Extrav needs constructive criticism

Sir—The brief respite afforded Salient readers by the reviewer of "The Crucible", is over, and we are once again forced to read reviews which could have been constructed far more efficiently by n college pupil. Your critic, in his review of "Extrav 68" opens with a sweeping generalisation—"Three or more, a chaotic bore":—A Miss! Later on he comments on the second half of the show (for the most part of which in excess of twelve cast members were on stage) and delivers his weighty evaluation—"On the whole it was enjoyable"—A Hit!

Surely, with an annual revue such as "Extrav", constructive criticism which succeeding producers could utilise to the benefit of the show is worth far more than such destructive self-contradiction.

I am etc. R. A. Green.

More God

Sir—These Christian bods (K. P. Perry for those historically minded) become more ingenious each year with their tales of divine revelation. Who else but they have the gall to say that though their last theory was wrong the answer is still right. Explanations of mysteries previously assigned to you know who are greeted by joyous cries that the aforesaid is even greater than previously believed. The more you shall know the less you shall know is the word. As long as these Christian chappies have imaginations (bloody vivid ones) they will continue to plague the rest of US plebs with the latest in revelation. Why don't they have a mass suicide and save themselves the suspense of waiting.

Me? I'll have this world thank you. Dying? Me? Gloop! Father I have sinned . . . .

Yours unrepentantly, David Grant

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.

No space

Sir—Something that is becoming increasingly more obvious is the difficulties one encounters in finding a satisfactory, legal, car parking space in the vicinity of this university.

Recently I received a traffic offence notice for parking in the zone restricted for motor cycles in Kelburn Parade, even though the time was 4.30 p.m. and only about one quarter of this tone was being used.

On Wednesday, 22 May at 3.00 p.m. I made some observations in Kelburn Parade and at a conservative estimate there was room in this restricted zone for another 70 motor cycles. However, the owners of 32 motor cycles found it necessary to park outside their allocated space, and in so doing deprived 15 car users of satisfactory parking spaces.

I do not begrudge the motor cyclists their parking area, hut I write this letter to bring attention to the ignorance or tnoughtlessness of the large number of motor cyclists attending this university.

M. J. Higgs.

Malik

Sir—With reference to your item captioned "Buchanan Tells International Club he won't listen," can I make the two following points:

First, may I express the hope that the International Club does not make a habit of handing out for publication personal letters it may receive (would the Club have forwarded to you my letter if I had accepted the invitation?); secondly, since I have had the opportunity to read a good many of the utterances and policy statements of Mr. Malik and his colleagues in the press of Malaysia and Singapore, as well as in English and French newspapers, the innuendo in your captioning was quiet unnecessary.

Yours faithfully, Keith Buchanan.

[I agree with you that the International Club is unlikely to have found your acceptance newsworthy.−ed.]