MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLVII, Issue 10744, 15 October 1926, Page 5

MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR.

FALL FROM A WINDOW. TASMAN 1 FLIGHT ASPIRANT. , (Per Press Association—Copyright.) SYDNEY, October 14. Captain Robert Robertson, who has arrived here from Auckland to arrange for his flight from Sydney to New Zealand, fell from a fourth floor window at the Aero Club’s building in the city to-day, landing on a verandah roof. He was carried through a window on the first floor, and was admitted to hospital in a serious condition. Mystery surrounds the accident. When Captain Robertson arrived in the Ulimaroa he said he was going to make the flight from La (Perouse to New Zealand! He also said he was suffering from a nervous breakdown, and' would take a couple of weeks’ holiday. To-day Captain Robertson called at the offices of the Aero Club, but apparently transacted no business. His presence on the premises was first known by the crash of his falling body.

BONAFIDES QUESTIONED

LEAP FROM FOURTH STORY. SYDNEY, October 14. Captain Hughes, president of the New South Wales Aero Clnb, states that Captain Robertson called on him to discuss the flight scheme. Captain Robertson was closely questioned by Captain Hughes, who came to the conclusion that many of the Nlew Zealander’s statements would not bear verification. /, Captain Hughes, m the presence or witnesses, tol'd him he was an impostor, and that to safeguard the interests or aviation he would get in touch witn the police. , , , , - Captain Robertson then leapt out ot the window of Captain Hughes ofhoe. He struck the top of an oriel window on the ‘ third floor, rebounded. •_ crashed to the awning level with the first floor. , , .. _ Another account says that when they were discussing the details Captain Hughes found the whole proposal was vague, and Captain Robertson was then questioned regarding the statements which appeared in the New Zealand newspapers to the effect that the Aero Club of Australia was providing him with a machine. . , . Captain Robertson denied 1 making such statements. After being closely questioned, Captain Robertson admitted he had been in the Flying Corps, and then, as Captain Hughes turned to telephone the police, Captain Robertson leapt through the window.