LHASA’S FIRST CAR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 439, 3 December 1930, Page 10

LHASA’S FIRST CAR

DALAI LAMA’S ORDER Lhasa, the mysterious capital of Tibet, is to know its first motor-car. The Dalai Lama, the spiritual and temporal ruler of the hidden country beyond the Himalayas, has ordered a luxurious car for his own use, and it is being carried in parts by mule transport, along the tortuous and difficult road from India tc Lhasa. This was one of the many facts about the Dalai Lama recounted by Mr Davi<l Macdonald, who for .15 years was British Trade Agent; in Tibet, and Mho has been paying his visit to England.

Mr Macdonald said: “The roads at Lhasa will be suitable for a motorcar, but, of course, supplies of petrol will have to be sent, to Lhasa, which will be an expensive business. 1 believe a young Tibetan once took a motor-cycle to Lhasa, but it so frightened the horses ami mules on the roads that he was asked not to use it any

“The Tibetans do not wish any aeroplane to fly over Lhasa as they think it might disturb the Gods. I ha\e only twice seen an aeroplane. The second was one which I saw over London vesterday. ’ ’