Obituary

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31230, 30 November 1966, Page 16

Obituary

MR G. H. MIRAMS A former film censor and registrar of films in New Zealand and member of the secretariat of U.N.E.S.C.O. in Paris, Mr Gordon Holden Mirams has died in Wellington at the age of 57. Born in Christchurch, Mr Mirams was educated at Christ’s College and graduated with a M.A. degree from the University of Canterbury. He was New Zealand’s leading film critic for many years and while film censor for the Department of Internal Affairs (1950-59) was responsible for introducing a more liberal policy towards censorship.

Mr Mirams held a post with U.N.E.S.C.O. in 1948-49 and returned to join the mass communications section of the organisation in 1959. He retired from U.N.E.S.C.O. and returned to Wellington this year.

Mr Mirams’s activities ranged from journalism to film criticism and international civil service.

He was a reporter on the Christchurch “Sun” from 1927-35 and was director of publicity from 1935-37 for the J. C. Williamson Corporation He was on the staff of the “Radio Record” from 1937-39, and in 1939 joined the New Zealand “Listener” as chief sub-editor.

At this time he gained recognition as New Zealand’s leading film critic, signing himself “G.M.”

Mr Mirams was, at different times, chairman of the education and publicity commission of C.0.R.5.0., and chairman of the New Zealand Peace Pledge Union. He was first chairman of the New Zealand Film Institute and the Wellington Film Society. From 1942-45 he was official journalist to the New Zealand Campaign for Christian Order, and published a survey of films and film making, “Speaking Candidly.” A keen swordsman, he helped introduce fencing to New Zealand and was captain and champion of the Wellington Swords Club. He was vice-president of the New Zealand Amateur Fencing Association.

Mr Mirams is survived by his wife, three daughters, and a son.