THIS breezy historical romp comes from the pen of TV writer Russell T. Davies who, among other things, is credited for revitalising the BBC's Dr Who series.

Great Australian Historic Hotels By Barry Stone Allen & Unwin, 255pp, $29.99

Slashing traditional subjects won't bring the academic goals closer.

THE staff budget at Melbourne University's embattled historical studies school should be slashed by more than a third and academics who teach subjects with low student numbers should be targeted for redundancies, a confidential report recommends.

Science-fiction meeting Seeking attendees of the earliest meetings of science-fiction readers in NSW and material predating the 1952 Sydney convention. Findings will be discussed at the Sydney Freecon in November and shared with the historical group, Meteor Inc. Contact Garry Dalrymple, PO Box 152, Bexley North, 2207.