TASMAN FLIGHT PROJECT

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 October 1926, Page 5

TASMAN FLIGHT PROJECT

ROBERTSON AN IMPOSTER,

JUMP FROM SYDNEY WINDOW.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (By Cable —Press Assn.—Copyright.)

SYDNEY, October 14. Robert Robertson, wiio arrived here from Auckland to arrange a flight from Sydney to New Zealand, fell from a fourth tioor window at the Aeio 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 the hospital ill a serious condition.

A mystery surrounds the accident. When he arrived in the Ulimafoa, he said he was going to make a flight from La Perouse to New Zealand. He also said that he was suffering from a nervous breakdown, and that he would take couple of weeks’ holiday. Today, Robertson called at the offices of the Aero Club, but he apparently transacted no business. His presence on the premises was first known by the crash of his falling body. LATER. Captain Hughes, president of the New South Wales Aero Club, states that Robertson called on him to discuss the flight scheme. Robertson was closely’ questioned by Hughes, who came to the conclusion that many of Robertson’s statements would not bear verification.

Hughes,' in the presence of witnesses, told Robei’tson that he was an imposter, and that to safeguard the interests of aviation, he would get in touch with the police, Robertson then leapt out of the window of Hughes’ office, struck the top of the Oriel window on the third floor, rebounded and crashed on an awning level with the first floor.

When they were discussing the details, Hughes found that the whole proposal was vague, and Robertson was then questioned regarding statements which had appeared in the New Zealand papers, to the effect that the Aero Club of Australia was providing him with a machine. Robertson denied making such a statement. After being closely questioned, Robertson admitted that he had never been in the Flying Corps, and then, as Hughes turned to telephone the nolice, Robertson jumped through the window.