173. (1) On the presentation to any court by or on behalf of any person subject to this Act of a certificate from the proper authority, that leave of absence has been granted to him or has been applied for by him for the purpose of prosecuting or defending any suit or other proceeding in such court, the court shall, on the application of such person, arrange as far as may be possible, for the hearing and final disposal of such suit or other proceeding within the period of leave so granted or applied for. (2) The certificate from the proper authority shall state the first and the last day of leave or intended leave, and shall set forth a description of the case with respect to which the leave was granted or applied for. (3) No fee shall be payable to the court in respect of the presentation of any such certificate, or in respect of any application by or on behalf of any such person for priority for the hearing of his case. (4) Where the court is unable to arrange for the hearing and final disposal of the suit or other proceeding within the period of such leave or intended leave as aforesaid, it shall record its reasons for such inability and shall cause a copy thereof to be furnished to such person on his application without any payment whatever by him in respect of the application for such copy or of the copy itself or otherwise. (5) If in any case a question arises as to the proper authority qualified to grant such certificate as aforesaid such question shall be at once referred by the court to the officer commanding the corps or unit concerned, whose decision shall be final.