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P.A. Crush

Re the management (directors) problems in the Tongshan coal mine

JPG

Letter

Claude William Kinder

Tong King Sing

Tong Colliery, Tongshan, Kaiping 12th December 1887 My dear Mr Kinder Thanks for your letter of the 6th inst. I see clearly that all the difficulties and blunders of the Railway Company originated only through Mr Ng's weaknesses for he never had the courage to say no to any of Mr Chow's dictations no matter they were right or wrong. Of course with the full confidence of the Viceroy on him (Mr Chow) though he has not the ability to carry out any enterprise himself, yet he cannot do otherwise but pretend to show that he is the ablest man in China and can make suggestions for unless he does something of that kind he won't be able to satisfy the Viceroy of his capability to fill the new appointment of "Chief Superintendent of Railroads". Two years ago he tried to dictate me in my management of [this] Company, I told him I must do things in my own way but if the Viceroy had no confidence in my management he had better send me an official discharge which I intended to publish in the papers and I would be gone in 24 hours. This put a stop to all my difficulties. Many a times had I said the progress of China would have been more rapidly made had the Central Government shown any sign of encouragement and had the Viceroy put all confidence on the promoters or [fraternities] instead of helping his parasites to rob them those of their rights. I am glad to hear that Mrs Kinder has caught the [Glensheil] at last. It would no doubt be a good Comfort to be in the Company of Mrs Henderson. We have not been able to bring a single package of the [tea] Cargo by boat to [Yeuchwang] & how much for the Teresa's cargo. I have asked Mr Brown to furnish Tongshan [line] with a list of the Teresa's cargo belonging to the Mining Company, one receipt of which Tongkee have - is 10 pieces to Tongkee to pick over the packages. The Teresa is in my opinion a cheap boat for Tls 80,000 and a capital poor man's boat to run between Newchwang and Swatow but with 300 tons on 13 feet is useless for the Peiho. Our men seem to enjoy the Tongshan [theatre] very much. We are busy with the repairs of our shaft [...] - Mr Churchwood has called – he appears to be an experienced hand – Yours truly TongKing Sing The [Linsi] shaft is 55 feet down and can manage with the water without our assistance -When will you be back? Surely you must come back here for Christmas won't you - TKS Transcripted by P. A. Crush

1887.12.12

P.A.Crush & C.W.Kinder