446
ment in writing.
[17 & 18 Vict. c. 125 s. 24; 28 & 29 Vict. c. 18 s. 5.]
Proof of conviction and previous conviction for indictable offence.
[14 & 15 Vict. c. 99 s. 13; 17 & 18 Vict. c. 125 s. 25; 28 & 29 Vict. c. 18 s. 6; No. 2 of 1889.]
EVIDENCE.
such writing being shown to him; but if it is intended to contradict such witness by the writing, his attention must, before such contradictory proof can be given, be called to those parts of the writing which are to be used for the purpose of so contradicting him; Provided always that it shall be competent for the Court, at any time during the trial or hearing of the proceedings, to require the production of the writing for its inspection, and the Court may thereupon make such use of it for the purposes of the trial or hearing as it may think fit.
14. A witness in any proceedings may be questioned as to whether he has been convicted of any felony or misdemeanor, and, on being so questioned, if he either denies or does not admit the fact or refuses to answer, it shall be lawful for the cross-examining or opposite party to prove such conviction, and in such case, and also whenever it may be necessary to prove the trial and conviction or acquittal of any person charged with an indictable offence, a certificate, record, or extract of the conviction containing the substance and effect only (omitting the formal part) of the conviction for such offence, purporting to be signed by the clerk of the Court or other officer having the custody of the records of the Court where the offender was convicted, or acquitted, or by the deputy of such clerk, or officer, shall, on proof of the identity of the person, be sufficient evidence of such conviction or acquittal, without proof of the signature or official character of the person appearing to have signed the same.
[34 & 35 Vict. c. 112 s. 18.]
Attesting witness need not be called.
15. It shall not be necessary in any proceedings to prove by the attesting witness any instrument to the validity of which attestation is not requisite; and such instrument may be proved by admission or otherwise as if there had been no attesting witness thereto.
[17 & 18 Vict. c. 125 s. 26; 28 & 29 Vict. c. 18 s. 7.]
Comparison of disputed with genuine writing.
[17 & 18 Vict. c. 125 s. 27.]
16. Comparison of a disputed writing with any writing proved to the satisfaction of the Court to be genuine shall be permitted to be made by witnesses in any proceedings, and such writings, and the evidence of witnesses respecting the same, may be submitted to the Court and to the jury, if any, as evidence of the genuineness or otherwise of the writing in dispute.
PART II.
ADMISSIBLE DOCUMENTS.
17. Whenever any book or other document is of such a public nature as to be admissible in evidence on its mere production from public
But see No. 14 of 1908 s. 2 (f).