When the inquest resumed on 9 May, Mr Ward said he objected to the publication of artists' representations Dr Bogle's drawing, which had featured in that morning's newspapers.
He pointed out that it was not normal practise to let the press to photograph exhibits, nor represent them with sketches or other copies.
Mr Ward: Are we going to have a situation where, although the Press may not photograph exhibits, some artists' representations are to be allowed?
Mr Ward continued that the press was allowed to hear what was said in open court, but members of the public were not allowed to copy or sketch exhibits and he did not see why this concession should be granted to the press. He asked Mr Loomes to consider the matter most urgently.
[Considerable discussion followed]
Mr Loomes: I believe all the facts should be brought into the open for all to judge.
He confirmed that he would not allow the exhibits to be photographed and he would invoke section 42 of the Coroner's Act to prohibit both publication of photographs of the bodies or any sketch of these photographs.
However, he did consider that an exhibit was part of court records. He then referred to the artists' impressions of Dr Bogle's drawing.
Mr Loomes: I can't see any objection to it. Perhaps some sinister construction may have been placed on the sketch by the public in the sense that it may have been indecent or suggestive or something along these lines, whereas it is nothing of the kind. I feel that in the interests of the many people involved in these proceedings, the publication of the sketch has brought nothing but good.
[Mr Loomes was partially right – there had been speculation before publication that the drawing might have been pornographic and the published copies disproved this – but his belief that the published copies would quell speculation was mistaken. Many took Dr Bogle's drawing to be evidence that he had experimented with LSD, leading to decades of speculation that the pair had died from an overdose of the drug.]
Ian Hewitt continued his previous day's evidence, under questioning by Mr Ward.
He said he hadn't seen anybody else on the verandah as he and his wife were leaving the party. The only person he saw in the street, from the front door until the time they drove away, was the milkman.
Mr Ward: Do you recall any other cars parked on the same side of the road as the house?
Hewitt: Yes. One or two, and also one or two on the footpath and driveway.
Mr Ward: Did you see a vintage car there?
Hewitt: I don't recall.
Mr Ward: Did you see an old model Prefect sedan?
Hewitt: I can't recall.
The only car he remembered seeing was a Volkswagen. He'd last seen Geoffrey Chandler at supper time, in the lounge room.
[There may have been further questions asked, before Mr Murray took over the questioning.]
Mr Murray: How long were Dr Bogle and Mrs Chandler seated on the settee before Dr Bogle said "we must be on our way"?
Hewitt: About 10 minutes. It was not less than five and perhaps up to 15 or 20 minutes.
Mr Murray: Apart from an absence which has been mentioned, for the rest of the evening Mr Chandler spent some time in the company of his wife?
Hewitt: That is substantially correct.
[Some other questions may have been asked.]
Mr Murray: I would like to get clear the sequence of events from the time you were in the dining room after supper. You were there for a time talking to Miss Beavis?
Hewitt: Yes.
Mr Murray: Dr Bogle was also present?
Hewitt: Yes.
Mr Murray: Was Miss Beavis with Dr Bogle at the time you began to speak to her in the dining room?
Hewitt: No. She was in a different part of the dining room.
He did not remember that earlier Dr Bogle and Miss Beavis had been sitting together during supper.
[The following may have been a follow-up question of Mr Murray's]
Mr Murray: I suggest to you that Dr Bogle and Miss Beavis had a lengthy conversation while they were in the dining room.
Hewitt could not remember Dr Bogle and Miss Beavis having had a long conversation. He said they had been in different parts of the room.
[There may have been further questions asked.]
Mr Murray: At the time you were speaking to her, how did Miss Beavis appear? Animated or depressed?
Hewitt: I wouldn't say she was either. Rather her demeanour was one of quiet reserve. Friendly but not too serious.
[There may have been further questions asked.]
Mr Murray: Did Dr Bogle leave the dining room alone with a cup of coffee in his hand proceeding in the direction of the lounge room and den?
