Statement of persons dangerously ill

(1) Whenever it appears to the satisfaction of any magistrate that any person dangerously ill and, in the opinion of a registered medical practitioner not likely to recover from such illness, is able and willing to give material information relating to any crime, or relating to any person accused of any such crime, the magistrate may record the statement of such person so being ill, adding thereto by way of caption a statement of his reasons for taking the statement and of the day and place when and where the same was taken, and of the names of the persons, if any, present at the taking thereof. 29 (2) If the evidence relates to any crime for which any accused person is already committed or bailed to appear for trial, the magistrate shall transmit the statement with the said caption to the proper officer of the court at which such accused person is so committed or bailed to appear for trial. (3) Where the statement taken under this section relates to a crime into which a preliminary inquiry is being or may be held, it shall with the said caption, be transmitted to the examining magistrate or the magistrate who may hold the preliminary inquiry and it shall be treated in all respects in the same way, and shall be considered for all purposes, as a deposition taken upon the (4) In all other cases, the magistrate shall transmit the statement with the said caption to the Registrar General who is hereby required to preserve the same and file it as of record.