124 
THE CHEMIST AND DEUGGIST OF AUSTEALASIA. 
May 1, 1887. 
(fhom our owx correspondent). 
Dunedin, April 14 :, 1887 . 
The Stores and Storekeepers. 
The subject of “ euchreing ” the grocers, storekeepers, 
drapers, and others, is one which has occupied the attention of 
almost every druggist throughout Australasia at some time or 
other, and all have suffered more or less from the cutting 
prices adojDted by them. "We as pharmacists therefore owe 
our thanks to T]ie Chemist (uid Drufigist for bringing the 
matters under special notice, and taking the trouble to focus 
the different theories advanced, with the view to remedying 
the evil at present existing. Here in New Zealand I can re- 
member, even ten or twelve years ago, if anyone wanted such 
things as a hair brush or comb, perfumery, toilet soap, sponge, 
and many other toilet requisites, the chemist’s shop was the 
place at which it Avas customary to purchase them, but noAv 
all that is changed^ and we find the public resorting to grocers 
or storekeepers for patent medicines, and to drapers or fancy 
goods dealers for the articles mentioned above, besides others 
too numerous to mention. In fact almost every description 
of tradesmen has taken to selling something which we think 
legitimately belongs to our business. Consequently unless a 
chemist and druggist can be sure of a good run of dispensing 
he may as Avell close his shop, for he is only Avorking at “ gro- 
cers’ profits and chemists’ hours.” 
Apart from this there is a serious difficulty, inasmuch that 
Ave find so little unity amongst members of our business, and 
there are those Avho loAver the dignity of our profession by 
advertising on the same lines as a draper or butcher. There 
are some druggists in Dunedin AA'hose advertisements in our 
daily papers Avould amuse your readers immensely, but I don’t 
feel justified in giving them a free advertisement in The 
Cheiiii.-it and Dniaoi^t. Taking all things into consideration 
one may truly say that the profession is going (if not gone) to 
the dogs. 
Hoav to remedy this e\’il is a difficult problem to solve, and 
I am afraid nothing but legislation Avili effect a cure. By 
making it biAv that only registered chemists should be allowed 
to sell all drugs, chemicals, or anj' article intended for use as 
medicine, Ave should regain the custody of many articles now 
in the hands of grocers and others — such as soda, cream of 
tartar, sulphur, castor oil, glycerine, Ac., besides patent medi- 
cines. This Avould be half the battle gained, and a more 
ingenious mind than mine might suggest such a clause as 
would include many others noAv being sold by almost every 
shopkeeper. 
The Shop Hours Regulation Bill, as introduced by Sir John 
Lubbock, or something approaching it, Avhich Avould make it 
compulsory for all to close at a certain hour, should become 
law, for private agreement has been repeatedly tried and as 
often failed. 
Failing legislation, chemists should unite by legal agree- 
ment into a company, thus centralising capital, AA'hich Avould 
enable them to purchase large stocks of patents, Ax., direct 
from the manufacturers, at great reductions in price. Under 
proper arrangements these could be supplied to shareholders, 
AA’ho Avould thus be able to compete faAxurably Avith the 
present sellers, among Avhom are grocers and others^ Avho in 
most instances buy small quantities in their toAvn of residence, 
and Avho would soon cease to keep such things in stock, as the 
small turnover would not Avarrant them doing so. I cannot 
occupy more of your space in exj^laining the scheme here 
suggested. I believe the plan to be feasible, especially in 
large cities, where most capital could be obtained, and feel 
confident that if once tried (providing the concern was floated 
on sound business lines suitable to all) it Avould prove such a 
success as Avould soon shut out of the running many ob- 
jectionable rivals, and aa'ouUI soon be adopted in most toAvns 
of the colonies. [Has our corresiiondent overlooked the N.Z. 
Drug Co.?] 
Tenders for Medicines. — At a meeting of the Otago 
Benevolent Trustees, held on March IG. Mr. M. Marshall Avas 
declared to be the successful tenderer for the supply of medi- 
cines to the institution for the year ending March 31st, 1888, 
at the folloAving prices : — 
Mixtures : 4oz. 6d., 8oz. 8d., IGoz. Is. per bottle. 
Lotions : 1 pint, 8d. per bottle. 
Liniments , 8oz., Is. 
Embrocations: 8oz., 6d. 
Aperient Pills (sugar coated) : 3d. per dozen, 2s. per gross. 
