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

Alderman McGuigan moved and alderman Gavan seconded that henceforth all Committee meetings be held in private. Liquor license payments to be refunded for unsuccessful applicants. Letter received from Miss Bowes, a frequent writer to Council, drawing attention to the Social

The Council granted the Water Works contract for cast iron pipes, lead pipes, and lead to Bell-Irving and Paterson, commerical merchants at 436 Cordova Street. Use of the hall at the City Market was granted free for a hospital fund-raiser.

Letter received from R.D. Pith thanking Council for giving  him an artificial leg.  Condition of city street lights is a problem.  The Vancouver Electric Railway & Light Co. “urged to erect all lights that they had been notified to purchase

Present staff of Capilano Water Works to be kept on when the purchase by the City is complete. Temporary financing arranged with the Bank of British Columbia while debentures sold in London. This transcript was made in 2018 by Transcribimus

The Finance Committee recommended the purchase of two sea lions that were currently on display at a price of $115. Aldermen Franklin, Connon and Gavin appointed to meet with the Jockey Club about Hastings Park. Council also sent a request

Council met with representatives of the Burrard Inlet and Fraser River Valley Railway Company, who were requesting a bonus of $300,000 and explained how they intended to expend that sum. Council decided to grant that sum by purchasing stock in

Council reviewed and amended a draft agreement with the Burrard Inlet and Fraser River Valley Railway Company. City Solicitor to prepare amended draft to take to Council on Monday April 4, 1892.

Malcom A. MacLean (first Mayor of Vancouver) unanimously favoured by Council as Sheriff of the newly-formed Judicial District of the City of Vancouver. Current Mayor Cope to call a public meeting to decide whether to form a Militia Corps. Mr.

Thee debate was fierce over the Police Committee’s recommendation that the police force forcibly demolish private shacks and cabins to ensure the City’s jurisdiction over the area.   Alderman Scoullar Franklin and Odlum objected to the idea; the rest found them

Lawyer J.J. Blake informed council that his client Mrs. Mary Winch had a $300 mortgage on the Hose Wagon. Officer O’Grady was granted $15.00 for a suit of clothing, and (cemetery groundskeeper) Mr. Alex McDonald’s salary was raised by $10.00

Taxpayers to be polled June 21, 1892 regarding tax increase to fund schools, sewers and water works extensions. Council refuses (by one vote) to reimburse former Mayor Oppenheimer $500 spent out of his own funds on City business. A.M. Beattie

The services of nurses Sister Frances (of St. Luke Home, 309 Cordova St) and Edith Lyle of the Victoria Salvation Army offered to Vancouver Council for the Small Pox Pest House (quarantine facility). Vaccination made compulsory for children of school

The location for the new Pest House (quarantine facility) to be determined by the Board of Works.  Cabins behind the Market Hall to be burned, as recommended by the Health Inspector. Vancouver Council writes letter of concern and protest to

Council will attend July 4th celebrations in Seattle. Westminster and Vancouver Tramway officials complain of cows “running at large” on their tracks. W. S. Westcott awarded the contract for laying flexible water main across the Second Narrows. This transcript was

Money enclosed with applications for licenses to be returned if the license is not granted.  The City Solicitor was asked to look into the question of whether an Alderman had the right to contract with the City for school construction.

Vancouver decided to defer quarantine of vessels from Victoria until “more definite information” could be obtained. Several clergymen addressed Council, urging them to enforce prostitution laws. Several people whose clothes were destroyed by health officials request compensation. This transcript was

Labour Day (August 11 in 1892) to be granted as a public holiday. The Board of Health empowered to buy a site for a separate Chinese “pest house” (isolation hospital) within the City limits. City to ask the provincial government

Mayor Townsend of New Westminster announced he would raise a quarantine on New Westminster Monday July 25 if other municipalities would do the same. John Brenton appointed temporary Health Inspector, Alderman Anderson as Acting Mayor. This transcript was made in

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 page 97 only [vol 5, pg 97] Vancouver July 27th 1892

Because the volume of trade has decreased, the deadline for receiving a 20% tax rebate will be extended to August 15. All material used in the new sewers (except Portland Cement) to be a product of British Columbia. $10,000 placed

Informal discussion of the proposed $300,000 bonus to the Burrard Inlet & Fraser Valley Railway Co.

Because of the continuing smallpox epidemic, the B.C. Government has appointed a health inspector to examine train passengers arriving and leaving Vancouver. The City of Vancouver objects to paying that health inspector’s salary. One more case of smallpox reported. Miss

J. J. Nickson was dismissed as superintendent of the Water Works with one month’s salary in lieu of notice. The Police Committee’s recommendation that J. M. Beattie be allowed to build a shed on the Market grounds was overturned. This

Leatherdale + Smith claims damages to a horse and “rig” while it was rented by the City. Mr. R.D. Pitt is also claiming damages for the loss of his leg, while Mrs. Staff is claiming compensation for her salary while

Mayor Cope cast the deciding vote on a motion to postpone third reading of the the Railway Bonus By-law. In favour of adjourning the meeting till the next morning: Aldermen Collins, Scoullar, Gavin & Mills. Opposed to a delay: Anderson,

Council directed the Fire, Water and Light Committee to proceed with another company once a settlement was made with Costello and Munro for work done to date. This transcript was made in July of 2018 by Transcribimus volunteer Anonymous original

Mr. Abbott of the C. P. R. allowed 180 cubic yards of rock at the same prices as City. Thomas Allen to be paid $450.00 for purchase of a team of horses for the Fire Department.

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