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 64 (8) absence of the ward for a prolonged period, such as furnishes a presumption of his death, in which case his property is divided amongst his testamentary or intestate heirs, security being given for its return in the event of the ward's reappearance; (9) (in South Africa) the insolvency of the guardian and, so far as concerns the property, of the ward.

The union of man and wife in marriage produces important consequences in the Law of Persons. In this chapter we shall consider: (1) the contract to marry; (2) the legal requisites of marriage; (3) the consequences of marriage; (4) antenuptial contracts; (5) the dissolution of marriage; (6) some miscellaneous matters relating to marriage.

Marriage is commonly preceded by espousals, which constitute a binding contract between the parties. No form is prescribed for the contract. Any persons competent to intermarry may validly engage themselves. This excludes boys and girls below fourteen and twelve years of age respectively. By the Dutch Law young persons who have passed this limit but not reached the age of twenty-five (if males), of twenty (if females), cannot contract a valid engagement without the consent of father