273
but af
Well fel.
Halw
competent for this duty the payment of higher rates to
avoid risks as to quality cannot but be regarded as a
wsate of public money especially as the security aimed at
puredins
is purely problematical,
st
my former letter mention was made of the fact that
he Society of Apothecaries allow no option in respect of
quality. The term neaicines is a very elastic one and in-
gludes a large number of so-called arugs which are not
used solely for remedial purposes; therefore in many cases
he Pharmacopoeial or the best quality in the market is not
necessary. I submit that the only judges in this matter
are those whose experience on foreign service enables them
to form an opinion.
leckett
6.
Again, the Society of Apothecaries makes no reduction
for large quantities of drugs. A single instance will suf-
fice. Their charge for half a ton of Linseed Meal is £8 nett.
Messrs. Burgoyne Burbiages & Co. ( one of the firms allud-
ea to in my letter of the 20th. October) quote #7-5 less 5
the red to 15 per cent discount.
For this
7..
Although no complaint was made concerning chemicals
I may again state that the Government has been well and
economically served by the manufacturers whose goods have
hitherto been supplied. Unlike the Society of Apothecaries
Messrs. Howards & Sons ( Chemicals) as well as Messrs.
Maw Son & Thompson ( Sunaries ) allow the Government spe-
cial extra discounts.
ૐ.
Concerning the complaint as to the cost of Clinical
thermometers I am far from satisfied with the explanation
furnished by the Crown Agents and Mr. Hicks. The following
are the facts of the case. In October 1898 I received Qi-
rect