Apothecary to the Civil Hospital, Hong Kong -
The replies to the advertisement for the Civil Hospital, Hong-Kong apothecary have been received from several candidates.
There are two excellent candidates, and the Brewster does not think that they could be improved upon. The younger of the two is 22 years of age, unmarried; after having attended the Louth Grammar School he served with Messrs. Hand and Son, Pharmaceutical Chemists at Louth, for 5 years and gained quick practical experience in dispensing medicines, the manufacture of chemical preparations, and also in book-keeping.
He gained the first Jacob Bell Scholarship (worth about £50) which indicates that he is the best man of his year. Since then he has been engaged in the scientific study of Chemistry, Botany, and Materia Medica in the School of Pharmacy, Bloomsbury Square. He has excellent testimonials as to character and proficiency. Professor Attfield speaks in high terms of his work and vouches for his proficiency in analysis.
He has also obtained a silver medal at the School of Pharmacy for analytical work.
The other candidate is 30 years of age, married, and has children. He is a manufacturing chemist and has good testimonials. He is of mature age and has considerable experience.
The question is whether to appoint the younger or the older candidate. The appointment implies that a single man is preferred as the quarters are intended for a single man.
Cleaver (Secretary to the Pharmaceutical Society) makes the point that the appointment is a valuable one and it is probable that Cleaver wishes to leave and establish himself as a public analyst, gradually building up a practice.
Both candidates appear to be suitable, and it is difficult to decide between them except that the younger candidate is more likely to be content with the subordinate position of apothecary to a hospital.
The fact that he is unmarried is in his favour.
HW. J 30 July 1883.
Page 53
July 83.
I think that the younger candidate is suitable for the position.
HW. J 30 July 83.