EXPERT ANALYST

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 126, 28 May 1918, Page 6

EXPERT ANALYST

AND MANUFACTURING CHEMIST. A SINE DIE DECISION. Osmond Bagley, of Morningeide, analyst and manufacturing chemist, today appealed to the First Auckland Service Board on the ground of public interest, as he could not be replaced. The appeal was supported by his employers, Messrs. Sliarlaiid and Co., who in a letter to the Commandant of the Forces, pointed out that it would be contrary to public interest that Bagley should join the forces, as he wae an analyst in the pharmaceutical department, and was also an expert manufacturer of various j medicinal preparations. He was parti'tularly essential in the firm's laboratory, ! where he could not be replaced. , Appellant, a member of B Class, j Second Division, said he had been six (years at hie special work in New Zealand, and he did standardising in certain lines. The chairman: Would it mean that your firm would stop manufacturing if you went away? —Well, it means that I lam essential in the making of particular lines, and these could not be made if I wss away. Appellant said he had obtained his training in England. He manufactured preparations that were greatly used. He knew of no man who could replace him. All the firm's manufacturing was done in Auckland. Major Conlan c-aid he had been approached by a returned soldier, who was represented to be qualified. MANAGER'S EVIDENCE. Frank llenshaw, manager of Shar land's, ■said the effect of Bagley's removal would mean that manufacturing in some lines would have to be ceased until they were able to make some arrangements to resume manufacturing. The factory manager would have to do the most important of the work, but that would be a very difficult matter, because the manager's time was so much required in managerial work. For the last two yearc, in fact, the manager had been overworked, this being brought about by the, fact that imports had ceased, and Various necessary pharmaceutical lines had to be therefore manufactured. These lines were essential medically. For the last few years they had been endeavouring , to get another analyst and manufacturer to increase the staff. Every effort had tailed. The analytical work was the scientific part of chemistry, and demanded more than the knowledge and training of an ordinary dispensing , chemist. IMPORTANT CLASSIFICATION. , To Major Conlan: There were three drug firms in Auckland. There were probably four men in New Zealand with the special qualifications of Mr Bagley; and employed similarly. Bagley could be called an expert. The chairman said that according to the Efliciency Board's classification an analytical chemist was important and essential. In reply to the chairman, who asked whther the firm's manufacturing was a public necessity, witness replied in the affirmative, and said that they manufactured and supplied articles that couid not be imported—articles tha* were used importantly by chemists, doctors and the Defence Department. The Board adjourned the appeal sine die. • *