Chandler ‘was ill because of his wife’s death’
Mr Loomes inquired about the deaths of Mrs Margaret Chandler (29) and Dr Gilbert Bogle (38), a CSIRO physicist, found dead near Fullers Bridge on January 1st.
End of investigation next week
They were guests at a New Year’s Eve party at the home of Mr and Mrs Kenneth Nash in Chatswood and left around 4.20am
The investigation is expected to be completed early next week.
Chandler said he is an experimental CSIRO officer who studies solar radiometry (the science of measuring the Sun’s total visible radiation).
He said police came to his home at 1 p.m. on January 1 and questioned him about his wife’s whereabouts.
[Earlier, Sergeant A. S. Andrews, of Chatswood, told the inquest he discovered Mrs Chandler’s body about 10.55 a.m. on January 1, and leading detectives were immediately consulted.]
Chandler said the officer who came to his home at 1 p.m. walked him to Burwood Police Station for 15 or 30 minutes and then to Chatswood Police Station.
Between 3.30pm and 4pm he was first told at Chatswood Police Station that his wife had been found dead.
Chandler said he knew Dr. Bogle professionally for about five or six years and socially for ten days.
When asked by the coroner if he was Dr. Considering Bogle his friend, Chandler replied, “No. I held him in high esteem as a professional man and also knew him to be a charming and pleasant person.”
Mrs. Chandler had Dr. First met Bogle at a party on December 21st.
The Coroner: Still, you were quite pleased that your wife was at the party at the Nash house with Dr. Bogle could go home?
Chandler: Yes.
Left party alone
Chandler said he left the Nashes’ party alone around 4:10 a.m. and sat in his car and smoked a cigarette before driving away.
“I felt like I had accidentally let Margaret down and she might have chosen to walk me home after all,” he said.
After waiting two to five minutes, he was convinced that she was with Dr. Bogle would go.
Photos allowed
Chandler recalled his movements until 10:30 a.m. when he returned home to find his wife absent.
He said he believed Ms. Chandler returned home early and “probably met Dr. Bogle went for a walk”.
Two things he noticed around the house led him to believe his wife had been home and gone out – a raised blind and a small flower in a vase.
Chandler said he had no reason to be concerned about her absence and did not investigate.
When asked if he thought his wife might have taken her own life, Chandler replied, “Not really.”
The rear windows are blacked out
After completing his testimony, Chandler agreed to be photographed in front of the Central Court of Petty Sessions.
“He made no attempt to cover his face as he had done on previous occasions.”Credit: Baden Mullaney
His attorney, Mr. K. Murray, stood at the side entrance to the court and said to a large group of photographers, “Would you please take a picture of him from the front?”
“On that basis, it’s a deal.”
With camera shutters clicking and film cameras whirring, Chandler descended the stairs and walked briskly across the courtyard to Central Lane.
He made no attempt to cover his face as he had done on previous occasions.
Suddenly, a photographer appeared from behind a concrete post and confronted him head-on.
Chandler climbed into the back seat of a vintage car driven by a heavily bearded friend, Mr. Victor Smith.
The rear windows of the car were blacked out with fabric.
During yesterday’s lunch adjournment, more than 100 people formed one of the longest lines ever seen at the courthouse.
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Several women sipped cartons of steaming soup and tea and ate sandwiches and fries.
Senior Constable G. Mitchell was nearly knocked out when he unlocked the doors of the public gallery, which only seats 50.
Among the spectators in the gallery were women in sunglasses and three girls with hockey sticks.
