Mr Walker also constructed the Swansea Harbour Works and the Prince of Wales Dock (which was opened by royalty a few years ago.) These works were completed in June, 1879, at a total cost of nearly £200,000. The deceased gentleman also acted as agent for Messrs Waring Brothers in connection with the formation of certain of the Metropolitan Railways, and also an important line in Hungary. During his early days Mr Walker was assistant to the late Mr Brassey, the eminent railway contractor, and father of the present Sir Thomas Brassey ; and he was also prominently identified in the carrying out of the line from the Thames Tunnel to East London - from the Mansion House to the Tower of London. In conjunction with his brother, the late Mr Charles Walker, the deceased likewise constructed a considerable portion of the Garston Dock in Liverpool, for the London and North Western Railway Company. This, with the railway works in Canada, were some Mr Walker's first efforts on his own account. Mr Walker possessed remarkable power for organisation of work and workmen, indeed, this seemed to be one of the principal traits of his character as a railway king. He was a man of somewhat quick temperament and active brain, but was highly respected by his immense staffs of employees, and as an employer of labour he was always reputed to pay a higher rate of wages than contractors of public works generally.

MR J. WOLFE BARRY, C.E., IN REFERENCE TO THE WHITECHAPEL RAILWAY.

Mr J. Wolfe Barry, M. Inst. C.E., the principal engineer for Barry Dock, in a paper prepared by him in connection with the Institute of Civil Engineers, wrote thus of the setting out and commencement of the works in connection with the Whitechapel Extension of the Metropolitan Railway : -

"In the meantime the Metropolitan Company, which had already bought land south of Aldgate, was anxious to proceed with the portion of the line from Aldgate to Trinity Square, and it was eventually arranged that it should construct this part of the line without waiting for the completion of the negotiations with the public bodies. Accordingly this portion of the works was commenced in 1881 under Mr Joseph Tomlinson, junr., as engineer of the Metropolitan Company (Mr T. A. Walker being the contractor), and was completed as far as the east side of Trinity Square in 1882. Matters having at length been arranged as to the contributions by the public bodies, the works of the remainder of the undertaking were commenced by Mr T. A. Walker as contractor in August, 1882, and were completed and opened for traffic (together with the Whitechapel extension) in October, 1884. Mr E. P. Seaton was resident engineer and Mr J. Wardhaugh, contractor's agent on the Inner Circle railway works. Mr R. C. H. Davison was resident engineer, Mr D. P. Nott, contractor's agent on the Whitechapel extension. The location and setting out of a railway amid such a collection of streets, churches, railway stations, warehouses, shops, and offices, as exists between Mansion House station and the Tower of London, was a matter involving anxious consideration by all, and great care on the part of the executive staff. It was often a question of a few inches whether an important and expensive building could or could not be avoided, the decision involving an expenditure or saving of many thousands of pounds."

THE GREAT CONTRACTOR HIMSELF ON HIS WORK AT THE SEVERN TUNNEL.