Div 7Claims for Pensions.

Division 7.—Claims for Pensions. 37. A claim for an age or invalid pension— (c) shall be lodged with the Registrar whose office is nearest to the place of residence of the claimant. Reference to Magistrate. 38.—(1.) Upon receipt of a claim, the Registrar shall, after making such investigations as appear to him to be desirable, refer the claim to a Magistrate. (2.) The Magistrate shall investigate the claim for the purposes of ascertaining whether the claimant is entitled to a pension and, if so, at what rate, and shall endorse on the claim form a recommendation as to the grant of a pension and the rate thereof, or as to the rejection of the claim. (3.) In investigating the claim the Magistrate shall not be bound by any rules of evidence but shall investigate the claim and make his recommendation according to equity, good conscience and the substantial merits of the case, without regard to legal forms or technicalities.