The enmity between the two rival estate agents' organisations is well known. However, keeping an eye on the opposition has taken on a whole new meaning in the business since John P Younge was recently elected president of the Irish Auctioneers and Valuers Association. John's office at 32 Lower Pembroke Street looks directly into the offices of Liam O'Donnell, executive secretary of the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers. But then John has enough on his plate looking after a highly successful pub auctioneering business to bother spying on the opposition. Incidentally, the IPAV's timing for its annual conference was somewhat better than the opposition's (which had to cancel because of the foot and mouth epidemic): it reports heavy booking for the weekend after next at the Hodson Bay Hotel on the Shannon in Athlone.