COUNTY CLERK'S ARREST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21224, 2 July 1932, Page 10

COUNTY CLERK'S ARREST

ELECTION IRREGULARITIES.

ALLEGATION OF FORGERY.

SEQUEL TO RECENT INQUIRY.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—CWN COIUU'.SrONDENT. ] CHRISTCHURCH. Friday.

The arrest of William Thomas Lindsay, clerk of the Waipara County Council, at Waikari this morning, on a charge of forging voting papers in connection with the county elections 011 May 11, while he ■was returning officer, was a sequel 1:0 a recent magisterial inquiry held into the conduct of the elections inHhe Hurunui and Waikari ridings of the county. Lindsay was arrested on warrant by DetectiveSergeant O'Brien, of Christchurch, the charge being brought under the Local Elections and Polls Act. Accused was brought before justices at Waikari, who remanded him to appear at Christchurch on July 8. Bail was allowed. After the county elections in May petitions were lodged asking for a magisterial inquiry into the manner in which the poll had been conducted in the Hurunui and Waikari ridings. An inquiry was held, and the magistrate declared the election void, and the elected members lost their seats. The magistrate then stated i.hafc there had been "glaring irregularities" in tho returns from a number of booths. In the new elections the previous results were reversed.

Lindsay has been clerk of the Waipara. County for about 20 years.