Section 17. Examination of parties and their papers.

The Collector may examine the parties on solemn affirmation in regard to the papers produced before him, whether by the officer appointed to make the partition, the proprietors, or otherwise. He shall also allow any shareholder to examine the papers so produced, and to take a copy of the same, and after such examination he shall hear any objections which any of the shareholders may make in respect to such papers. The Collector may direct any Deputy Collector or other officer subordinate to him to examine the papers produced before him, and to make a report upon the same.