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Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 6292, 30 October 1891, Page 2

Mb Rees next shows what additional services he rendered to his West Coast native clients. He says :—" Subsequently to this (the Public Accounts Committee's enquiry) Te Whiti, Tohu, Titokowharu, and several of their followers were arrested and thrown into gaol at Wellington. Several of them were ill. They applied to be released on bail, but their requests were opposed. Going to Wellington I saw them in gaol; acted for them, and, after considerable trouble and expense, I procured bail, took Magistrates up to the prison, and on affidavits, and on producing sufficient bail, obtained their release. I then went through their cases, spent several weeks with them and for them in Wellington, and finally appeared for them in the Supreme Court, from which, as Te Whiti refused to plead, I retired, after explanations made to the Chief Justice and with his consent. This was done on my former retainer, and without further payment. I have during many years given other advice and assistance to sections of the West Coast nativeß always without fee or reward. I Submit that I have as true a right to retain the £300 paid to me as Sir William Fox has to the two twousand or three thousand pounds paid to him for his services as Commissioner."