The Sun.
London, England, 1830-06-23 00:00:00

THAMES TUNNEL COMPANY.

Yesterday a Special General Meeting of the Pro-
prietors of Shares in the above undertaking was held
at the City of London Tavern ; Mr. Wm. SMITH,
M.P., in the Chair.
The CHAIRMAN stated that the Meeting had been
called to give the Proprietors all the information re-
lative to the general business of the Thames Tunnel,
and to communicate the issue of the steps adopted
to ascertain whether the work could be completed
in any other way than originally commenced.
The Secretary, Mr. BIRKETT, read the Directors'
Report. It stated that—
" At the previous Special General Assembly in
June 1829, the Proprietors were pleased to pass the
following resolutions—viz.
" That it is expedient to. empower the Directors,
and they are hereby empowered, to adopt any other
mode of carrying on the work, preserving the same
dimensions and internal appearance, with equal
strength, which shall appear to them likely to ensure
its completion, and to treat with, engage, and em-
ploy any party or parties who may be willing to carry
on and contract for the same, on such terms as shall
appear to the Directors to warrant the expectation
of obtaining a sum sufficient for the accomplishment
either of the Tunnel alone, or with the necessary
approaches thereto, and who shall pr►duce security
for the performance of such contract or contracts.
" The Directors have in consequence held their
regular meetings to receive any proposals which the
publication of those resolutions might still occasion,
but none of any promise has been made, save that of
Mr. Vignoles.
" The Directors have since had correspondence
and conferences with that gentleman ; and he having
finally offered specific. terms, anti a guarantee to the
amount of 15,0001. (such guarantee to be to the
satisfaction of your Directors) that the Tunnel
should be finished to the shaft in Wapping, the
Directors proceedeu to lay the whole of Mr. Vig-
noles's plan before three scientific gentlemen for
their opinion of its efficacy. These gentlemen were
approved by both parties—James Walker, Esq.,
William Tierney Clark, Esq., and Peter Barlow,
Esq. They have considered the whole of the former
process by examining the assistant engineers and
the operative workmen, have seen the result of the
various borings of the river, inspected the present
situation of the Tunnel, and received from Mr. Vig-
noles himself the explanations of his plans for pro-
ceeding with the Tunnel.
" The return to the references made to them is
condemnatcry of the plan of Mr. Vignoles, and stated
that the plan of Mr. Vignoles could not be carried
into execution.

" The Directors deem it their duty to take the
opinion of the Proprietors as to the future conduct
of the affairs of the Tunnel.

- " " It will be in the recollection of the Proprietors
that the opinions communicated either for remedying
the effects of the accidents, or for carrying on the
work, have been very numerous, amounting to up-
wards of 400 ; but none have been so persevering
in confidence of success as that of Mr. Vignoles. It
is but justice to this gentleman to say, that not
only has he taken a great deal of pains to accom-
plish his projects, but was actually at considerable
expense in the examination which he deemed neces-
sary for his own personal satisfaction.
" But the failure of this plan, by such a condem-
nation of it, renders it impossible fcr the Directors
to adopt it, and leaves them with only the satisfac-
tion of having, in conformity with the resolution of
June, 1829, given full opportunity for other talents,
besides those of the present engineer, to proffer
their service.
" Since the determination of the referees, a direct
application has been made to his Majesty's Govern-
ment, and the Directors have received the reply
which they must confess they anticipated.
" The substance of the answer was, that though
the Duke is of opinion that the Tunnel is a magni-
ficent work which may eventually be very useful, he
considers it impossible for Government, under the
present circumstances of the country, either to pur-
chase or to make any advance on account of it, as it
is incumbent on him to avoid any expense which is
not necessary or immediately useful to the country.
" His good-will is manifest in the manner in which
he speaks of this undertaking, and he would doubt-
less in his individual capacity, though not officially,
favour any reasonable and promising mode which
the Proprietors or the public might attempt to finish
this work ; but the Directors are not at present pre-
pared to propose to this Court any such mode by
which the same could be expected.
" The only plan for finishing the Tunnel which
now remains for the consideration of the Proprietors
seems to be that of Mr. Brunel, to which, therefore,
with its corresponding estimates, the Directors would
again call the attention of the Proprietors, with the
view of enabling them, under the present circum-
stances, to form their ultimate judgmen,."
The CHAIRMAN observed that, with respect to
the communication with Government, it was expected
that, from the known partiality of the Duke of Wel-
lington (Or the project, he would, on further applica-
tion, be induced to come forward, but the answer of
the Duke put that matter at rest. The Dirt eters,
therefore, were at present destitute of any means for
carrying on the Tunnel. Two or three schemes had
been proposed. The money the Company had re-
maining was small, 4,5901. in Exchequer bills, with
a very small balance at the banker's, &c. The Company
was in the receipt of from 401. to 501. a-week from