Hewitt: I can recall him going out of the dining room but I did not notice which way he went.
Mr Murray: Did you leave the dining room and go straight to the lounge room and sit down with your wife?
Hewitt: No. I looked in there and my wife and Dr Bogle were alone there talking. Shortly afterwards I came into the lounge room.
Mr Murray: Prior to Dr Bogle and your wife entering the lounge room did you notice Mrs Chandler there?
Hewitt: I cannot remember.
Mr Murray: You said that on one or two occasions you did see Mrs Chandler standing or sitting alone?
Hewitt: Yes.
Mr Murray: I think you said that at least on one of those occasions you went over and talked to her?
Hewitt: On a couple of occasions I noticed her alone.
Mr Murray: Do you recall the substance or content of those conversations?
Hewitt: Only in the most general manner, about dachshund pups, which is one of the subjects we discussed.
Mr Murray: She appeared to be perfectly normal during your conversations with her?
Hewitt: Yes.
Mr Murray: And I think you said in evidence, in answer to Sergeant Goode, that you didn't observe Mr Chandler between midnight and supper?
Hewitt: That is right.
Mr Murray: You now know that during that time Mr Chandler visited another party at Balmain?
Hewitt: I subsequently learned that, yes.
[There may have been further questions asked.]
Mr Collins asked Hewitt a question about his conversation with Mrs Chandler. Hewitt replied that it had taken place before supper.
Mr Collins: I take it she was quite bright and happy?
Hewitt: Quiet, but bright and happy.
[There may have been further questions asked.]
Hewitt explained that he had helped Mrs Chandler serve the coffee passed through the hatch from the kitchen, by Mrs Nash, Mrs O'Donnell and Mrs Nash.
The inquest was adjourned at 11am so that the coroner could visit the death scene. Mr Loomes was accompanied by counsel, Sergeant Goode, a deposition clerk and by Detective Inspector R. Watson and Detective Sergeant H. Parsons. Followed by the press, they arrived at Fuller's Bridge 50 minutes later. It was raining.
Sergeant Goode directed the press not to come within earshot. The group went first to the cleared space where Dr Bogle's body had been found and the detectives reconstructed the scene.
After a few minutes the group moved 17 yards along the track to where Mrs Chandler's body had been found. This spot had become overgrown with lantana and scrub since January 1st and Mr Loomes had to push through the branches to get a clear view. The body had been four feet from the river bank.
The group then moved 50 yards along the track to Chatswood golf course, paused, then returned.
The group went to the parking area there and inspected the spot where Dr Bogle's car had been found. Then, after a total of 40 minutes spent at the scene, they left.
The group drove to Waratah Street Chatswood, scene of the New Year's Eve party. They halted outside No. 12 but did not leave their cars. They then drove back to the city.
John Richard Martin, a milk vendor, of Gale Street, Mortlake, gave evidence when the inquest resumed at 2pm.
He explained that his milk run was in the Chatswood-Roseville area, including all the houses in Waratah Street, Chatswood. He started his run at about 1:15am and entered Waratah Street from Spearman Street between 4:15am and 4:20am.The street lights were on but dawn was breaking.
Mr and Mrs Nash were outside their house. He spoke to Mr Nash, who offered him a drink. Mrs Nash was standing on the steps that led to the verandah.
Sgt Goode: Did you see any vehicle travelling in the street?
Martin: There was one vehicle coming towards me [travelling east].
Sgt Goode: What type of vehicle?
Martin: I cannot tell you the make. It was a light Vauxhall type of car or an early Austin, or a Ford Prefect.
It was not a Holden.
Sgt Goode: Did you see whether a man or woman was driving?
Martin: A woman was driving.
Mr Atwill asked if anybody apart from the woman was in the moving car. Martin said that as far as he could see there was no one else in the car.
Mr Atwill: Were there any other people about?
Martin: I couldn't see anybody.
