Page:Advanced Australia.djvu/154

 claimant is required on all material points. In regard to the question of age, however, the magistrate is not obliged to require corroborative evidence if he is personally satisfied that the claimant is of the required age. Having heard the evidence, the magistrate may admit the pension claim as originally made; or he may modify it in accordance with the evidence called; or he may postpone it for further evidence, or reject it altogether. But, in rejecting it, he is required to specify in writing all the material points which he finds to be proved or disproved. The strict rules of evidence need not be observed in the inquiry, the magistrate being empowered to investigate and determine the matter by such means and in such manner as in equity and good conscience he thinks fit. The magistrate's decision will be held to be final and conclusive in respect of what he finds to be disproved in regard to the claim, but the claimant may at any other time produce fresh evidence on the points which have been found to be "simply unproved" or not sufficiently proved. So that the mere fact of a person failing sufficiently to prove certain points on the first occasion does not necessarily destroy for ever his chances of getting a pension. It is also provided that a claim may be sent in and investigated not more than two years before the date on which it is alleged it will be due, so that everything will be in readiness for the claimant to get his pension, if the claim is established, on the due date.

When the claim is established and the rate of pension fixed, the Stipendiary Magistrate will certify accordingly to the Deputy-Registrar, who will issue a pension certificate to the claimant; and a fresh pension certificate will be issued to him every year thereafter. The pension will be paid, in monthly instalments, at the money order office