254. Non-appearance of respondent

If at the hearing of the appeal the respondent is not present and the court is not satisfied that the notice of appeal was duly served upon him, the court shall not make any order in the matter of the appeal adverse to or to the prejudice of the respondent, but shall adjourn the hearing of the appeal to a future day for his appearance and shall issue the requisite notice to him for service through the Registrar.

If service of the last-mentioned notice on the respondent cannot be effected, the court shall proceed to hear the appeal in his absence.[253