STRANGE AFFAIR

Southland Times, Issue 20001, 15 October 1926, Page 7

STRANGE AFFAIR

THE TASMAN FLIGHT ROBERTSON GRAVELY INJURED FALL FROM SYDNEY BUILDING (By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Rec. 8.15 p.m.) Sydney, October 14. Captain Robert Robertson, who arrived here from Auckland to arrange a flight from Sydney to New Zealand, fell from the fourth floor window at the Aero Club’s building in the city to-day, landing on the verandah roof. He was carried through the window on to the first floor and admitted to hospital in a serious condition. Mystery surrounds the accident. When he arrived in the Ulimaroa he said he was going to make a flight from La Perouse to New Zealand. He also said he was suffer ing from a nervous breakdown, and would take a couple of weeks’ holiday. To-day 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 a falling body.—A. & N.Z. “WAS NEVER IN FLYING CORPS.” CALLED AN IMPOSTER. JUMPS THROUGH WINDOW. (Rec. 12.40 a.m.) Sydney, October 14. Captain Hughes, president of the New South Wales Aero Club, states that Captain Robertson called on him to discuss the flight scheme. Robertson was closely questioned by Captain Hughes who came to the conclusion that many of Robertson’s statements would not bear verification. Captain Hughes in the presence of witnesses told him 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 Captain Hughes’s office, struck the top of a window on the third floor, rebounded and crashed on to an awnirjg level with the first floor. When they were discussing the details Captain Hughes found the whole proposal vague and Robertson was then questioned regarding a statement which appeared in the New Zealand newspapers 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 he had never been in the Flying Corps and then as Captain Hughes turned to telephone the police Robertson jumped through the window.—A. and N.Z.