in light of the failure of smith & knight to honour their contract, moorhouse sought the assent of the council to two measures: to complete tunnel works as far as the test shafts left behind by smith & knight, and to seek the services of another contractor by tender to complete the tunnel between the two headings. the council concurred with the first request, honouring its commitment under the terms of the contract with smith & knight to assume responsibility for the immigrant workers should the tunnel be abandoned. a decision on the second request was deferred while the council made financial arrangements.