THE CONFERENCE OF COMMONWEALTH SURVEY OFFICERS 1963

Abstract

The eighth Conference of Commonwealth Survey Officers, the fifth since the War, was held at the Department of Geography, Cambridge, from Monday July 22nd to Wednesday July 31st. It was attended by over 300 delegates, an increase of 50 per cent on the 1959 Conference, but the total numbers present at any one session never exceeded 200. About half the delegates came from overseas, mostly from Commonwealth Survey departments, and most of these stayed for the whole Conference. Many were nationals of newly independent countries and they made a substantial contribution to the discussions. There were representatives of several European countries, a particularly strong party from the United States, and a six-man delegation from South Africa. About 40 members were present for the whole time. While the majority of all delegates were from Government departments, the universities and commercial firms were also well represented. Most of the delegates stayed in Pembroke and Emmanuel Colleges; those with wives stayed either in hotels or hostels, but took lunch and dinner in College. Altogether 50 wives were present, a considerable increase on previous occasions; and in addition to the usual sightseeing tours round Cambridge a special all-day trip by river to Ely and back was arranged for them.