CHARGES OF SABOTAGE

Press, Volume C, Issue 29499, 28 April 1961, Page 20

CHARGES OF SABOTAGE

Sierra Leone Arrests <N.Z P.A.-Heuter—Copyright) (Rec. 9 p.m.) FREETOWN. April 26 The Sierra Leone Government said last night it had detained two more members of the Opposition All People’s Congress Party as the result of a bid to sabotage a bridge. Thiity-one members of the party are now in detention for the 'duration of Sierra Leone’s independence celebrations, which the Duke of Kent is attending on behalf of the Queen. The Government claims A.P.C. members have threatened to blow up bridges as part of a general attempt to disrupt the celebrations. Police and troops guarded bridges along the Duke’s arrival route, but the attempted sabotage was made on a bridge on the other side of the city. It was not damaged. The Duke’s Heron plane of the Queen’s Flight developed serious icing trouble on the Bordeaux-Gibraltar lap of his flight to Freetown. Fighting a strong head wind and with the wings icing up, its cruising speed was considerably slowed. Had the icing continued. the plane would have had to return to Bordeaux. The Duke yesterday chatted with British and African reporters at a reception for the world's press in Government House. He missed a colourful regatta in the harbour and relaxed in preparation for a tight programme

... later, including a Government House garden party. The 150-year-old British colony will gain its independence at midnight.