Magistrate may inquire into suspected crime

(1) Any magistrate who has reason to believe that a crime has been committed within the limits of his jurisdiction for which the offender might, according to any statute for the time being in force, be arrested without warrant, or that there is reasonable ground for inquiring whether that crime has been committed within those limits or, in either case, that there is reasonable ground for inquiring by whom the suspected crime has been committed, may, whether any particular person is charged or not, summon to appear before him any person whom he has reason to believe to be capable of giving material evidence concerning the crime, and may examine the person upon oath concerning the crime and, if he sees cause, bind the person by recognisance to attend and give evidence, if called upon by any magistrate or by the court at any time within the twelve months then next ensuing, unless the person can show some reasonable excuse to the contrary. 22 (2) In case any person so summoned neglects to attend, or refuses without lawful excuse to take the oath or, having taken it, to answer any question concerning the crime then put to him, or to enter into the recognisance aforesaid, he may be dealt with in the same manner as a witness may be dealt with who neglects or refuses to attend or give evidence, or to be bound by recognisance to do so, after having been served with a summons for that purpose.