(g) If any person, who is not a party defendant, desires to defend or oppose or contest the said proceedings, he shall, not less than seven days after the publication of the notice of proceedings provided for in paragraph (d), give to the clerk of the court notice in writing of his intention so to do; whereupon he shall be entitled to appear at the hearing of the claim as if he were in every respect a party defendant. (h) If any party defendant fails to comply with the provisions of paragraph (f), or if he, or any person who has given the notice provided for by paragraph (g), fails to appear at the hearing of the claim on the date assigned therefor, the court shall enter his default and may thereupon proceed to hear and determine the claim forthwith on the evidence of the affidavit filed and of any certificate exhibited under paragraph (b), or may adjourn such hearing and determination to a date not more than two weeks from the date assigned for the hearing of the claim. (i) Upon hearing the evidence adduced, the court may make the declaration and order sought; or may dismiss the claim and make such order as to costs, consequential upon such dismissal, as the court deems meet. (j) In the event of a dismissal of the said claim, the Minister may elect to dispose of the said restricted seed in any other manner thereunto provided by subsection (1). (4) It is hereby declared that any act done or ordered or permitted to be done in terms of this section shall not(a) prevent the institution of criminal proceedings under this Act or under any other written law against the person to whom the said restricted seed was consigned, or his agent, or the owner thereof, or any other person; or (b) curtail or limit in any way whatsoever the powers or duties of the Cap. 322 Controller of Customs and Excise or of any customs officer under the Customs and Excise Act; or (c) affect the liability of any person for the payment of customs duty in respect of the said restricted seed; or