OBITUARY

Waikato Independent, Volume XXX, Issue 2313, 20 March 1930, Page 5

OBITUARY

EARL BALFOUR. AN ILLUSTRIOUS CAREER. LONDON, March 19. The death has occurred of Earl Balfour, formerly Prime Minister of Great Britain, and leader of the Conservative Party. The famous statesman, who had lived in retirement '|or some years, was in his 82nd year. KING’S MESSAGE. A FINE TRIBUTE. PERSONAL NOTES. LONDON, March 19. Numerous tributes to Lord Balfour include the following King’s message to his brother Gerald: “Lord Balfour’s death will evoke throughout the Empire and from many parts of the world deep sorrow, which the Queen and myself fully share. It is a national loss of a great statesman and the last of Queen Victoria’s Ministers. I ''shall treasure his memory as a life-long friend, a great charming personality, and a wise and trusted counsellor.” Lord Balfour died at his brother’s residence, Woking, in a room overlooking the garden where he spent many happy hours. Before his death he ordered the blinds should not be pulled down, and asked for his valet, James Coleman, with whom he shook hands, saying, “Good-bye James, thank you very much for all you have done for me.”

Deceased’s brother Gerald succeeds to the title by special remainder.