Booksellers Sweet and Maxwell have made a conditional purchase of the house and property at 10 Kelburn Parade. The section adjoins the area zoned for university expansion.

The purchase is conditional on Sweet and Maxwell obtaining authority from the Wellington City Council to operate a bookshop on the premises.

As The property is in a residential zone the City Council's authority is essential for the proposed change in the use of the land.

If the City Council approves, Sweet and Maxwell intend converting the house to bookshop suitability. By the beginning Of the 1968 academic year the firm hopes to offer an extensive range of university books at the Kelburn Parade address.

At present Sweet and Maxwell have no intention of setting up a second-hand book service. This remains a future possibility, depending on space available.

An extension in the firm's range of university books is planned. Science and mathematics are proposed additional lines.

Student discount rates of 10 per cent would continue to apply on textbooks and recommended reading. A spokesman for Sweet and Maxwell, Mr. Maben. said an increase in discount would not be possible in view of the New Zealand Booksellers' Association agreement on discount rates.

If the firm's application is approved, students will have the closest-to-campus book retail service the university has known.

Initiative for the move has come from Sweet and Maxwell themselves. Mr. Maben told Salient. "We want to provide a service. If we don't, you can kick us out."