Brothers Russell and Dale Jones told a coronial inquest they were at their brother Shayne's property at Five Day Creek on the afternoon of May 17, 1988, but only one of them could not recall what he was doing.

Dale Jones told deputy state coroner Carl Milovanovich he remembered going fishing in Five Day Creek with his brother Shayne and two friends.

"I remember that day because I lost a perch," he said. Mr Jones was cross-examined by barrister Michael Spartalis about his clear recollection about the day of the murder.

"It was a long time ago ... how can you attach losing a fish to the day Russell Lawrence was murdered," he questioned.

"It was a good perch," Mr Jones said.

Acting on behalf of the New South Wales Police Force, Mr Spartalis asked Mr Jones why he never told police he was fishing with his brother on the day of the murder.

"You knew police were questioning your brother about the murder ... so why didn't you put your hand up and tell police you were with him fishing at the time?" he said.

"I'm asking you why you didn't assist your brother."

Mr Jones appeared agitated and answered: "The police never asked me for a statement.

"Anyway that's his business, not mine. I knew he had nothing to do with it."

A distant relative of the family, Leslie Jones, was also questioned yesterday. The previous day the eldest brother Wayne Jones also appeared as a witness as the inquest continued at the Wauchope Courthouse.

Mr Jones was asked how he learned about Mr Lawrence's death.

"It was the biggest news to ever hit the place," he said.

He was also asked how he knew Michael Phillip Green, a Kempsey man who was charged in 1997 for conspiring to murder Mr Lawrence.

"I have known him most of my life," Mr Jones said.

Mr Green and Paul Dean Haydon of Bellbrook were charged with conspiring to murder, while two other men faced lesser charges over swearing false testimony to the NSW Crime Commission.

All the charges were later withdrawn by the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The inquest started during March for seven days at the Wauchope Courthouse, and then for one day at Westmead Coroners Court.

It was here that Sydney barrister Michael Spartalis was instructed on the case by the NSW Police Force's court and legal services department.

Mr Spartalis said: "It was recommended by the coroner that the police have representation for the remainder of the inquest.

"Whenever there have been police operations, barristers are instructed. This is no special case."

The inquest was yesterday adjourned to the Port Macquarie Courthouse for four days from July 21, when the coroner is expected to make his findings.