LAWYER MAY GET N.Z.B.C. POST

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30678, 18 February 1965, Page 1

LAWYER MAY GET N.Z.B.C. POST

(From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, February 17. The name of Mr G. H. A. Swan, barrister and solicitor, of Wellington, is believed to be on the “very short list” for consideration as successor to Dr. F. J. Llewellyn as chairman of the Broadcasting Corporation.

This appointment must be made within a very short time, as Dr. Llewellyn’s term of office ends on March 31. The new chairman should be ready to proceed as from that date, according to a high official source, if corporation planning is to proceed smoothly.

The position is regarded as very difficult

to fill because of the qualities required. Apart from these, the new chairman should be resident in Wellington, should be either semi-retired or have other means of income, and should have a strong cultural as well as a business background. Mr Swan, who is 63, has

had a lifetime interest in drama and music, which brought his appointment last

year to the Queen Elizabeth H Arts Council.

He was secretary of the Wellington Repertory Theatre for 21 years, and took the initial step leading to the formation of the New Zealand Dram . Council. He was a member of the drama bursary committee of the Internal Affairs Department from its formation until 1955. On the promotion of the New Zealand Players Company he joined Richard and Edith Campion as a director of the company.

Mr Swan also helped found the Alex Lindsay String Orchestra. He has been en-

gaged in many other cultural pursuits. If Mr Swan is unable to accept the position, it could go to another Wellington member of the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council. These comprise the chairman (Mr G. G. Gibbes Watson), and Messrs R. S. V. Simpson, E. C. Marris and J. H. E. Schroder.

The duties of the chairman of the N.Z.B.C. comprise the chairmanship of a monthly meeting lasting two days, plus his availability to the Government and the corporation and his responsibility for corporation policy. The salary is £l5OO a year. On November 7, Dr. Llewellyn made a statement criticising Government policy in failing to allow the corporation to proceed with plans for a second television channel. On December 16, he notified the Government that he would not be available for reappointment, but this was not made known until about six weeks later.