336 
ROYAL COLLEGE OF VETERINARY SURGEONS. 
A letter was received from a chemist residing in Boston, Lincoln¬ 
shire, accompanying some specimens of oegrophiles, said to be from the 
stomach of a ewe sheep. 
On the motion of Mr. Cartledge , a vote of thanks was awarded to the 
donor. 
The Secretary announced that a letter had been received from Sir 
James Gell, Attorney-General, Castletown, Isle of Man, in which he 
expressed a wish to be furnished with a register of qualified members; 
and that a copy of the register had been sent to him accordingly. 
The Secretary also intimated that a long letter had been received from 
the same gentleman with reference to the sale of poisons. Some con¬ 
versation arose on this subject, and it was considered that it had more 
reference to the Pharmaceutical Society than to the College of Veterinary 
Surgeons. 
On the motion of Mr. Reynolds, seconded by Prof. Pritchard , it was 
resolved to refer the subject to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. 
The Retiring Secretary. 
Mr. Pray , referring to the retirement of Mr. Coates, said that after 
his long services as Secretary, which had been very faithfully per¬ 
formed, and looking to the high moral integrity characterising Mr. 
Coates, he would propose that £30 be granted to him annually for the 
term of his natural life. 
Mr. Fleming said he had great pleasure in seconding the motion. 
Mr. Gowing explained that Mr. Coates’s salary was £150, and that 
the salary of the new secretary was fixed at £120; according to this 
arrangement, therefore, he thought that the pension for the retiring 
secretary could be amply provided for. 
Mr. Morgan questioned whether it would be legal for the Council to 
grant an annuity. He had nothing to say, except in favour of Mr. 
Coates and the manner in which he had performed his duties ; but it 
would be dangerous to establish a precedent such as was now proposed. 
Mr. Pray said he was quite willing to modify his resolution. If the 
Council thought proper to grant a sum annually, he would be quite 
willing to agree to it. 
Mr. Fleming pointed out that there was nothing in the charter to 
prevent the Council granting an annuity. It rested with the Council 
whether it should be an annuity or an annual grant. Perhaps it would 
be safer to make it an annual grant. 
Mr. Harpley suggested that it would, perhaps, be better to make a 
grant to Mr. Coates at once of a hundred guineas, by way of bonus. 
He merely threw out that suggestion for discussion. He had a desire, 
as he had no doubt the other members of the Council had, to do some¬ 
thing for the benefit of Mr. Coates on his retirement, considering that 
he had served them so well. 
Mr. Morgan seconded Mr. Harpley’s proposal. 
Professor Walley said he was anxious that something should be done 
in recognition of Mr. Coates’s services, but if he were granted an annuity 
of £30, the new secretary would stand no possible chance of improving 
his position as time went on. 
Mr. Fleming pointed out that a hundred guineas was a very small 
sum to award to the secretary, considering his long services. 
Gowing said that he would willingly hold up his hand for 
^^>ut the question was whether or not the Council could afford it. 
^^Taylor thought that long and faithful services were worthy of 
He wished to ask on what ground the late Mr. Gabriel 
whether it was annual; and he should like to know 
