Proceedings on hearing of complaint

At the time and place mentioned in the summons, the magistrate shall proceed to inquire into the matter and, if satisfied that the complainant or the person on whose behalf the complaint is made is entitled under this Act to be maintained by the party against whom the complaint is made, and that the party against whom a complaint has been made has neglected his duty in that respect, shall proceed to inquire into his means and if satisfied that he is capable of maintaining or contributing to the maintenance of the complainant, or the person on whose behalf the complaint is made, he shall proceed to make a maintenance order against him, directing him to pay, either to the complainant or to some person approved by the magistrate and to be named in the order, a periodical sum which, having regard to the means of the party or parties against whom the complaint is made and all the circumstances of the case, the magistrate thinks just, Provided that if the complaint has been made under subsection (3) of section 52 of this Act by a person authorised by the head of a Government department or agency, the magistrate, in the order, if he sees fit, may order the party or parties against whom the complaint is made to pay some person to be named in the order, a sum not exceeding one hundred dollars a week for every week during which the Government department or 41 agency has given relief, such sum, however, not to exceed the amount of that relief.