A Person shall not be capable of acting as Proof Master, Deputy Proof Master, or Assistant Proof Master of the Guardians unless and until he has made and signed before One of the Guardians a Declaration to the Effect following:
”I A.B. do solemnly declare that I will, so long as I continue Proof Master [or Deputy Proof Master or Assistant Proof Master] of the Guardians of the Birmingham Proof House, well and faithfully behave myself in that Office, and prove all Barrels brought to me for that Purpose according to the Rules and Regulations and the Scale of Proof from Time to Time in force under “The Gun Barrel Proof Act 1868,” and that I will not during the Time that I continue such Proof Master [or Deputy Proof Master or Assistant Proof Master] take any Fee or Reward from any Person to prove or for having proved any Barrel otherwise than as that Act directs, and that I will execute that Office without Favour or Affection, Prejudice or Malice, and to the best of my Skill and Ability.’
Provided that where before the Commencement of this Act a Person has made and signed the Declaration prescribed by the recited Act, it shall not be necessary for him to make and sign the Declaration prescribed by this Act before the Expiration of Twenty-one Days next after the Commencement of this Act, and in the meantime he shall be capable of acting for the Purposes of this Act in his Office.