In case any person does not have a settlement in the institution district wherein he has become, or is likely to become, a dependent, it shall be the duty of the local authorities to notify the local authorities of the district of his settlement of the facts. If the local authorities, so notified, refuse or neglect to receive him or to make arrangements for his proper care and to pay the amount advanced, the local authorities furnishing such care may apply to the court of quarter sessions of their county, or to any judge thereof, by petition, asking for a citation to the local authorities, so refusing or neglecting, requiring them to appear before such court at a time specified therein, and to show cause why an order should not issue for the removal of such dependent into their institution district. The said court shall proceed to hear and determine the cause upon its merits.

The citation accompanied by a copy of the petition shall be served by the sheriff of the county, who may, for that purpose, deputize the sheriff of the county of the cited institution district, upon one or more of the local authorities named therein, or, with the approval of the court, service may be had by sending such copy by registered mail. The service or mailing shall be at least ten days before the day fixed for such hearing. Upon the hearing and argument before said court, it shall be lawful for either of the parties to the issue to except to any decision of the court upon any point of evidence or law, which exception shall be noted by the court and filed of record as in civil cases.