THE N.Z. SANDOW

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 16 June 1928, Page 13

THE N.Z. SANDOW

REMARKABLE FEATS OF STRENGTH.

CHAIN-BREAKING- AND WEIGHTLIFTING.

'A LITTLE ABOUT B. O. JAKEETT

OF HAWEEA,

It gives us great pleasure to publish the following letter which sots out a few of the claims to recognition of an athletic career which has not so far been the subject of an article by our valued contributor “Phyesical Culturist.” The athlete to whose record our correspondent here directs attention has had a noteworthy career in many branches of sport. He was dubbed the “N.Z. Sandow” by the famous Eugene Sandow himself. Some thirty years ago he -was a crack runner over middle and long distances, was dangerous in a sprint and over hurdles, good at all field games, and was a boxer and wrestler, besides being a strong man capable of giving an exhibition on a par with those of some of the best professionals who have appeared in the country. Besides developing his own natural gifts, he studied the scientific side of the art of physical culture, developing and perfecting a system of his own to. which many people in New Zealand owe their health and many athletes their fine physique. Our contributor “Physical Culturist” has not overlooked the performanmes of this ath-. lete, the best all-rounder of his day in New Zealand, but has experienced difficulty in penetrating his reluctance to talk about himself. We are hopeful that some day this unwillingness -will -be overcome, and in the meantime we thank our correspondent ‘ ‘ Stop-watch’ ’ for bringing a few incidents of his career to light.. [Athletic Editor, “Star.”]

(To the Editor.; •Sir I have read with much interest the weekly contributions by “Physical Cult.ur Ist ’ 7 which have been appearing in the * ‘ Star ’ 7 Supplement. It has now become a habit for me as I pick up Saturday’s paper to turn first to these reminiscences. I remember once or twice he failed to contribute, from which I concluded he had exhausted, his resources. I ha.ve been agreeably surprised with the stirring stories which have appeared since then. Many of those great athletes he writes of were personally known to me from early youth. I have been thrilled when I have witnessed many 'of those events •Which “Physical Gulturist” vividly describes'. Apparently he knqjv intimately most of them from A to Z. With pen pictures trrre to life he illustrate® the men and their deeds. Apparently he has the faculty of understanding the human as well as the athletic side: of the men he has -mixed with such as only a student of human nature could acquire. Beading between the lines I should judge he himself was no mere athlete with a full sense of appreciation of the opponents he met. One man in particular he has recently referred to. Alex Campbell. I have often-told my friends that he was the finest mile r. inner I ever saw. It afforded me g*« at -pleasure to read the eulogy of this great runner’by Mr Tosland. 'who had the opportunity of studying Campbell from every point of view. I can he artily on dorse al l -th at has be en written of him as an athlete. In. my early days I used to be a rreg'Ulax' attendant at -the Foilding sports, and it used to be nvy joy to get on -the ground during the training operations of the local athletes and the advance guard of visiting competitors. By tire local boys t lie name of Alex. Campbell was idolised. Once it was known he would be a competitor the attendance of the public was assured. If “Physical Gulrturist” could give anything like a detailed narrative of this old champion’s performances, I am confident it would be much appreciated by your readers who -follow the course of athletes. 'Only last .Saturday your contributor refers to one I lia-ve often heard spoken -of. There arc many citizens of Taihape who well remember Constable Wilton, who, in those days, was credited with the strength of a Hercules. I can well understand the look of amusement on the. face of “Physical Gulturist” and his pupils when they witnessed the ease with which the 'stranger handled the heavy weights. WHAT /SUBPRISED THE POLICE-

MAN. I .have before any mind ’s eye another Incident in -which another member of the force was cont'ca-ned, but this time it to the constable.who was surprised by a- much smaller built man. It happened this way. When about 16 years of aye I was working at my trade, in Fell ding, where I served my apprenticeship. One day a stranger called to sec any master. During the course of conversation. I gathered the stranger was i one whom I had heard spoken of i'rcquently. Presently another caller joined the group. This was Constable Jack Lyons, who was introduced to the stranger. The constable saldz Oh, I think I have heard of you. Aren’t you the fellow who breaks chains and that sort of thing?” My boss* said: “Yes, Jack, this- is the man.” “Well I would like to see you do it with this.” The stranger said: “That's easy ..Here is a piece of chain. Try it first.” Lyons pulled and tugged at the sample, but made no impression. The stranger said: “You don’t do it right. This is the way.” He then made a belt of the chain and fixed it round his chest. He to-ok a Jong deep breath, expanded Ms chest, and with a quick downward movement of his arms the links flew apart in all directions. Burly. Jack Lyons, not to be beaten, said: “That’s pretty good, but 1 would like to see you snap the chain that Dr. Gordon, of Wirth’s Circus, broke. That was much heavier than this.” The stranger, in a quiet voice, replied: “Anything you saw Dr. Gordon do I can repeat.” The constable seemed t.oi doubt this and said: ‘‘l have a piece of his chain B t the station.” “Bight oh,” said the other, “go and get- it.” With this Lyons hurried from Ilie room and in a. short time returned and, throwing the piece of' chain on the 'bench, he said: “There it is. Now break it.” CatchMg the eye of the boss, the other man, winking, said: ‘‘You don’t call that, a, chain, do yon? It’s a blessed cable. Sure!v Dr. ‘Gordon didn’t break that!” “fjh, yes,” said Lyons. “I thought that would make you jib.’* With a smile the stranger replied: “Oh, I don’t know. Just fasten it on. to your own. satisfaction.” The constable duly adjusted the chain, then, slipped back. Once more a quick movement and. the links flew apart. Old Jack Lyo-ns said: “I’ll be d ——d.” while the boss and I were too dumb to

speak. Subsequently I got to know the stranger better. He later resided for some years in Feildiug, in which district his services at entertainments were much in demand. Once it became known lie was featuring on the programme the organisers were assured of a. packed house. Amongst his feats were such items as 'seating a man on a. chair. Ilf would with, one hand left ■chair and man on te an ordinary height table; tear a pack of cards- in halves and quart ers; break chains' on 'his chest, and sundry feats with heavy weights with, which he used to intersperse bril'linut. exhibitions of fire club swinging. The stranger who surprised tire constable was Mr It. O. Jarrett, now of Haworn, who years before had also been New Zealand’s best all-round athlete. This athletic, career “Physical Ouilj turist ’ ’ has seemingly overlooked. Trusting I have not been encroachiing too much on your valuable space and writine onlv in appreciation.—l am, 1 " ' “STOP-WATCH,”