Section 17 Evidence.

Any document drawn up in pursuance of the first schedule to this Act shall be admissible in any proceeding, civil or criminal, as evidence of the facts or matters therein stated.

If evidence contained in any such document was taken on oath in the presence of the person charged in such evidence, and such person had an opportunity of cross-examining the person giving such evidence and of making his reply to such evidence, the sea-fishery officer drawing up such document may certify the said facts, or any of them.

Any document or certificate in this section mentioned purporting to be signed by a sea-fishery officer shall be admissible in evidence without proof of such signature, and, if purporting to be signed by any other person, shall, if certified by a sea-fishery officer to have been so signed, be deemed until the contrary is proved to have been signed by such other person.

If any person forges the signature of a sea-fishery officer to any such document as above mentioned, or makes use of any such document knowing the signature thereto to be forged, such person shall be liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months . . . F1, F2and on conviction on indictment to be imprisoned . . . F3 for a term not exceeding two years, and the cost of the prosecution of any such person on indictment may be paid as in cases of felony.