent Fund Account 
Balance in Colonial Bank 
H, GAMBLE, Hon. Treasurer. 
THE BALLAEAT CHEMISTS’ ASSOCIATION. 
(VROM A CORRESPONDENT.) 
The Ballarat Chemists’ Association, which for many years 
was the most successful organisation of the kind in the colony, 
held its final meeting last month. A short history of its 
career may point a moral, and, perhaps, may not be unin- 
teresting to your readers. The imposition of heavy duties 
upon drugs, and patent medicines, proposed by the Berry 
Ministry in 1879, was of such serious importance to the in- 
terests of the drug trade, that united movement became neces- 
sary. A meeting was held in Melbourne, and the support of 
the country trade solicited, as well as the charitable instiiti- 
tions whose funds would be seriously affected by the Govern- 
ment proposals. The value of concerted action was clearly 
demonstrated. The tax upon drugs in general was withdrawn. 
But patent medicines were evidently considered unnecessary 
luxuries, and the impost upon them was carried. It would 
have been well for the Ballarat Association, if not for the 
trade in general, if that view had been shared by the public. 
For the price of patent medicines, was the Scylla, as late 
hours, was the Charybdis, and between the two the good ship 
has come to grief. The Ballarat Society was for many years 
an illustration of the fact that out of evil good may arise, for, 
however unpopular the Berry Ministry may have been amongst 
the members, the Association had to thank it for its existence, 
and for the commercial and social success which so long at- 
tended it. A new era seemed opening up. The difficulties, or 
impossibilities, which were apparently inseparable from the 
drug trade, seemed in a fair way of being overcome ; various 
reforms were initiated ; augularities were rubbed off ; and a 
multitude of unsuspected good (qualities seemed to develop 
themselves, as the members became personally acquainted. 
The late hour of meeting suggested the necessity of some 
action being taken to relieve the members of the irksome 
slavery they had so long submitted to. Uniform prices for 
patent medicines were agreed upon, an arrangement apparently 
presenting no difficulty whatever, as provision was made for 
accommodating the views of members from time to time. In 
the light of later experiences, it is amusing to read the minute 
book, and the names affixed to various motions, and how the 
members, who seemed so enthusiastic in their proposals, have 
in later times been the sole difficulties the Association has had 
to contend with. However, the Society was fairly launched, 
Mr. Palmer being the first President, Mr. King Treasurer, and 
Mr. M‘Gowan Hon. Secretary, and the enthusiasm and ac- 
tivity of the last named gentleman contributed greatly to the 
success of the Association. At the expiration of the first year 
a dinner was given, which was attended by about 40 members 
and visitors. At the end of another prosperous year a new 
departure was taken, a picnic was determined upon, and the 
unparalled spectacle was witnessed of nearly the whole of tlie 
chemists of a large town joining in a country excursion. A 
most enjoyable day was spent, and for many years this form 
£ s. d. 
2 
17 
0 
3 
12 
6 
79 
8 
4 
76 
0 
0 
50 
0 
0 
5 
17 
6 
10 
0 
0 
6,284 
5 
2 
£6,512 
0 
6 
£ 
s. 
d. 
661 
11 
8 
35 
0 
0 
2,500 
0 
0 
850 
0 
0 
2,000 
0 
0 
274 
2 
1 
191 
6 
9 
£6,512 
0 
6 
of celebration was adopted. The last three years the numbers 
attending had fallen oft, difficulties had arisen, one or two new 
men started in business, and kept aloof from the Association. 
Continual complaints were made of, we will say one or two 
members, as we have no wish to be personal ; regulation 
prices unobserved, the hours of closing extended, and the 
Friday half-holiday broken. Continued promises of amend- 
ment were given, but unobserved. New complaints made each 
night of meeting, and some shuffling explanation offered, until 
the honourable members of the Association (and the majority 
may certainly claim that title) felt that their patience was ex- 
hausted, and that it was useless to any longer contend against 
the evasive spirit which no influence could control, and no 
promise could bind. It was finally determined to wind up the 
Association, and Ballarat, as far as the drug trade is con- 
cerned, is now in a state of chaos. The humble penny has 
become an important factor in business transactions.* The 
purchaser of a sixpenny cake of soap, or a box of Bacham’s 
pills, has that interesting coin presented to him, as an 
acknowledgement of the honour conferred upon the vendor by 
his customer’s patronage, and encouragement for the future, 
more to the recixnent’s astonishment than his gratification, as 
he leaves the shop in doubt, whether the donation is intended 
as a joke or an insult. The public will, however, be easily 
educated up to it. But the astonishment will remain. How, 
a business which requires a superior education, which has, in 
many resx>ects, a claim to be regarded as a profession, the 
duties of which are so arduous, and in which so much self- 
denial has to be pi‘actised, cannot inspire its members with 
sufficient sense of dignity to rise superior to petty made 
jealousies, and the adoption of tactics which injure their 
neighbours and in no way enrich themselves. The time will 
come when, sobered by experience, they will look back with 
regret to their share in the destruction of an Association 
which did good service in its time. 
The South Suburban Chejiists’ Association. — The usual 
quarterly meeting was held at Prahran on the 1st March ; Mr. 
Witt (President) in the chair. The only business of import- 
ance brought forward was the subject of the Chemist’s Defence 
Fund. The fact that up to date only four answers had been 
received by the Pharmaceutical Council to their circular was 
animadverted upon by the President and a member of the 
Council, and members of the Association were urged to send 
in their replies (and promises of subscriptions) with despatch. 
It was then j^roposed that a call should be made on each mem- 
ber of the Association in aid of the fund ; but after a brief 
discussion the settlement of the question was postponed until 
the next quarterly meeting, by which time it will probably be 
known whether success or failure will attend the Council’s 
scheme. Messrs. Lewis and Skoglund were nominated as 
honorary members, to which list was also added the name of 
Mr. Bosisto, who, at this stage, was introduced to the meeting 
by the President. Mr. Bosisto had been invited to attend 
some time previously, but could not make certain of being at 
liberty on the occasion until too late to acquaint members 
with the fact, the attendance was, therefore, not so large as it 
would otherwise have been. Those present, however, over an 
impromptu champagne supper, gave their guest a cordial re- 
ception, which Mr. Bosisto reciprocated by giving the company 
some very interesting and instructive reminiscences of his trip 
to Europe. The portion of his remarks which attracted most 
attention was his statement that, while travelling in Spain, 
his knowledge of Latin enabled him to understand nearly 
everything that was being said without the aid of an inter- 
preter, a piece of information we would commend to the notice 
of those who consider Latin a dead language. Mr. Bosisto has 
promised to attend again on a future occasion, when, pro- 
bably, a little more ceremony will be indulged in. 
P’elton, Grimwaue and Co.’s Annual Picnic. — Saturday, 
March 12, was the occasion of the annual picnic given by 
Felton, Grimwade and Co. to their employes. F’rankston was 
the spot selected, and an early special train carried the plea- 
*Scene, A Chemist’s shop in Ballarat. Enter, a respectable 
gentleman. Loquitur, “I say! Look here ! Who is that 
chemist up above ? What does he mean ? (His indignation 
rises). I went in and bought a cake of Pear’s soap and gave 
him sixpence, And He Handed Me A PENNY ! ! ! 
