HANLAN’S SECRET.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1087, 15 June 1882, Page 4

HANLAN’S SECRET.

The Newcastle Daily Chronicle of April 4, writing in regard to the great milling match which had occurred the preceding day cn the Tyne, nays of the winner :— “ Hanlan demonstrated to day that he sculls as no other man ever seen on this river has done, and we are hound to admit that he has dethroned the traditional monarchs of the oars. His great reach, the machine like movement which he displays w hen in action, the generalship in rowing, his singular personal strength, and his high intelligence, all join to make him such a rower as, in our opinion, has never hitherto been known, and many years pass over before another proficient of such surpassing excellence is seen. It would appear as if all those who have studied his stylo of rowing have yet failed to secure his secret, which, after all, is the combination of the whole of the excellencies of style and power which we have just mentioned.” Ihe following interesting letter appeared in the Manchester Examiner and Times, of April 7. Hanlan must be admirably built for hia work, and that he knows how to best develop his natural advantages is evident : — “ Sir, —In your article on the victory of Hanlan in the recent contest with Boyd on the river Tyne you say that there must be some secret possessed by him not known to our native oarsmen. Now, as a friend of mine wrote to Hanlan after he had won the championship of the world, I am enabled to inform you what Hanlan considers the secret you allude to. Mr Hanlan says : —‘ In my opinion, the best physical performances can only be secured through the absolute abstinence from the use of alcohol and tobacco. This is my rule, and 1 find, after three years’ constant work at the oar, during which time I have rowed many notable match races, that I am better able to contend in a great race than when 1 first commenced. In fact, I believe that use of liquor and tobacco has a most injurious effect upon the system of an athlete by irritating the vitals, and consequently weakening the system.’ I also find that Dr. W. F. Carver, the famous marksman, says : 1 I have never tasted any intoxicating drinks, nor do I use tobacco in any form.’ —Yours, &c., A. E. Eccles.