Mr Atwill: Do you recall particularly that morning that you arrived at the usual time?
Martin: I keep pretty good time. I have a wireless with me for company. I am always within five minutes of the usual time.
Martin said his small transistor radio was strapped to his chest and had a fitted ear piece. He checked constantly, listening to the time signals.
Mr Murray described Geoffrey Chandler's car, an old-fashioned vehicle with a canvas, folding bonnet, very long wheelbase, aluminium sides and a loud engine noise. Had he seen this car?
Martin: No, sir. I never noticed any other car. I don't recall hearing any car pull away.
Michael William McCormick, 16, of Festival Street Green Valley, Liverpool, had been living at Bradfield Park at the start of the year.
On 1 January he had arranged to meet a friend, Denis Wheway, at Chatswood golf course. They were going searching for golf balls.
Sgt Goode: How did you get into the golf course area?
McCormick: From the Fuller's Bridge end. I went down the lower track to the sixth tee of Chatswood golf course.
Sgt Goode: When you walked along the track what time would it be?
McCormick: About five to eight or very close to eight [8am].
Sgt Goode: As you walked along the track, did you see something that attracted your attention?
McCormick: As I was walking along the track I noticed a log on the road or track, or a small piece of tree. I glanced down towards the river and I saw a man lying on his belly. I thought he was a hobo who had been drinking and was sleeping it off.
Sgt Goode: Did you notice anything peculiar?
McCormick: I looked at him and seen his face turning blue. It didn't look right.
Sgt Goode: Did you go to him? Did you touch him?
McCormick: I stopped on the track.
Sgt Goode: How far would he be from you?
McCormick: About four feet away.
Sgt Goode: You didn't do anything in relation to him?
McCormick: I just looked at him.
Sgt Goode: Could you see any signs of breathing or movements of the shoulders?
McCormick: I couldn't see any signs of life at all.
Sgt Goode: Did it occur to you he was anything else other than drunk?
McCormick: I thought he was drunk.
Sgt Goode: What did you do then?
McCormick: I left him alone and walked along a track towards the sixth tee.
Sgt Goode: Did you see any sign of anybody else around you?
McCormick: No.
Sgt Goode: You didn't see a woman anywhere there, did you?
McCormick: No.
Sgt Goode: Did you meet anyone?
McCormick: I met Denis Wheway at the fourth hole. We were looking for golf balls.
Sgt Goode: How long did you stay at the golf course looking for golf balls?
McCormick: We stayed there about an hour.
Sgt Goode: That would bring you up to what time?
McCormick: About 9am.
Sgt Goode: Which way did you come out?
McCormick: Back the same way as I entered the golf course.
Sgt Goode: Wheway was with you?
McCormick: Yes.
Sgt Goode: Did you mention to Denis while on the golf course the fact of having seen a man you thought was drunk along the track?
McCormick: I did not mention it to Denis until we were ready to go home.
Sgt Goode: How far was it from the golf course to the track?
McCormick: About 50 yards.
Sgt Goode: Then did you walk from that point straight down from the golf course onto that track?
McCormick: That's right.
Sgt Goode: Having got back to the beginning of the track did you walk straight along it?
McCormick: Yes.
Sgt Goode: When you got back was he still there?
McCormick: Yes, he was still there exactly in the same position as when I first saw him. As we came up to him I said "Denis, there he is."
Sgt Goode: Did you take a further look at him?
McCormick: We stopped and looked at him.
Sgt Goode: Did you notice any change in his appearance from earlier?
McCormick: The only thing I noticed was his face had gone a bit darker than it was.
Sgt Goode: Did you point that out to Denis?
McCormick: I am not sure whether I told him or not.
Sgt Goode: Did Denis say something to you whilst he looked at the man?
McCormick: No, I don't think so.
Sgt Goode: Did you come to a conclusion?
McCormick: I said to Denis: "We had better get going now." Denis said: "No. We had better tell the man over in the shop." When we got to the shop I said to the man, "It looks like someone is dead."
