Knock 'em

Sir—Hostels are being planned all over the place for students, but are hostels wanted by students? Or are they really suited to the needs of the students?

There are fixed meal hours and a host of other regulations. These could completely upset quite a few students. Some may like a stroll at 2 a.m. before carrying on with their work. Others may be naturally adverse to having meals in large groups or to having anything to do with large organisations. There are those who like privacy, and an absence of this could disturb them.

Perhaps a huge block of flats should be built. Modern self-contained flats could be ideal for many people. These should be built for students only and should be furnished accordingly. A multitude of flats of a respectable standard say in a 20-storey building, and close to the university, with reasonable rents, Would fulfil the needs of many.

The usual objection to any idea of building in Wellington is the shortage of space. I have a suggestion. Opposite the Easterfieid building, on the other side of Kelburn Parade, there are many old wooden buildings. The whole row of these houses could be brought down and replaced by one huge edifice. Parking space could be provided on the bottom floor. The next floor perhaps could be occupied by necessary university offices, while the rest of the building could be full of small modern flats which would provide independence, privacy when desired, close access to society.

Yours, Narenda Nagin.