OTAGO PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11398, 15 April 1899, Page 6

OTAGO PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION.

At a meeting of the committee of iho'Otago FliarniHrmilieal Association held on Wednesday evening it was decided to hold the annual meeting on the evening of Wednesday, 19th insl. Arrangements wore also completed for holding the annual KliemixlH1 dinner on Wednesday, 20tli iiist., llic linal ;imu:-;-.ii;>»U being left in the luiiklk of the Kecrulary. The draft copy of the annual report was agreed to us follows : —

Your committee have much pleasure m presenting the iirsit luiiiiuil vcporl of the Olugo Plmrnmccutical Association.,.which wus formed in May ol last year :il a- inirethit; of Die trudo held in llio U.C.C. Rooms, llii;h ulvcet. At the first meeting of the association, held at the Chamber of.-Commerce Hoo.ns on Juno 9, rules and regulations wore prepared iind upproved of, uml officc-bciirei-H were elected, all of whom now retire by eliluxion of time The association proved from tyie start to bo a felt want, and the members, of tlie trade, both wholesale iiud retuil, have almost umuimiously joined. The committee have arranged and carried out monthly meetings alternately of a social and educational nature for the benefit of members; but it will be well within the powers of the incoming committee to go a step further by milking tho rooms even more popular now that the smccps3 of the association is assured. It is very'gratifying to tho committee to know that, with very lew exceptions, the monthly meetings have been well attended. I'ho rooms of the association, which nro centrally situated, iiroiwoll furnished, and arc very warm in winter and cool in summer. The nucleus of a useful library has been formed, partly by donations from "members aucl by a number of educational.works .taken over from tho .old association,.-while the walls uro covered with handsome pictures, the, gilts of friends. The committee feel somewhat disappointed that the younger members have not availed themselves of tho advantages of tho room to the extent thut they might Imvc.

Picnic.—The chemists' picnic, winch was heici at I'ortobcllo on tho 15th February, was a thorough success, and it is pleasing to know thut it was the largest picnic that "the trade huvo ever hold in Dunodin,-every member of the retail trade having closed "his place of business for tho day. Perhaps tho success of tiio picnic was due in a great measure to the liberality shown by niiiny members and friends of the trade, who donated handsome prizes to tho sports.

Cricket.—The annual cricket matcn was again revived, and further added to tho pleasant memories of tho first yesr of the association. It wns won by tho Wholesale team by the narrow margin of 5 runs after an exciting game. Pharmacy Bill.—The mutter which the committee gave a great deal of consideration to was tho discussion of the Pharmacy Bill of 1898. A very lengthy report was friuned by. the representatives of the retail trade, for the guidance of our local members of Parliameut, but, unfortunately, the opinions of this association wore not given effect to—probably owing to the hurried wny in which the bill was passed through the House.

Shortening Hours.—This is another matter .which was advocated by the members, and although your committee went into the- matter and tried to bring about a uniform closing hour among the retailers, the movement was not crowned with tho success it deserved. However, this is a matter that should not be lo3t sight of by the incoming committee. Pharmacy Classes.—This-ia one of the principal successes carried out by the committee, and it 13 gratifying to know that we have among our own members one—Mr D. White—who has the necessary qualifications to successfully carry out these classes. The classes are being largely attended by young assistants, who were quite unable to get the necessary coaching in tho past for tho examinations by the Pharmacy Board. Mr Niven (of the Technical School stall) has also a special chemistry class for, pharmacy students, which is well attended. Finance.—lt is interesting to know that although there has been considerable expenditure during tho first year, a substantial balance of close on £20 will, be carried forward, and this is greatly duo to the generosity of our president in having paid the first year's rent of the- rooms.

Thanks.—The thanks of the committee arc duo to Messrs W. Goodlot, Henry, and others for their assistance at tho monthly meetings, during the year. The association haa been-a means of forming friendship among many of tho trade, who were formerly unknown or antagonistic to jOne another. It has furthered the interests of tlie younger aspirants to tho craft,';and it has been a source of intellectual and social enjoyment, wliilo at the same time it is a powerful lever ill matters of legislation where its individual members would bo practically powerless. In conclusion, your committee hope that the association will still continue to receive the support of the trade generally/and that the reforms that have been initiated during the year will be vigorously carried out by the incoming committee.