A BROADCASTING CENTRE

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22429, 16 June 1938, Page 10

A BROADCASTING CENTRE

CONSTRUCTION NEAR PARLIAMENT PLANS ANNOUNCED BY MINISTER CONSERVATORIES! OF MUSIC t (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, June 15. The intention of the Government to proceed as soon as possible with the construction of a broadcasting centre on a site behind Parliament Buildings, was announced by the Acting-Minister in Charge of Broadcasting (the Hon. F. Jones) this evening. Provision will be made in the new building for the gradual development of a conservatorium of music and for the future installation of a short-wave' station and television. Mr Jones said that the broadcasting centre was to be a building of several storeys. Museum street was to be closed and the new building, which would face Bowen street, would occupy the site at the rear of Parliament Buildings now partly occupied by the old wooden building formerly used as the Dominion Museum. The general plans of the broadcasting centre had been approved by the Cabinet, and architects were now preparing final plans and working drawings.

“The broadcasting centre,” said Mr Jones, “will become the headquarters of the broadcasting service, and also provide such studios and office space as are necessary for the Wellington national stations. The building has been designed with an eye to the gradual development of a conservatorium of music, which is so badly needed in New Zealand, to serve the interests of broadcasting and to co-ordinate the musical activities of the Dominion. It is not anticipated that any ambitious conservatorium scheme will be launched, but that it will be allowed to grow as the needs of the Dominion demand, with the collaboration, it is hoped, of the Education Department, the university, and cultural organisations.” Mr Jones said it was expected that tenders would be called for the new building in about three months’ time. The design and construction of such a building were of a highly specialised nature because of the unusual demands for acoustic properties, as well as the safeguarding of the building against earthquake.