” ” (plain) :2^d Is. 6d. „ „ 
Other tenders Avere received from Messrs. B. Bagiev and Son 
and Mr. A. M. Loasby. 
Next year it is expected the competition Avill be “very keen,” 
as it is rumoured that the Dunedin Corporation intend (in the 
case of all chemists and druggists) to remit the Avater rate 
charges, and alloAv them to use as much aqua as they please — 
free, gratis, for nothing. The profits in the drug trade Avill 
then be enormous, and the man aa'Iio advertises himself as the 
“cheapest druggist in the Avorld,” and guarantees the Dunedin 
public medicines 25 cent. beloAA' any other house in the 
city, Avill undoubtedly stand a chance of winning hands doAvn, 
Mr. R. P. Bagley has been appointed local registrar to the 
neAv Pharmacy Board. Only one local candidate has made 
application for examination, AA’hich takes place on 20th April. 
Rough on Rats. — Public attention is being directed to the 
large number of deaths that occur in the colony from the 
effects of “Rough on Rats,” and it is proposed to put some 
legal restriction on the sale of this poison. Not too soon, for 
hardly a Aveek passes but Avhat brings us neAA’s from some part 
of the colony about “Rough on Men.” Taax more suicides 
have occurred at Auckland recently Avith it. In one case, 
William Ayers took the poison in a brothel on the 18th March, 
and a Mrs. O’Neill, Avife of an expressman at Onehunga, 
poisoned herself, on the 21st, Avith the same preparation. 
Dispensing Doctors. — Dr. Stenhouse, Avho Avent home some 
tAAel\ e months ago, has returned to Dunedin, and has resumed 
practice in Stuart-street. He advertises that having pur- 
chased a supply of pure drugs in London, he intends dispense 
ing his 0 A\n medicines. This makes a second medical man 
Avho dispenses hisoAvn here, hitherto Ave have had “ only one ” 
— Dr. Martin. 
Mr. Shepperson is at present staying in Dunedin, repre- 
senting the Avell-knoAvn firm of Burroughs, Wellcome and Co., 
AA’hose various preparations he is introducing to the notice of 
the medical profession here. He is to give a demonstration 
of digestiAe terments at the Otago Medical Society’s meeting, 
to-night. 
^The stock, Ax., of Mr. J. D. Lightbourne, chemist, late of 
Waitaki, is advertised to be sold by auction at an early date 
by Messrs. A. M‘Kenzieand Co., auctioneers, Dunedin. 
The Avifeof Mr. E. S. Ellisdoii (of Sainsbury, Ellisdon and 
Co., Avholesale druggists), died on April 8th (Good Friday). 
I hear Mr. MTiorie has left Dunedin for Melbourne, having 
sold the business recently carried on by him at Caversham to 
Mr. Pickford, from Invercargill. 
NEW ZEALAND DRUG COMPANY. — ANNUAL REPORT. 
The directors have the pleasure to submit, for the approval 
of the shareholders, the balance-sheet and profit and loss 
account to the 31st January, 1887. 
The stock has been taken Avith the usual care, doubly 
checked throughout, and the accounts subjected to close 
insx>ection. 
The net profit for the year amounts to 833 19 4 
To Avhich has to be added the balance from last year . . 12,154 15 8 
Out of this the directors paid a di\'idend, 
on 31st January, 1880 i£2,923 9 8 
And an interim dividend was declared on 
31st July 2,923 9 8 
Before striking the balance for the present 
year, provision has been made for de- 
preciation on buildings, plant, and 
fixtures— on the total indebtedness, 
of the customers, on open accounts, 
and on bills — and also on stock for any 
fall in A'alues which might accrue .. £4,140 18 10 
Leaving a balance of 
Which it is proposed to apply in payment of a divi- 
dend, at the rate of 7 per cent, per annum to 31st 
January, 1887, amounting to 
And to carry forward the balance *. 
£22,938 15 0 
9.987 18 2 
13,000 16 10 
2,921 1 10 
£10,079 15 0 
The Compaiiy’s debentures, £17,400, which fell due 1st 
July, A\ere paid at maturity, and your directors are noAT 
placing a neAv issue of debentures on the London market. 
The dividend noAv recommended, if passed by the meeting, 
Avill he payable at the United Bank of Australia (Limited), at 
its branches thixughout the colony to colonial shareholders, 
on and after the 25th day of March, 1887, and to London 
shareholders at 82 Bishopgate-street, on receipt of advice. 
