Two Day Conference

Samples of 'spirit' taken recently in this area show that it ,is not uncommon to find spirit with a flash point below 23°C being transported from the distillery to the bond store for the maturing process. We also found that several road tankers are in use transporting spirit with a flash point as low as 58°F or 14.4°C. Hoping to have been of some service, Weights and Measures Dept., Alloa. Sean P. Cunningham.

Self-Service I read with interest the letter on Self-Service by Mr. J. R. Domony in the April issue of 'The Bulletin' and whilst I view his comments on the marketing aspects of self-service through note and coin acceptors with a certain degree of scepticism, having recently been saved from running out of petrol ,in the wilds of Cornwall, I am, however, delighted to find that from a safety point of ¥iew Mr. Domony has no fault to find, and I hope his experience will serve to change the attitude of those authorities who said 'We do not care what the others are doing, this is wrong and we will have none of it'. He now joins the ranks of the Home Office, the AP.AA, who support these systems and of course, the G.L.C. London S.W.I. A L. E. Nap.

OUR FIRST

By A. Archer, Esq., A.M.!.F.E., Chief Fire Officer, Walsall

TWO

The resolution passed last year to hold a two day Annual General Meeting and Conference of the Association .Is to be applauded as is the choice of the venue for the occasion. Both were an unqualified success. The venue being the most delightful town of Shrewsbury which situated as it is geographically, and with reasonable access by road and rail proved to be well chosen from the travel point of view.

The official welcome at the Music Hall by the Mayor of Shrewsbury, Alderman Mrs. E. M. Parsonage, set the tone for a successful meeting. The Annual General Meeting was a lively discourse centred round the problems of the reorganisation of Local Government which takes place in 1974. It was pleasing also to have Mr. R. P. Holdaway elected to the chair on his home ground of Shrewsbury, I am sure a very popular election.

The Annual General Meeting was successfully concluded by lunch time giving the members the opportunity of taking lunch and refreshment at will. This period proved most satisfactory socially, enabling old colleagues to reminisce, and new acquaintances to be made. It also provided an informal background for more serious discussion of current and future problems, always an invaluable session.

The mood of professionalism deepened ,in the afternoon, and .the paper that was given by Mr. W.M.C. Jones, M.Eng., F.I.C.E., M.I.Mech.E., was of a high standard and of great interest to all present. Mr. Jones' experience with industry both at home and abroad together with that gained at the Department of Trade and Industry gave us a further understanding and insight into this increased field of activity. The forum which followed ranged over the wide aspect of the work involved in Petroleum Administration, and was chaired by Professor G. J. Jeacocke, M.Sc., Ph.D., F.R.I.C., of the

DAY CONFERENCE

Home Office Inspectorate, in his usual able and exuberant manner.

On the second day Mr. D. J. Comley, RSc., C.Eng., enlightened the members in a most insructive and interesting manner on the problems of Liquefied Petroleum Gas plant systems, a problem which is of widening and continuing interest to all in the petroleum administration field.

The Civic Reception provided by the Corporation of Shrewsbury for members and their ladies was a huge success, members being met by the Mayor and Mayoress, and the entertainment, 'Songs from the Shows', provided during the evening by the 'Portland Singers' was of a very high standard. This opportunity for the ladies to be present was welcomed, and although the attendance was good perhaps it could be encouraged further ,in the future.

As so often is the case at Seminars, Conferences and similar professional meetings, it is during the informal periods, such as the Civic Reception, when so much knowledge, information and anecdotes are imparted. It ,is true to say that one probably learns more from colleagues in an informal atmosphere, than one could acquire in the Lecture Room or from pages of a formidable technical tome.

It was certainly evident as the evening progressed that many anecdotes were recounted, and I think these were probably due to the refreshments flowing from the Bar.

The Conference reflected a deep interest and concern by the members for the Association, its work, and its future. I am sure that its position as a professional body was enhanced by the proceedings which took place in Shrewsbury.