In a recent issue of "Salient". V.J.R. suggested that "some vacant wool store" be used for Varsity hops. This is an excellent suggestion. Wool stores make ideal halls for informal dances of the barn dance type, and the occasional functions of this type, such as the one held recently by the Plunket Society in a local store, are almost invariably successful.

There is, however, another use: indoor sports, which could be made of wool stores during the winter months when they are virtually empty. In many cases wool stores would provide almost ideal conditions for indoor sporting activities. In other cases minor modifications are required: extra lighting may be needed and provisions made for dressing rooms. Surely some arrangements can be made between the wool-broking firms and the controlling bodies of such sports as badminton, table tennis, indoor basketball, indoor bowls, boxing and fencing to make these places available for sports. The wool stores also have the advantage of usually being located in or near the centre of cities. By lending their wool stores to sporting organisations during the winter months, the woolbroking organisations would earn the gratitude of all citizens.

If, as it may well be, some of the present wool stores are not suitable for indoor sports, then at least any new building of this type contemplated could be designed with their off-season use as sports buildings in mind.

The problems confronting indoor sports organisations seeking accommodation is a most serious one. It is a matter that has been discussed both, in and out of Parliament recently, particularly by those who feel that by providing young people with adequate recreational facilities, delinquency, will cease, in Wellington the sports accommodation problem was worsened this year because the Winter Show Building, which provides at least some decent facilities (when it is not leaking). was closed for indoor sports halfway through the season. No alternative site was offered and one national tournament, table tennis, previously allocated to Wellington, had to be transferred to the Hutt Valley. That the position is no better in Auckland was seen at the recent Varsity Tournament—there were four small halls used for badminton and three different venues for table tennis.

The local Junior Chamber of Commerce are advocating the conversion of the present City Corporation Yard in Herd Street into an outdoor sports centre. While there is much merit in their plans, if wool stores could be used, there would be no need for their scheme, especially as the yard block could well be used for commercial or parking buildings.

The Winter Show Building, the only large building in Wellington used for indoor sport, is itself a wool store during the summer months. Surely this is adequate proof that multi-purpose buildings for wool and for sport are practical.

—J.T.S.