Dear Sir,—We have just returned from an Easter Tournament in which we were unquestionably and crushingly defeated. One immediate reaction in for non-participants to blame teams. This criticism is neither wise nor Just. The weaknesses are obvious and may be condensed into two points—lack of numbers available to be drawn upon, and lack of facilities. There are over two thousand students at Vic. Of these, over half are part-timers who by choice or necessity let the Varsity and its sport take second place. Then there are a number of long-haired intellectuals or socialites who shudder at the thought of a hard training schedule or a tight scrum. What is left is a small group of enthusiasts who make the only material, good or bad, available for Tournament teams. If most Vic students were to devote a reasonable amount of their time to sport for the pleasure of just doing that and not thinking of the big returns from it we would inevitably enter stronger and better trained teams from the wealth of competition that would arise in the College.

The lack of facilities is painfully obvious to all Vic sportsmen. We lack a decent ground of our own. It is not encouraging for runners to have to train at awkward hours, on cramped grass stretches without a track, and with hostile park-keepers to avoid as well. Training Coll, had the use of Kelburn Park for two or three afternoons. We had it for two hours on Monday evening. And so it is with other sports many of them, furthermore, lack coaches. It is not a coincidence that Rugby, cricket and boxing with their better facilities and coaching are among the strongest sports in Vic This is a far cry from Otago University, which has magnificent grounds, ample coaching in all games, and a Thursday afternoon during which all lectures cease for sport.

The remedy [unclear: lies] in the hands of a number of groups. At the top level, the Council alone can grant us the necessary ground space. The big shots, too are largely responsible for the lack of coaching. But it rests with every student to take a bit more pride and interest in Vic and its sporting activities.

Dear Sir—"Five Day Week" whose letter was printed in your last issue, quite [unclear: obviously misunderstands] the point of my letter [unclear: which appeared] in the "Salient" of the twenty-fifth of March. He criticises me quite unjustifiably for my reluctance to give up certain "Friday night Conviviality." I say unjustifiably because there is absolutely no reason why the Friday Economics I lecture should not be held at five o'clock as it is on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, instead of seven o'clock if there were any good reason why five o'clock on Friday is unsuitable for a lecture I would have no grounds for complaint, and in that case "Five Day Week's" criticism would be justified. But. Mr. Editor, as there is no reason at all why this should be so I think I am justified in remaining

Dear Sir,—Solomon recently complained bitterly about the terrible quality of the pianos on which he played in New Zealand. Except for some in Japan, apparently. New Zealand pianos were the worst he played on in the world it seems we are doing our best to discourage visiting pianists and in fact to kill any musical appreciation among ourselves. One would have thought that the University, at least, could provide a decent piano for its music students Can Mr. Page, therefore, explain why music students should be forced to perform on a piano which can be regarded favorably only as an antique and a rather rickety one at that, while the esoteric pleasures of a selected few (and, possibly. Mr. Page's own personal ambitions) should be catered for by the acquisition of a harpsichord. Is Victoria College so abnormally impoverished—and lacking in sense? Auckland Varsity first acquired a good piano and then a harpsichord—both better than ours. Can't something be done? The present state of affairs reflects no credit either on the Music Department or on the College itself.

To The Editor

Dear Sir,—With reference to the letter to you in your issue of April 2nd concerning the Freshers' Welcome, I am willing to be one of the panel of three unbiased judges of the matters at issue. Whether I am "learned", or not is a point upon which my natural reticence demurs Putting levity on one side. I do think that this is a matter which should be investigated. in many organisations it is an exhortation to those in charge of the initiation or inaugural function that "first impressions are the most durable." and I think that this applies equally cogently to any similar function at V.U.C.

Unfortunately we live in an age where it is considered clever to mock at religion or its devotees, and to hall as a sign of intelligent development, reference to that which is risque or appertaining to sex or its perversion. History proves that universal indulgence in this, followed by the appropriate physical action, has led to the decline of Empires. Yet, on the other hand, one must be open-minded, not a bigot or an enthusiast but definitely not a "smut-devotee." But the very nature of the Freshers' Welcome should demand an approach to new students that will dignify V.U.C. and make them feel that they have made intellectual progress by their enrollment Freshers as yet [unclear: unacclimatised] to the opinions and bravado of fellow students of previous years' enrollment are but the ambassadors of the public. Their parents are the public and the avenue of public opinion What is the logical question they ask their son or daughter on return home after this introduction to V.U.C.? is it not after the nature of "What do you think of it, or how do you enjoy your new sphere? At that stage of their University life, what must be the answer. They may adapt themselves to V.U.C. life, but the answer to that first question has been publicised beyond recall.

Now, Sir, this leads me to another point brought to my notice by your report that "a Committee has been appointed to control" the capping procession proper and constituting that Committee a body for advice to those contemplating floats for that procession. This is a day when V.U.C. through its students is on parade before the public Let us have a capping procession worthy of the occasion. Away with the sexual suggestion, pornography, crudity, tap-room and ill-preparation of years past Finesse is the art of bridge, and may I suggest that it should be the art of the capping procession.

Many things have happened internationally, politically and socially during the past year. We have had a Royal tour and with all respect to the Royal couple, many scenes could be depicted on those "who ride first class through life on a second class ticket." The "common herd" would acclaim such charades. Remember, too that a "home-made" sign or motto in chalk or daub should debar that lorry. You must get your Joke or skit over to the public. Anything on the tail-board of your lorry is wasted and leaves the public cold. That float, is wasted and reacts against the [unclear: procession] as a whole.

Let this committee of yours, Mr. Salient, work out the skits and stunts to a detail and to applicants be able to say "These are what are left, take your pick; but if you have any other bright ideas let us O.K. them." Let this Committee not only control the procession but supervise it even to the point of acting as censor. Only then and not until then will the public lift its eyes to V.U.C. perched on Salamanca heights.

Weir Rugby

Dear Sir,—May I through your columns congratulate the Weir House football team on their fine victory against Athletic in the opening match of the season. Their bright style of play pleased the spectators immensely. I wish this team every success for the rest of the games this season.

Fresher's Welcome

Dear Sir,—I also am amazed at the attitudes of "Agopanthus" and "Pro Bono Victoria" regarding the Freshers Welcome.

As another fresher I welcomed the "initiation" as a piece of good, "clean" Varsity fun and therefore am only too pleased to add my name to those who are prepared to defend the actions of these two upstanding members of our community.

Dear Sir,—I cannot understand why Junior Rationalist should think it necessary to append the adjective to his pseudonym. His champion myth-squashers could not have been less wisely chosen. The Darwinian Idea of acquired characters has long since been thrown overboard by post-Mendelian concepts of heredity. The Freudian nonsense is quietly being put aside, and lately, thank goodness, openly opposed by modern psychologists As for Nietzche, surely we are not expected to ponder over the outbursts of a megalomaniac.

What are the views of scientists on the, compatibility of science and religion? Of natural philosophers, [unclear: Oppenheimer]. Einstein. Eddington, Born, Hoyle and Jeans, only Hoyle has suggested that science has made religion unnecessary.

Religion is not the blind following of beliefs laid down by great men like Christ or Gautama, or foolish men like Marx or Lysenko. It is the belief that this universe is controlled by God and is not a chaotic machine.

It matters little whether we burn all the bibles and close all the churches, a longish recess of the latter I feel would do a great deal of good. But until a blade of grass is created in the laboratory, and until the mathematicians can find equations for love and even laughter. I shall never be convinced that man controls everything except his own stupidity.