Daily Examiner, Fri 5 Nov 1920 1
CHASING YOUNG WOMEN.
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Sydney, Thursday.
Walter Roberts, aged 46, was charged at the Paddington Police Court to-day on a charge of indecent behaviour.
David Petrie, master mariner, gave evidence that on Saturday afternoon he saw Roberts divest himself of his boots and socks, and then chase three young women who were gathering flowers on Bellevue Hills, this side of Woollahra, giving up the pursuit after he had gone a hundred yeards [sic]. Roberts returned and dressed himself, but a little later took off his clothes once more.
Constable Batton said that he chased Roberts for a mile through the bush and finally lost sight of him.
When asked why he chased the girls Roberts replied, “They waved at me.”
Roberts was remanded till next Thursday in order that medical evidence might be called.
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Northern Star, Fri 5 Nov 1920 2
(Sydney, NSW), Sat 6 Oct 1934, p. 5.
Reproduction: Peter de Waal
“THEY WAVED AT ME.”
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Young Women Chased.
SYDNEY, Thursday.—Walter Roberts, 46, was charged at Paddington Police Court with indecent behavior.
David Petrie, master mariner, gave evidence that on Saturday afternoon he saw Roberts divest himself of his clothing except his boots and socks and then chase three young women who were gathering flowers on the Bellevue Hill side of Woollahra gully, giving up the pursuit after he had gone a hundred yards. Roberts returned and dressed himself, but a little later took off his clothes once more.
Constable Batton stated that he chased Roberts for a mile through the bush and finally lost sight of him. Asked why he chased the girls Roberts replied: “They waved at me.” Roberts was remanded until next Thursday for the calling of medical evidence.
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The Sun, Thu 18 Nov 1920 3
NAKED MAN
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Bellevue Hill Incident
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SENTENCE SUSPENDED
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Walter Roberts, aged 46, a packer, against whom evidence had been given that he divested himself of his clothes and chased three girls at Bellevue Hill was again presented to the Paddington Police Court to-day. He was charged with having behaved in an indecent manner.
Dr Chisholm Ross 4 gave evidence that Roberts, who must have been temporarily insane at the time, had improved under his treatment. He thought that the court could grant the defendant his liberty, provided he was placed under the care of his relatives.
In answer to Police Prosecutor Leonard, the doctor said that he could not say whether or not Roberts was likely to repeat the act.
The magistrate (Mr Giles Shaw) passed a sentence of three months, but suspended it under the first offender provisions.
1 Daily Examiner, (Grafton, NSW), Fri 5 Nov 1920, p. 4. Emphasis added.
2 Northern Star (Lismore, NSW), Fri 5 Nov 1920, p. 5. Emphasis added.
3 The Sun, (Sydney, NSW), Thu 18 Nov 1920, p. 7. Emphasis added.
4 The Sydney Morning Herald, (NSW), Mon 8 Oct 1934, p. 10.
“DR CHISHOLM ROSS.
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Death of Noted Psychiatrist.
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With the sudden death at his home in Berry-street, North Sydney, on Saturday morning of Dr Chisholm Ross, Australia has lost an eminent nerve specialist, who was regarded as the leader of the profession of psychiatry here.
Dr Ross fell while alighting from a tram in the city a month ago, and severely injured his shoulder. He did not regain his usual health, and could only attend to the most urgent of his professional duties. On Saturday morning his wife found him in a low condition in his bed and death followed soon afterwards.
Dr Ross who was a native of Inverell, claimed practically the whole of the State for his field of practice. Until recently he was regarded as one of the busiest medical men in New South Wales, being largely sought after because of his extensive experience in all forms of mental disorders. His genealogy went back to the Earls of Ross and the Chieftainship of the Clan Anrias of Ross. His parents settled years ago in the New England district, and Dr Ross was the fourth of a family of 10 children. He began his education at Armidale, and later transferred to The King’s School, Parramatta. In 1879 be left for the Edinburgh University, where he was invested with the degrees of MB and Ch M.
Soon after his arrival back in New South Wales he accepted a position on the Lunacy Board. Subsequently he was appointed to the Gladesville Asylum from there he was promoted to the position of medical superintendent of the Newcastle Hospital for the Insane. Further promotion came quickly, and he founded the mental hospital at Kenmore, near Goulburn. Subsequently he returned to Newcastle and three years later he was given the position of visiting medical officer at the Darlinghurst Reception House. He was also medical superintendent of Callan Park for some time. After more than 20 years in the service of the State he went into private practice in Macquarie-street.
It was said of him that his love of truth, his keen and critical insight into things obscure, his great catholicity of spirit, and his whole-hearted sympathy for every suffering thing were some of the graces that endeared him to his patients. In the medical profession his opinions went without question. Years ago his abilities as a psychologist were recognised when the Senate of the Sydney University offered him the Chair of Psychology and Psychological Medicine. He held this position until the other demands on his services necessitated his resignation.
He is survived by Mrs Ross, four sons (Dr Colin Ross of Macquarie-street, Mr Rowan Ross, of Cooma, Mr John Ross, of Walcha, and Mr Alan Ross, of Roma, Queensland, and three daughters (Mrs Donald Fletcher and Mrs George Thomas, both of Bindango near Roma, Queensland, and Mrs W Peters, of Roseville).
The funeral will take place at the Northern Suburbs Crematorium this afternoon, after a service at St Stephen’s Church, Phillip-Street, at 2 pm.”