Glad Tidings of Great Joy

Mr. Nordmeyer, Minister of Finance in the present Cabinet, was present with Mr. Holyoake (Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Kitts (Mayor of Wellington) and other Government, City Council and University officials at the Graduand's supper, held in the Little Theatre on the evening before capping. The Vice-Chancellor (Dr. Williams) in reply to the toast to the University, paved the way for the announcement by the Chancellor the next evening at the Capping Ceremony; the Chancellor, Mr. T. D. M. Stout, at that gathering, told the audience of the Government's decision to grant approval for the calling of tenders for the new Student Union Building, so long on the drawing boards. The building, to cost some £260,000, will include a cafeteria and meeting rooms and what has been described by authorities as "probably the finest little theatre in the country". The gymnasium, originally proposed to be an integral part of the Union building, will now be built on a site to the south of the present building. A public appeal for contributions (some £30,000 will be needed) for this separate building will be made after construction on the Union building proper has begun.

The present wooden gymnasium building, standing above the tennis courts, will probably be demolished within a few months to enable the contractors to begin excavating; the Students' Union office and Executive files will be transferred to temporary accommodation in the new Science Block. A problem of providing training grounds and facilities for clubs which practice in the present gymnasium is currently being looked into by the Executive. Some eighteen months to two years is the estimated period of building for the Union, and unless alternative accommodation is provided, many clubs will be unable to continue their activities.