When both parties appear in person or by agent on the day named in the summons, or upon any subsequent day to which the hearing of the case may be adjourned, for sufficient reason to be recorded by the Collector, the Collector shall proceed to examine such of the parties as may be present, and either party or his agent may cross-examine the other. If either of the parties be not bound to attend personally, any agent by whom he shall appear, or any person who shall accompany such agent, shall be examined and cross-examined in like manner as the party himself would have been if he had attended personally. At the time of examination the defendant, if he think fit, may file a written statement of his defence.