DUKE VISITS DAM SITE

Press, Volume C, Issue 29682, 28 November 1961, Page 6

DUKE VISITS DAM SITE

Strike Halted For Visit

(IV Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) FREETOWN (Sierra Leone*. Nov. 26. An unofficial strike at the Guma Valley Dam project outside Freetown was settled temporarily yesterday so the Duke of Edinburgh’s visit to the site would not be affected, reported Reuter. The Duke drove : 12 miles to a iitility vehicle to the site through hills and rough roads which were so steep that on same occasions vehicles in the eonvoy almost turned over. When the Puke visited the site, blasting and tunnelling were continuing normally and’ he was not: told of .the strike, said ' the Associated Press. The Guma Dam, which will be completed in 1965 at a cost of £4.500,000, will pro- 1 vide Freetown with a fresh water supply. It is the biggest industrial project in the country at the moment. While the Duke spent the afternoon at the dam site, the Queen took part in a colourful parade when she presented new colours to the Royal Sierra Leone Regiment before. 15,000 people. During the ceremony about a dozen people fell when a tree branch on which they were sitting collapsed. Noone was hurt. The Queen was given a golden brooch, which she pinned on her dress. In the evening the Royal couple gave a reception to Commonwealth high commissioners and diplomats. Their only engagement today is a morning service at St. George’s Cathedral.