RADIO CENTRE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23527, 16 June 1938, Page 9

RADIO CENTRE

conservator™ of music BUILDING FOR WELLINGTON WORK ON FINAL PLANS (Per United Press Association) 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 (Mr 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 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 a 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 the architects were now preparing the final plans and working drawings. ’ “The broadcasting centre,” Mr Jones said, “ will become the headquarters of the broadcasting service and also provide such studios and office space as are necessary for the Wellington national The building has been designed with an eye to the gradual development of a Conservatorium of Music, which is so badly needed in New Zealandto 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 was of a highly specialised nature, owing to its unusual demands for acoustic properties as well as the safeguarding of the building against earthquake.