MR. REES AND SIR JOHN COODE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 15, 2 June 1880, Page 3

MR. REES AND SIR JOHN COODE.

! [per united press association.] The following appears in the Auckland Star of the 21st May:— "Among the passengers expected from Sydney, by the s.s. Rotomahana, is Mr. J. R. Rees, Enginee of the Taranaki Harbour Board, who went home to England some months ago to purchase the necessary plant for works at New Plymouth ; also, to consult with the designer,' Sir. John Ooode. We understand that Sir John Coode, instead of, as mignt have been expected, doing all in his power to facilitate the object of Mr Eees'd visit, threw every possible obstacle in his way, and, but for that gentleman's persistent energy and determination, would have renderd his journey abortiive. The explanation of this remarkable conduct appears to be that, as a rule, Sir John Coode nominates friends or puplis of his own to overlook the Colonial Harbor works ; and also that he generally purchases plant himself, receiving, of course, thumping commission thereon. If this is indeed so, Mr. Rees's presence in London must have been gall and wormwood to the gallant knight, and we haye very little doubt he , made himself disagreeable, although jwhat occurred has not transpired yet, but. in due course Mr. Rees will make a formal report to his Board, and we shall then learn all about it. Those Harbor Boards who have given work to Sir John Coode are particularly interested." Commenting on the above, the Taranaki Herald remarks: — "We publish amongst our telegrams to-day, one sent us by the Auckland agent of the United Press Association, being an extract from the Auckland Star, respecting Mr. Rees (the Harbor Engineer) "and Sir John Coode. The statements regaVding Sir John Coode ai m e so scandalous that we are rather surprised at a respectable paper like the Star giving insertion to it without the editor first making himself better acquainted with the facts of the case! We have published the telegram that the matter may be seen and enquired into, so that its paternity may be brought home to the party or parties who have evidently inspired it."