BALFOUR'S FIRST CAR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 129, 3 June 1930, Page 14

BALFOUR'S FIRST CAR.

HOBBY OP MOTORING.

SIDELIGHT ON CHARACTER

The late Earl of Balfour was one of the earliest motoring enthusiasts. Jle was the first Prime Minister to go to Buckington Palace in a motor car, and he took a keen interest in flying in the early days of its development. Lady Frances Balfour's recently published book states that he never cared to drive himself, but he was a master of the mechanics of any machine. His spirit was that of the age before it arrived, the ■spirit of youth, hope, and encouragement, the spirit that only criticises in order to help forward. Lord Balfour's first ear was a 3i h.p. De Dion Voiturette, bought thirty years ago. A week after the purchase he returned and asked the salesman to show him how the motor operated. It was ~ o'clock, for over an hour Lord Balfour was engrossed in the mysteries ot the carburration, induction, compression and exhaust operations of the singlecylinder engine. Gradually he appreciated what was actually taking place in the engine at each explosion. At ten minutes past three he suddenly pulled out his match and exclaimed, "Heavens, I have a Cabinet meeting at 3 o'clock. I must be going." He walked down Regent Street, his hat slightly tilted- backwards, and trailing his umbrella in folded hands behind his back, and the salesman reflected that the matter exercising the receptive mind of his client was not the problem to be dealt with at the Cabinet meeting, but the construction of the little internalcombustion engine fitted in his car.