Sgt Goode: That was the man at the kiosk you know now to be Mr Little?
McCormick: Yes.
Sgt Goode: Did you or Denis say anything about believing the man to be dead on the way to the shop?
McCormick: No. We just walked to the shop slowly, looking at fish over the bridge. When we got to the shop I told the man I thought he was dead.
Sgt Goode: Denis didn't say he looked dead?
McCormick: That's right.
Sgt Goode: When you spoke to Mr Little he went back with you?
McCormick: Yes, after about three minutes.
Sgt Goode: Did he ring the police then?
McCormick: No, not until we came back again.
Sgt Goode: You guided him back to where the man was?
McCormick: That's right.
Sgt Goode: What happened when Mr Little and Denis and you got back?
McCormick: We showed the body to him. He said: "He certainly looks dead."
Sgt Goode: Did you look to see if his clothes were moving as though he was breathing?
McCormick: Yes.
Sgt Goode: And they were not?
McCormick: Yes. He said we had better tell the police. We left and he rang the Chatswood police and shortly afterwards the police arrived. There was a sergeant. I think he was Sergeant Andrews.
They waited at the shop until the police arrived. They then got into the police car and drove along the track to where the body was. They got out and the driver tried to turn the car around.
Sgt Goode: Did you stay at the scene while the police were there?
McCormick: Yes.
Sgt Goode: How long?
McCormick: Until a detective came down. He said to go over to the shop and wait.
Sgt Goode: When you first saw the man lying by the side of the track did you believe he was clothed?
McCormick: Yes.
Sgt Goode: When you returned from the shop did you still believe he had his clothes on?
McCormick: I was not too sure. I could see pieces of carpet sticking out from under his body. That made me look twice and then I saw his clothes were only lying on top of him.
Sgt Goode: Did you or Denis or Mr Little disturb that body at all until the police arrived?
McCormick: No. We didn't go near it.
Sgt Goode: You just stayed there and looked at it?
McCormick: Yes.
Sgt Goode: So the clothes were in the same condition when the uniformed police came as when you first saw them?
McCormick: Yes.
Sgt Goode: I want you to tell in your own words how the clothes were laid on the body.
McCormick said the man lay on his stomach, with arms slightly out. His coat was placed on his body in the normal position you would wear a coat.
Sgt Goode: The coat was draped over his shoulders down to the back and the sleeves laid over the arms? Is that right?
McCormick: That's right.
Sgt Goode: Was it neatly done?
McCormick: Yes.
Sgt Goode: So much so that you thought he was wearing it at first?
McCormick: That's right.
Sgt Goode: Where could you see the piece of carpet?
McCormick: I could see it coming from below his coat about three inches.
Sgt Goode: What about his trousers?
McCormick: They were also laid over his legs.
Sgt Goode: You are saying the carpet protruded from beneath the coat and covered the top part of the trousers?
McCormick: That's right.
Sgt Goode: You could not see the waistband of the trousers because of the carpet?
McCormick: That's right.
Sgt Goode: Did the trousers appear to be laid carefully along the legs in the normal fold?
McCormick: They were put over the legs but the creases of the pants were doubled over.
Sgt Goode: So that at first you thought he had his trousers on?
McCormick: Yes. You could see a small piece of his socks.
Sgt Goode: The trousers were laid carefully and neatly along his legs?
McCormick: That is true.
Sgt Goode: They remained there until you saw a police officer move the body?
McCormick: Yes. One of the police came down and took the clothes off and put them alongside the body. Then the police officer went through a wallet and lifted the body up on its side and then laid it back again.
Sgt Goode: Up to the time you were told by a detective to go to the kiosk and wait, did you see any of the plainclothes men move the body?
McCormick: No.
Sgt Goode: Did you see the clothes put back on the body?
McCormick: I am not too sure whether I did or not.
