APPENDIX III 421 



to schedule any other weed as noxious, and to exempt any river 

 bed should he see fit. Later Acts (1905 and 1907) give further 

 powers for the compulsory destruction of noxious weeds. Act 

 No. 20 of 1907 empowers the Governor to make regulations 

 dealing with the furnishing of guarantees as to the purity and 

 germination of any seed purchased, for preventing the sale of 

 seeds not of the quality guaranteed, for preventing the sale of 

 killed or dyed seeds, and for providing for the regular analysis 

 of seeds intended for sale. It is not incumbent on the vendor 

 to furnish a guarantee of purity and germination, but the absence 

 of such guarantee does not exempt him from prosecution in the 

 event of killed or dyed seeds being found in the seed sold by 

 him. Other clauses deal with prosecutions under the Act, and 

 with penalties in case of contravention of the Act or regulations 

 made thereunder. 



In Natal, Law No. 38 of 1874 renders occupiers of land 

 upon which the Bathurst Burr (Xanthium spinosum] is found 

 growing and bearing seed liable to a penalty of not more than 

 -$. Powers of entry to destroy are given under the Act. Act 

 No. 20 of 1901 includes two other weeds in the above Act. 



In the Orange River Colony, Chapter cxxvi. of the Law Book 

 orders that every owner, occupier, or user of a farm shall be 

 bound to exterminate, bury, or burn the weed known as Xanthium 

 spinosum. The Landdrost has power to do this in default, and to 

 recover costs. Persons travelling with animals on which seed of 

 this plant is found are liable to prosecution and penalties. The 

 Law also applies to the Scotch Thistle, except that on repre- 

 sentations from twenty-five landowners in a ward its operation 

 may be withheld, 



In the Transvaal, the Minister of Agriculture introduced a 

 Bill, which received the royal assent on 3oth June 1909, to 

 make better provision for the eradication of noxious weeds. 

 Under this term are included Xanthium spinosum, and any 

 other plant which the Governor may proclaim by notice in the 

 Gazette, to be a noxious weed either in the whole Colony or 

 in specified parts. The Governor has power to make regula- 

 tions compelling the destruction of noxious weeds, and pre- 

 scribing the manner of destruction, and of empowering officers 

 to inspect land and to serve notices on occupiers. In default 

 of action by the occupier the destruction may be carried out, 



