33Access to premises

33.—(1.) An authorized person may, with the consent of the occupier of any premises, enter the premises for the purpose of exercising the functions of an authorized person under this section.

(2.) Where an authorized person has reason to believe that there are on any premises books, documents or papers relating to sales of wool or other matters relevant to the operation or administration of this Act, the authorized person may make application to a Justice of the Peace for a warrant authorizing the authorized person to enter the premises for the purpose of exercising the functions of an authorized person under this section.

(3.) If, on an application under the last preceding sub-section, the Justice of the Peace is satisfied by information on oath—

(a) that there is reasonable ground to believe that there are on the premises to which the application relates any books, documents or papers relating to sales of wool or other matters relevant to the operation or administration of this Act; and

(b) that the issue of the warrant is reasonably required for the purposes of this Act,

the Justice of the Peace may grant a warrant authorizing the authorized person, with such assistance as he thinks necessary, to enter the premises,

during such hours of the day or night as the warrant specifies or, if the warrant so specifies, at any time, if necessary by force, for the purpose of exercising the functions of an authorized person under this section.

(4.) Where an authorized person has entered premises in pursuance of sub-section (1.) of this section or in pursuance of a warrant granted under the last preceding sub-section, he may exercise the functions of an authorized person under this section.

(5.) A person shall not, without reasonable excuse, obstruct or hinder an authorized person acting in pursuance of a warrant granted under sub-section (3.) of this section or in pursuance of the last preceding sub-section.

Penalty: Two hundred dollars.

(6.) The functions of an authorized person under this section are to search for, inspect, take extracts from and make copies of any books, documents or papers relating to sales of wool or other matters relevant to the operation or administration of this Act.

(7.) In this section “authorized person” means—

(a) a person appointed by the Minister, by instrument in writing, to be an authorized person for the purposes of this section; or

(b) a person included in a class of persons appointed by the Minister, by instrument in writing, to be authorized persons for the purposes of this section.

Overpayments.