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Registrar General may make an order for the custody of the child under certain circumstances. If custodian declines to have the matter dealt with by the Registrar General, the case may be remitted to a Magistrate. Registrar General may apply for Habeas Corpus. Recovery of sums due on promise or agreement already entered into. Governor in Council may make regulations.
ORDINANCE No. 9 OF 1887.
Protection of Young Girls.
If the said Registrar General is satisfied that the said child is being trained as a prostitute or that it is the intention of the said custodian thereof to dispose of the said child as a prostitute or that it has been purchased for the purposes of emigration and if the said custodian shall consent that the matter be dealt with by the Registrar General it shall be lawful for the Registrar General to make an order for the proper custody of the said child, or if he should think fit to leave the said child with the said custodian he may require the latter to furnish such security in such an amount with such sureties as he shall think fit for the proper care and bringing up of the said child. The Registrar General may also call upon the said custodian to furnish him with a photograph of the said child.
5. If the said custodian declines to have the matter dealt with by the Registrar General the said Registrar General shall make an order for the temporary custody of the said child and shall remit the matter to a Police Magistrate who on hearing the parties shall if he is satisfied that the child is being trained as a prostitute or that it is the intention of the custodian thereof to dispose of the said child as a prostitute or that the said child has been purchased for the purpose of emigration make an order in conformity with the provisions of section 4 of this Ordinance.
6. Whenever the Registrar General shall have reason to believe that any female child between the ages of six and sixteen years is in the custody, power or possession of any person who has no legal right to such custody, and that it is prejudicial to the interests and liberty of such child that she should continue in the custody of such person, it shall be lawful for the Registrar General to make application to a Judge in Chambers for a writ of habeas corpus. On the return of the said writ the said Judge shall make such order respecting the custody, education, and bringing up of the said child, and on such conditions as he shall deem best in the interest of the said child.
In dealing with such cases no parent who has voluntarily parted with such child for the purpose of adoption into another family or who has received money for the parting with the custody of the child for any other purpose shall be deemed to be entitled as of right to the custody of such child as its natural guardian.
7. In any action which may hereafter be entered for the recovery of any sum due on any promise or agreement which before the coming into operation of this Ordinance has been entered into before the Registrar General with respect to the custody, maintenance or giving in marriage of any female child, it shall not be necessary for the plaintiff in such action to allege or to prove that any consideration was given for the said promise or agreement, and it shall not be competent for the said defendant to allege in defence that the Registrar General had no authority or power to require such promise or agreement from him, or that no consideration was given for the same.
8. It shall be lawful for the Governor in Council to make and when made to alter, amend, or revoke all rules and regulations necessary for the efficient working of this Ordinance.