deed is not sufficient. A native should be questioned as to his knowledge and understanding of the subject and this should be done by the Judge and not by his interpreter. I have no faith in them. In this matter I speak from experience and I know that it will work satsifactorily and will give natives great satisfaction. I have got hold of Mr. Fentons bill a last and I do not like it one bit. It is complicated. It is written in such English that it is hard to understand (quite a contrast to Sir W. Martins in that respect). It gives the Court such tremendous powers all of which centre in the Chief Judge and another bad feature in it is the mixing up of the Natives Reserves. I know quite well that Fenton looks upon the Native Department as an obstruction - but it has saved him from some serious disturbances. In the Arawa case you only stepped in just in time much mischief had been done and the consequences will yet be felt for many a day. I would rather see the present act as it is than see the Bill proposed pass in its present shape.