WHEREAS by an Ordinance enacted by the Governor of New Zealand, with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council thereof (Session II., No. 10), intituled “An Ordinance to facilitate the Transfer of Real Property, and to simplify the Law relating thereto,” it is enacted (clause 52) that every deed or will executed out of this Colony shall be received in evidence in every Court of Justice in the Colony provided the execution thereof shall be verified on oath by any one of the witnesses thereto in manner following, that is to say,—

When the same shall have been executed in Great Britain or Ireland, it shall be so verified before the Mayor, Provost, or other Chief Magistrate of any corporate town; if in any British Colony, before the Officer Administering the Government thereof or before two Justices of the Peace; if in any foreign country, then before any British Consul resident therein: Provided also that such verification be certified under the seal of such body corporate, officer or consul, or under the hands of such Justices, as the case may be.

And whereas by an Act of Parliament passed in the Session of Parliament holden in the fifth and sixth years of the reign of His late Majesty King William the Fourth, chapter sixty-two, provision hath been made for verifying the execution of wills and codicils, deeds and instruments in writing, by solemn declaration in lieu of oath in manner therein mentioned: