Excerpt from Report of the Select Committee on the Ostrich Feathers Theft Repression Bill: August, 1907
Select Committee appointed by Order of the Legislative Council dated the 9th July, 1907, to report upon the Ostrich Feathers Theft Repression Bill; the Committee to have power to take evidence and call for papers, and to consist of Messrs. Hukkdall, P. D. De Villiers, Bellingan, I. J. Yan Zyl, H. C. Van Zyl and Michau.
Your Committee beg to report that they have considered the Bill referred to them and also the evidence which they have taken on the subject. They are unanimously of opinion that Legislation dealing with Ostrich Feather Thefts is urgently required, and should be introduced this Session.
Your Committee do not think that the Bill as introduced into the Council by the Honourable the Attorney-General quite meets the case, and are of opinion that it requires so many amendments that they would recommend its withdrawal and the substitution of another Bill in lieu thereof on the following lines: -
(1) Licences to purchase Feathers and Ostrich Feather Broker's Licences should be issued by Resident Magistrates upon being satisfied that the applicants are fit and proper persons to hold them.