about #600 locally for the purchase of stores which can be more readily and economically obtained here.
by
3.
are
The requisitions on the Crown Agents are framed in accordance with Article 275 of the Colonial Regulations.
The Government are well and economically served by the manufacturers whose goods have hitherto been supplied by the Crown Agents with the exception of the Society of Apothecaries and Mr J.J. Hicks. The Superintendent called attention to the excessive charges of the Society of Apothecaries for drugs in a letter dated 18th January, 1884, and the unreasonable charge for thermometers made by J.J. Hicks, reported in my letter of the 20th of March of this year. C.S.O. 2716 of 1895. In the latter case the Government paid 175% for the instruments exclusive of Crown Agents' commission, more than they would have done had the stores been obtained direct from the manufacturer.
The main objection to the Society of Apothecaries is that (a) no reduced charge is made for large quantities of drugs and (b) the Government has no option in respect of quality. In many instances the society only quote one price for a drug while other firms quote as many as four.
As directed by you I now submit a comparison of the prices quoted in the lists furnished by Messrs Hewlett + Son, and Messrs Burgoyne Burbidges