1892 Vancouver City Council Minutes

The election of Fred Cope (b. 1860, d. 1897) in 1892 was the closest in Vancouver’s history, with a winning margin of 11 votes over his rival Dr. J.T. Carroll. Cope was also the youngest mayor in Vancouver history, only

Newly-elected Mayor Fred Cope gave address. The Finance Committee, Standing Committee on Works, Board of Health, the Fire, Water & Light Committee, and the Market & Police Committee were established. Last year’s Council and Committees overspent $66,000; $45,000 of which

William Sutherland appointed tax collector at $75 per month; J.A. Reid poundkeeper at $50 per month. Committee formed to acquire Vancouver Electric Railway Co. Account of all city salaries for 1891 called for. A recommendation from the finance committee to

Complaint received from Philip Fewster of his being ill-treated at Police Court.  Miss Swan reappointed as Matron at the City Hospital at $50 a month and allowed an assistant at $15.  W.G. March appointed as hospital cook and Frank Humphries

A by-election was established for Ward 2 to replace Alderman Scoullar. Plumbing for the hospital addition and 34 new Lawson-Tait hospital beds were ordered for the hospital. All requests for street work to be laid over until estimates can be

Alderman McGuigan led opposition to the proposal that the Aldermen with the highest number of votes be appointed for a two-year term; proposal carried nevertheless. Rates raised for the rental of the Market Hall for all users, including the Zion

 Arthur Cecil Green appointed night nurse at the hospital; monthly salary $30.00 E. G. McGarrigle and others petitioned that Oppenheimer Street be renamed Cordova St. The Lacrosse Club granted the use of City Hall for April 24, and the Brockton

R.H. Alexander spoke in support of the requested $300,000 bonus for Burrard Inlet and Fraser River Valley Railway Company. Entire Council to meet with Company representatives tomorrow (Tuesday May 29, 1892). Many 53 out of 160 property owners on Oppenheimer

The C. P. R. will be asked to donate land for a Fairview recreation ground. The W. C. T. U. and the Barbers press for greater enforcement of the Sunday closing by-law. The City needs to acquire a triangular piece

Crushed rock available at city scow on wharf increased to $1.75 per yard from previous $1.50. None of the tenders received for scavengering (waste removal) accepted; matter laid over. Health Committee recommends a review of Hospital plumbing. Butcher George Matthews

Pavement for Hastings, Cordova, Carrall, Abbott and Cambie Streets to be paid by frontage tax (city pays 1/3, owners pay 2/3). Property owners on these streets must get their water and gas connections in before paving takes place. Water temporarily

The estimates of income and expenses for 1892 were presented to a Committee of the Whole. Totals estimated to be $360,865.55 A number of adjustments were proposed and carried. Rates this year will be 2 1/4 percent with 20% off.

The business of May 23 was continued. The Local Improvement By-Law was passed, with two new clauses regarding verandahs and projections. The matter of the Free Library By-Law not to be heard for another six months (November, 1892). Professor Rae

Two recent “Asiatic” ships are believed to have brought smallpox infection to the city. Council sends urgent message to the Government in Ottawa, and copies all the local Members of Parliament, urging them to review and improve the health and

English Bay Bath Houses question was deferred, as the available budget was not sufficient. Federal Minister of Marine offers to pay 91 cents per day for care of sick mariners in the city hospital. BC Department of Lands and Works

Temperance societies insist on Sunday closing. Lawn sprinkling hours restricted until the new water main is put in. No food or refreshments to be sold in Stanley Park or along the Park Road. Committee appointed to find a site for

Joint meeting of New Westminster and Vancouver City Councils to prevent the spread of smallpox from Victoria and other suspected ports. Provincial Government urged to form a Provincial Board of Health to coordinate vaccinations.

Special Meeting to appoint municipal health officer, to appoint the new hospital as a quarantine facility, and to notify the C.P.R. that no goods could come ashore until they were “thoroughly disinfected”. This transcript was made in 2017 by Transcribimus

Council unanimously backs Mayor Fred Cope’s announced smallpox quarantine. Mayors of other municipalities to be contacted to join the quarantine formed by Vancouver and New Westminster. This transcript was made in 2017 by Transcribimus volunteer Christine Cathcart and sponsored by

In an effort to curb prostitution, the allowable area for brothels will be made as small as possible. Drinking in open vehicles, “sauntering” around on foot, smoking at open windows, and other ways of attracting attention to be “wholly restrained”.

This transcript was made in 2017 by Transcribimus volunteer Christine Cathcart and sponsored by the Woodward family original handwritten minutes here City of Vancouver Archives Series 23-A Volume 5 pages 97 only [vol 5 pg 97] Vancouver July 28th 1892

Vancouver quarantine hospital upgrade to include a kitchen and nurses’ quarters, and an observation facility, plus a well and a brick-lined cesspit.

The steamer Sunbury to be subsidized $25 per week. The City Engineer was to number streets in Fairview and Mount Pleasant consistent with the numbering north of False Creek. A plan to set aside 10 acres in Stanley Park for

The sum of $10,000 was placed in the School Board’s bank account. The City of Vancouver and the Municipality of North Vancouver will cooperate in building a road beside the Capilano Creek pipeline. The Finance Committee recommended W. B. Fisher

The bonus of $2,000 was granted in 4 per cent debentures. Council also agreed to pay for fences etc. for the Jockey Club grounds.

Michael Costello was appointed arbitrator to determine the value of the lots to be expropriated by the City of Vancouver for street use. Compensation was made to several parties for loss of time and property during the recent smallpox quarantine.

“Crushed rock” (gravel) will be used to repair Westminster Avenue (now Main Street) and to surface the basement of the City Market. The Telephone company gives notice that they will have to raise the price for telephone service out to

Immediate fire by-law enacted to eliminate standing rubbish in back yards. The chain gang was assigned to level a lane way behind Beach Avenue. Street lights were approved for fifteen intersections. This transcript was made in July of 2018 by

Aldermen Anderson, Franklin and McGuigan to meet with the Library Board regarding the size of the current library. B.C. Government reports that $400 has been set aside for the North Arm (cemetery) road. Police officers’ uniforms will cost $30 each,

Two by-laws were finalized: one granting a bonus of $300,000 to the Burrard Inlet and Fraser Valley Railway Co, and the other setting a polling time, places, etc for the Railway By-Law to be “elected” [ratified] by the taxpayers.

A meeting of all the standing committee chairs found that no additional staff can be reduced past the three Engineering department employees already laid off. A new City Solicitor will be hired in the new year at a fixed yearly

Vancouver Council agreed to buy fire hydrants and valves from the B. C. Iron Works. R. A. Muskett requested a road be built to his house on Fairview. Former Mayor and current policeman Malcolm MacLean to be furnished with an

Mr. G. A. Stevenson bought $110,000 worth of Local Improvement Debentures. Awning allowed for Vancouver Opera House. Terms of employment and salary ($2,000 per year) fixed for City Solicitor. Mrs. Watmough appointed as a hospital nurse at a salary of

The Fire Brigade to take over inspection and maintenance of Vancouver fire hydrants, beginning in the new year. Mr. Pitt, who had been writing to council weekly regarding the loss of his leg, was denied $50 compensation. The city’s insurance