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17 company having powers to tunnel to meet them. This not having been done, the promoters were obliged to apply for the extension of three years provided for in the concession."

"In the same year, however, a second English scheme was brought forward, in addition to the original 'Channel Tunnel Company'. This new scheme was initiated by the chairman of the South Eastern Railway Company, and was based on the results of experiments made by sinking shafts on the property of that railway company in the neighbourhood of Dover.

"These experiments, for which the South Eastern Railway Company, under the sanction of an Act of Parliament, had authorised the directors to spend 20,000l, were continued during 1881, and at an extraordinary general meeting of the South Eastern Railway Company held in London on the 16th June, 1881 (reported in the 'Times' of the 17th June, 1881, see p. 182), the Chairman (Sir Edward W. Watkin, M.P.), announced to the shareholders that the results showed the possibility of completing an experimental Tunnel seven feet in diameter within a period of five years, work being carried on simultaneously from both ends. The Chairman, moreover referred to an understanding between himself and M. Raoul Duval, one of the original French promoters, to whom the concession of 1876 had been granted.

"The report of this meeting having attracted the attention of the Board of Trade, a suggestion was made to the War Office that a Departmental Committee should be appointed, the War Department, the Admiralty, and the Board of Trade being represented on the Committee (p. 182).

"In consequence of this suggestion a Committee, composed as follows, was appointed on the 22nd August, 1881.—(pp. 182-185).

Mr. Farrer, Chairman, representing the Board of Trade.

Vice-Admiral Phillimore,&emsp;&ensp;„the Admiralty.

Colonel J. H. Smith, E.E.,&ensp; „the War Office.

"The documents brought before the Committee comprised a memorandum by Lord Wolseley, dated 10th December, 1881 (p. 210; from which I have already quoted, and shall refer to again further on), and a memorandum by Sir John Adye, dated