GLADSTONE AS A TIPSTER.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 26, 1 April 1915, Page 1 (Supplement)

GLADSTONE AS A TIPSTER.

The "Father of the English Turf, Mr George Hidgwan, has just died at the lipe old age of eighty-nine Besides Ins enthusiasm for sport the deceased gentleman was noted for Ins resemblance to the late Mr. Gladstone, and this likeness was once made the occasion of a practical joke, winch lad the amusing sequei of winning for tne G.O.M. the reputation of haying inside knowledge of the doings ot the English "\lr Hodgman, at the time, was travelling in Scotland, and when passing through Edinburgh his friends for fun sent round word at Waverley Station that Air. Gladstone was in the tiam. At first incredulous, the crowd nocked round Mr. Hodgman's ™ rr ' a g\™. d then, misled peihaps by the dim light, concluded that tne sport™ really was the statesman, and cheered and shouted for a speech. Just as the train moved out, -Mi. Hodgman, urged by his friends, thrust his he.id out of the window waved Is hand, and shouted gaily : '. fliank >ou, nentlcmen! So-and-so will win the Smvitch!" And as it did, the sportloving British public, who were not, enlightened as to how they were duped tiTl some time later, conclude, th. t Gladstone was a tipster well wo thip!-IoH-in", and esteemed bun according!}.