In practice. A person to whom a cause pending in a court is referred by the court, to take testimony, hear the parties. and report thereon to the court. See REFER. And see In re Hathaway, 71 N. Y. 243; Retts v. I,etcher, 1 S. D. 182. 4G N. W. 193: Central Trust Co. v. Wabash, etc., R. Co. (C. C.) 32 Fed. 085.