Sgt Goode: The sergeant showed you some money in the wallet?
McCormick: Yes, three £5 notes.
Mr Atwill: When you got to the track you say you saw a log or a piece of tree. Did you move it?
McCormick: No, I did not touch anything.
Mr Atwill: What size was the piece of tree?
McCormick: About four inches thick and two feet long.
Mr Atwill: Where was it lying?
McCormick: In the middle of the track.
Mr Atwill: You then walked towards the river along the side of the track?
McCormick: Yes, on the side closest to the river.
He said he crouched down, looking at the body for about three minutes.
Mr Atwill: Did you notice the piece of carpet then?
McCormick: No, I don't think I noticed it until the second time I looked.
Mr Atwill: Did you tell Mr Little the body had clothes draped over it?
McCormick: No. I didn't tell him that. I said the man looked dead and to come and have a look.
Mr Atwill: You must have thought it strange to see the man still there with his face darker?
McCormick: The first time it was fairly light in colour and blue when I went back.
Mr Atwill: Weren't you concerned about this body? You say you stopped to look at fish?
McCormick: No, I just looked at it and it wasn't worrying me.
Mr Atwill: You realised it was not properly clothed and probably dead, but this didn't worry you?
McCormick: No.
Mr Atwill: How long did you look for fish?
McCormick: We only walked slowly across the bridge looking down the river.
Mr Atwill: What did you say to Mr Little?
McCormick: I said "there's a man lying on the track and looks as though he's dead" and I asked him to come and have a look.
Mr Atwill: What about Denis? Was he worried? Did he say anything to indicate he was worried?
McCormick: No, he never said anything.
Mr Atwill: On the way back with Mr Little did you discuss with him what you first saw of the body?
McCormick: Yes.
Mr Atwill: You were not very worried whether he came and looked or not?
McCormick: No. I didn't care.
Mr Atwill: Was there any conversation with Mr Little about his clothes?
McCormick: He looked and told us he was dead and walked back towards the shop.
Mr Atwill: Could you see the body easily?
McCormick: Yes, it was lying on a clear patch of ground. The grass had been flattened out there although it was four feet high on the side.
Mr Atwill: When you saw this piece of carpet what did it look like?
McCormick: It looked like it was a piece of rubbish from the bush. There's a lot of rubbish around there. It was about three feet long and about 14 inches wide, but I didn't have a good look at it.
Mr Atwill: Did the clothes appear to have any dirt on them? Or were they clean?
McCormick: The coat and pants were clean, but on one cuff of the shirt there looked like blood or mud stains.
Mr Atwill: The first time you saw the body, did you see anything near the face?
McCormick: No. I could see a few drops of blood from his nose.
Mr Atwill: When you returned later did you notice any vomit near the face?
McCormick: No, I didn't notice any vomit near the face at any time.
Mr Atwill: When the coat was removed from the body was the shirt pulled down?
McCormick: Yes. It was down, but I am not sure whether the carpet was under or on top of the shirt.
Mr Atwill: He had his shoes and socks on?
McCormick: Yes.
Mr Atwill: You said the grass was four feet high in the vicinity, but flattened down. Can you give me an idea how much of the grass was flattened, or how far around the body?
McCormick: Just around the body. I noticed that when the police moved it.
Mr Atwill: Did you notice any cars parked in the vicinity that morning?
McCormick: Yes, I noticed an old Ford Prefect. That is the only car I saw.
Mr Atwill: Did you notice any marks on the track of any recent vehicles having passed over it?
McCormick: No, I did not.
Mr Atwill: This place had a lot of rubbish littered on either side of the track?
McCormick: Yes, on both sides.
Mr Loomes asked McCormick if he had ever seen a body before. McCormick replied that he hadn't.
Mr Loomes then asked if he'd been worried when he found the body.
McCormick: I was not worried when I saw the body, but when the policemen told us he was dead I was worried.
END OF THE DAY'S EVIDENCE