COUNTY CLERK CHARGED

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 494, 1 July 1932, Page 7

COUNTY CLERK CHARGED

Allegation of Forgery Under Provisions of the Electoral Act.

SEQUEL TO MAGISTERIAL INQUIRY

WILLIAM THOMAS LINDSAY, clerk of the Waipara County Council, was arrested at Waikari this morning on a charge of forgery under the Electoral Act. The arrest was a sequel to the recent magisterial inquiry into the elections in the Hurunui and Waikari ridings of the county.

Lindsay was arrested on warrant by Detective-Sergeant E. F. O’Brien, of Christchurch, and was brought before Mr G. Arres, J.P., at Waikari, on a charge of forgery. He was remanded to appear at Christchurch on July 8. Bail was allowed in the sum of £250, with one surety of £250.

Following the recent elections in the ITurunui and Waikari ridings petitions were lodged for the holding of a Magisterial inquiry. The appeal was successful and as a result the elections in both ridings were upset, it being

stated that grave irregularities had been disclosed in the returns from a number of booths. In the new elections the previous results were reversed. Detective-Sergeant O’Brien has been making an extensive investigation on lines opened by the inquiry. Lindsay has been clerk of the county for a period of twelve or fourteen years. Lindsay has been clerk of the county for a period of twelve or fourteen years. He is fifty-four years of age and is a married man with a family.