Independence For Sierra Leone

Press, Volume C, Issue 29499, 28 April 1961, Page 13

Independence For Sierra Leone

(N.Z Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 10 p.m.) FREETOWN, April 27. The Union Jack was hauled down at midnight as Sierra Leone raised her own green, white and blue flag to celebrate freedom after 150 years of British rule.

Crowds rushed into the streets of the old city founded by free slaves and rockets burst high over the town.

A mammoth fireworks display completed a week of celebrations after a solemn ceremony in Brookfields Stadium. Associated Press reported.

Ships in the harbour turned on their sirens to mark the joyful occasion and. throughout the city, night clubs went into all night celebration One club, the Flamingo. advertised “midnight till unconscious.”

The ceremony lasted a little more than an hour. Massed bands of the Sierra Leone Regiment and the police and British naval band provided music for a searchlight tattoo.

After drills and a physical training exhibition, the old Sierra Leone Regiment turned its flags over to another unit of the regiment dressed in the new Sierra Leone uniforms—white coats and black trousers with red stripes. With the Prime Minister, Sir Milton Margai in the official stand were the Governor-General (Sir Maurice Dormant, formerly Governor of the colony and protectorate. and the Duke of Kent, representing the Queen Today, the Duke of Kent will read a personal message from the Queen at the State opening of Parliament. He will also hand over to Sir Milton Margai the formal constitutional instruments making Sierra Leone a sovereign independent State.