It shall be lawful for the High Court in an action pending in the High Court, upon the application of any of the parties to that action—
(a) to order the examination on oath, upon interrogatories or otherwise, before the Registrar or other person or persons to be named in such order, of any witnesses within the jurisdiction of the High Court; or
(b) to order a commission to issue for the examination of witnesses on oath at any place or places out of such jurisdiction by interrogatories or otherwise, and
by the same or subsequent order to give all such directions touching the time, place and manner of such examination an all matters and circumstances connected with such examination as may appear reasonable and just.