Procedure and powers of the authorities empowered to decide references under sections 35 and 44

(1) References under sections 35 and 44 shall be deemed to be proceedings within the meaning of section 141 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 and in the trial thereof the authorities empowered to decide such references may exercise all the powers of a civil court under that code. (2) The scope of the enquiry in a reference under section 35 or 44 shall be restricted to a consideration of the matters referred to the authorities mentioned in sub-section (1) in accordance with the provisions of this Act.