Page 19 - Pharmacy History 34 February 2008

H T Gould & Co ( Tasmania)
Mr HT Gould was born near Newport, Isle of Wight, in 1855. He served his apprenticeship in Newport and after a period of learning at the Westminster College of Pharmacy, London, he passed the qualifying examination as a chemist and druggist. In 1878, he came to Hobart in Tasmania, to manage the pharmacy business of Dr Benjafield at the corner of Elizabeth and Bathurst Streets. Subsequently Dr Gibson, Mr Mason and FW Coleman were taken into partnership and the pharmacy was conducted under the style of Gould
& Co.
The firm rapidly grew, and was always noted for its policy of keeping abreast of the times. Every new medicine or sundry was stocked as soon as heard of, and their own proprietaries formed a large feature of the business. In 1890 they commenced distilling eucalyptus oil from the Tasmanian blue gum,
and the successes attending their efforts were marked. The oil from the blue gum was superior to that from other varieties of eucalyptus found
in Australia and was largely sought by chemists and doctors throughout the world. In the first nine months of manufacture, 25 gross of the one
Mr H T Gould
shilling bottles were sold over the counter. He sold the eucalyptus oil in bottles of 1s, 2s6d, 4s6d; also in tins for export all under the registered trade mark of the ‘Platypus’ brand.
For many years Mr Gould was prominently associated with the public life of the city. As an alderman of the city, Mr Gould carried out
his duties with conspicuous ability, and during his term was associated with many undertakings, prominent among which was the work of the Metropolitan Drainage Board. He was a justice of the peace for 29 years. He was one of the founders of the Homoeopathic Hospital, and was trustee and chairman of the financial committee of that institution. Mr Gould’s work in the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals,
in which he held the position of treasurer for many years, was as well known as his activities for the welfare of the Kennerley Boys’ Home and Benevolent Society.
Before coming to Tasmania he married Miss Alice Oldman, of Somerset, England. There were five children of the marriage – Miss May Gould, Mr JH Gould and Mr AW Gould and two other sons who predeceased him.
After a short illness, on the 6th of November, 1928, he died at his home, after which his eldest son, Mr JH Gould continued in the business.
volume 4 no 35 September 2008
Pharmacy History Australia 19