AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 305, 24 December 1926, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN AFFAIRS.

ROBERTSON FOR TRIAL ALLEGED BIGAMY CHARGE. WITNESSES 17 WHEN MARRIED. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Received 12 noon.) SYDNEY, this day. Robert Robertson, who became prominent through his avowed intention to fly from Australia to New rrealand, but who was stated to be a bogus flying officer, and injured himself by jumping from the window of the New South Wales Aero Club's rooms when called an impostor, has been committed for trial on a charge of bigamy. Bail was allowed. One woman gave evidence that she married Robertson in 1919, and another said she married him in October, 1925. In each case the witness said she was aged 17 at the time of the marriage. FAMILY SUBSIDY. CHILD ENDOWMENT SCHEME. (Received 12 noon.) SYDNEY, December 23. Cabinet decided to-day to supplement the recently declared basic wage of £4 4/ by a child-endowment scheme. The intention is to provide a payment of 0/ a week for each child. At a rough estimate, it is calculated that this would cost the State over £4,000,000 a year. The bill will be introduced in January. An endowment will be provided for every child where the breadwinner of a family does not earn more than £750 a year. Another estimate is that the scheme will cost the country £7,000,000. The caucus approved the Child Endowment, which will apply to children up to 14 years. The scheme will cost the State £1,500,000, and employers £5.500,000, yearly.

DOMESTIC TRAGEDY. THREE PEOPLE SHOT. ADELAIDE, December 23. A man named John Alfred Battersby, his wife, and their young son were found shot at their home in North Croydou to-day. All were sent to hospital with bullet wounds in their heads and bodies. Their condition is serious. It is supposed that Battersby shot his wife and son and then himself. CONDITION OF VICTIMS. (Received 1.30 p.m.) ADELAIDE, this day. Both Battersby and his wife, who were found shot at their home in North Croydon to-day, are in a serious condition, but the child is expected to recover. Mrs. Battersby states that she was awakened by the sound of a shot and saw her husband in the bedroom. She went to the cot where the child was asleep and found him shot. She then received a bullet wound in the face. Her husband went'in the direction of the room where two other sons were sleeping. They had been awakened by the shots and ran to their parents. They entered the front room, and the mother followed and locked the door. Lat-.r they heard a shot, then all was quiet. When the police arrived they found Battersby on the floor of the kitchen with a revolver at his side. No reason is known for the tragedy. The Battersbys were a happy family, but straitened circumstances of late have apparently affected the man's mind. COMMONWEALTH LOAN. SYDNEY, December 23. Dr. Earle Page, Commonwealth Treasurer, announced that the Commonwealth loan of £0,000,000 has been oversubscribed, although all country subscriptions are not yet received.