DEAD IN BOAT

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 78, 29 September 1930, Page 9

DEAD IN BOAT

SIR JOHN GRIFFITHS

INDICATION OF SUICIDE

ASSUAN DAM AFFAIR

United Tress Association —By Eloctrio Tolo- | graph—Copyright. CAIRO, 27th September. TJuclcr: somewhat extraordinary circumstances, the death took place here of Lieutenant-Colonel Sir John NortonGriffiths, governing director of tho wellknown London firm of Norton-Griffiths and Co., public works, contractors. Sir John Norton-Griffiths was seen to go out in a small boat from Eamlch in the morning. He paddled for some distance, thon obsorvers ashore noticed that the boat was drifting apparently unoccupied. Swimmers hastened to the spot and a police launch examined-the boat. They found Sir John Griffiths lying in the bottom of tlio boat dead from a bullet wound in the ri^ht temple.' Sir John Griffiths came to Egypt to clean up a dispute between the Egyptian Government and his firm regarding the Assuan Dam heightening contract, the British engineers alleging that it v.-as impossible to carry,.on in the face of constant pin-pricks and obstruction arising; from tho incompetence of inexperienced Egyptian inspectors. Work was suspended last week, Sir John Norton-Griffiths stating that no other course was open for the protection of the firm's reputation. The Egyptian Government- alleged that the work was not proceeding at proper speed. It was known that Sir John- Norton-Griffiths'was very worried.