BOGUS AIRMAN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 15 October 1926, Page 5

BOGUS AIRMAN

''CAPTAIN" ROBERTSON AT SYDNEY DECLARED AN IMPOSTOR LEAP THROUGH FOURTH FLOOR . . WINDOW (By Electric Teleprapu-Copy right) (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association ) SYDNEY, Mih Od. Robert Robeitsoii, who arrived here from Auckland to arrange 11 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. ' Mo was carried through a wi'idow on the first floor and was admitted In the hospital in a serious condition;'

Mystevv- surrounds tins accident. When Robertson arrived in 11m Ulimaroa lie said he was going In make a flight fiv.m La Peronse to New Zealand, lie also said hi' was suffering from a nervous breakdown ;ind would lake a couple of week's holiday. To-day Robertson called at the offices of the Aero Club, but apparently transacted no business. His presence oil the premises was first known by the crash of his falling bodv. Later.

Captain Hughes, president of the New South Wales Aero Club, slates that Robertson called on him to discuss the flight. scheme. Robertson was closely questioned by C.ipfain Hughes. who came to the, conclusion that many of ißobcrtsoil's statement!* iwnuldj not bear verification., Captain Hughes, in the presence of witnesses, told him lie was an impostor and that to safeguard the interests of aviation he would get into touch with he -police.- • Robertson, then leapt out of the window of Captain Hughes's office, struck the top of an.oriel window on (lie third Hour, rebounded, and crashed on the awning level with the first floor. When they were discussing details Captain Hughes found the whole proposal vague, ,and Robertson was then questioned, regarding statements which pppenved in New Zealand newspapers (o the ..effort, that (.lie Aero Club of Australia was .providing him with a machine. Robertson denied making such statements. After being closely questioned Robertson admitted he had never been in the- Flying Corps, and then as Captain Hughes turned to telephone the police Robertson .jumped through the window. .-. ■

A cablegram from Sydney on Wednesday staled:—"Captain Robertson, who arrived hi' Sydney by tho Ulimaroa fo complete arrangements for his projected .flight .from Sydney In New Zealand, says the scheme is entirely a private venture financed by private capital. Interested New Zealanders had financed the flight to Ihe extent of £SOOO. Captain Robertson proposes to pe-cure in Queensland a'seaplane which he considers suitable for file; flight, but the present engine will be- replaced by one similar to that used by Cobhain in bis recent night; Captain'Robertson, who will.enlist the. assistance of an Australian pilot to accompany him. will make La Porouse the ' jumping off place, ft is estimated the flight, given ordinary conditions, will occupy 13,1 hours."