NOTARY PUBLIC.

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18876, 21 February 1933, Page 4

NOTARY PUBLIC.

AN ANCIENT OFFICE.

HAMILTON SOLICITOR SWORN IN.

Mr. C. A. Speight, L.L.8., of Hamilton, was yesterday sworn in as a Notary Public by Mr. Justice .Smith-,, under a commission of faculty gf'Sfired by the Faculty Office, Doctors Commons, London, under the seal of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The. office of Notary has an interesting history and it is generally admitted 'by writers that this office had its origin in the civil institutions of ancient Rome. The functions of a notary are not defined by any English statute or published rule, but generally speaking, a notary public may be described as an officer of the law' appointed by the Court of Faculties whose duty it is to attest deeds, contracts, and other instruments that are to be used abroad and to give a certificate of the due executions of such documents, which certificate, if authenticated by his signature and" official seal, is accepted in all counties where notarial acts are recognised as proof of the acts done in his presence and attested by him. The appointments are sparingly made depending on legal qualifications, convenience of the public and the standing of the appointee. The history of the appointments is closely interwoven with the history of England and the power of the Ecclesiastical Courts of tlie Church. Appointments are now made by the Court of Faculties abovementioned, and must bear the imprimature of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Mr. N. S. Johnson is the only other notary public in Hamilton.