391
should be faced with these difficulties and danger, was
not contemplated under the terms of their agreements. They
realise, as I do, that if the works were abandoned entire}}
nothing whatever would be done by the Chinese officials
and that it is only by facing these extreme worries and
this official incompetence
1
making menus in fact with
heir own energies and resources for the latter, that
any progress can be made.
While I demand patience and tact on the part
of our officers (which I invariably obtain) there comes
a time, long since reached on No. 2 District, whon owing
to the lack of effective support from Chinese officials
and their contemptuous inf indifference to the needs of
railway work, the heart becomes broken and must in tha und
in the acceptance by us of the resignation of the officer
so treated.
In the case of No. 2 District, should r.
Boothby, an exceptionally talented and reliable officer,
be forced to take this step with hir Assistent Engineers,
I can only say that the damage to the reputation of and to
the