the-ordinances-of-the-legislative-counci-1890v4 — Page 225

2042 ORDINANCE No. 26 OF 1886 ..


Legislative Council Witnesses.


Examination
of witnesses 2. The Legislative Council of the Colony and any committee there
on oath.
of may administer an oath to any witness examined before such Council
[34 & 35 V. c.
83. § I. ] or committee and for that purpose shall have all such and the like powers ,
rights , and privileges , as are now possessed or exerciseable by the House
of Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland or any
―――――――
committee thereof, in respect of,

(a.) The enforcing the attendance of witnesses.

(b .) The punishing persons guilty of contempt .

False
evidence. 3. Any person examined as aforesaid, who wilfully gives false evi
[34 & 35 V. c. dence, shall be liable to the penalties of perjury. Any witness to be
83 , s . 2. ]
examined under this Ordinance who, being a Christian, conscientiously

objects to take an oath , may make his solemn affirmation and declaration
in the words following : :

" I , A. B. , do solemnly, sincerely, and truly affirm and declare
that the taking of any oath is according to my religious
belief unlawful and I do also solemnly, sincerely, and truly
affirm and declare, & c ."

Declaration Any witness to be examined under this Ordinance who is not a
in lieu of
oath. Christian, may in lieu of an oath make the following declaration which
shall be duly interpreted to every such witness ignorant of the English
language. ' I, A. B. , do solemnly, sincerely, and truly declare that the
evidence which I am about to give shall be the truth, the whole truth ,
and nothing but the truth . '

Any solemn affirmation and declaration or declaration alone as
aforesaid shall be of the same force and effect and shall entail the same
consequences as an oath taken in the usual form .

Any oath or affirmation and declaration or declaration alone as

aforesaid may be administered by the presiding member of the said
Council or any committee thereof.


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