CO129-267 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1895 [4-6] — Page 276

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