Rees early aspired to Parliamentary honors. He unsuccessfully contested West Adelaide at the general election in 1871; but the death of Captain Hart, January 28, 1872, creating a vacancy in the representation of the Burra, Mr. Rees successfully contested that district, and was returned as its representative. He represented the Burra during three Parliaments. In 1881 at the general election he was unsuccessful, but on the retirement of Mr. F. E. H. W. Krichauff, in 1882, he was elected in his stead for the district of Onkaparinga, and he has since continued to represent Onkaparinga in the House of Assembly. Mr. Rees held the position of Minister of Education in the Hon. Sir William Morgan's Ministry, which took office in 1878.
Capt. Thomas Allen
WAS one of the oldest shipmasters connected with South Australia. He "joined the great majority" at Alberton, on Sept. 14, 1885, in his 69th year; and those acquainted with him at Port Adelaide will long remember his affable manners, and kind cheery visage. He was a man brim full of information on nautical subjects, and never more in his element than when recounting some of the strange episodes in which he had been the chief actor. One of these, vouched for as true, will bear repetition here. "He took the last batch of convicts hence to Hobart, and as the vessel sailing previously with prisoners—the Lady Denison—was never heard of after leaving Port Adelaide, Capt. Allen took such precautions that he delivered his freight in good order and condition, though his vessel had a narrow escape from being taken charge of by the prisoners on board. Among the convicts committed to Capt. Allen's charge was a well-known resident in Adelaide, who had formerly held a responsible position in the city. He, however, violated the trust reposed
