Sponsorship for the 1893 Vancouver City Council minutes is still available.
The transcriptions were made by volunteers Gerald Soon, Mary-Ann Capistrano, Krystyna Richards, Joanne McCormick, Cathy Harner, Linda Evans, Leah Minuk & anonymous.
Click on any headline to see the full transcript of that meeting.
The Fire Water & Light Committee proposed that the Capilano Waterworks upon its completion be overseen by Assistant Engineer J. P. Lawson, freeing up City Engineer to attend to other matters. This clause was struck out of their report: only Aldermen McGuigan and Franklin supported the original proposal. Another report…
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The question of land for the Burrard Inlet and Fraser Valley Railway Co was referred to incoming Council. Final accounts from committees were approved, including an amount of $6314.73 for school teachers’ salaries. It was recommended that the annual reports of each Committee be printed.
An extra $1500 was granted to the school board to allow them to hire “the best men” as secondary school teachers. Theo Hardiman was granted $150.00 in compensation for his daughter’s injuries, due to her falling off the sidewalk on Cordova Street. The City Solicitor was looking into whether one…
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An Investigation Committee to examine the cost of running the City Hall, Fire Brigade and Police Force: the number of employees, their salaries and duties. Doctor Thomas appointed Medical Health Officer at $50 per month; some of his duties were to "examine lunatics" and treat prisoners in jail. John P.…
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It must have been a snowy month: David Oppenheimer asked police to forbid drivers from using street railway tracks during heavy snows, and W.G. Elliott threatened he would hold the City liable unless the snow was cleared off Cambie and Hastings Street near his property. At the same time, a…
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Council members met with David and Isaac Oppenheimer, Thomas Dunn and William Farrell, the directors of the Vancouver Electric Railway and Light Company. Alderman Salsbury removed himself from the negotiations, as he was a shareholder of the company.
The final conditions for the Street Railway’s expansion into the City Streets were laid out. One thousand copies of health code violation notices to be printed, where the health inspector or the police can fill in the details of the violation. Quality of milk sold in the City to be…
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A. W. Scoullar appointed temporary Health Inspector at $3.00 per day. The swing on the Granville Street bridge to be repaired at once. Burrard Street to be re-graded for paving with “bituminous rock”.
Messrs Gilbertson & Sharp to supply new police uniforms and helmets; $28 for policemen, $33 for sergeants, $38 for the Chief. Alderman Fowler and the Pounds Keeper be authorized to sell a colt belonging to the City. Prosecution of the Dupont Street women [prostitutes] to be done by the Police…
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Vancouver City Council disapproves of the BC Government’s recent [April 1893] decision to set aside $600,000 for government buildings “when the money should be spent in opening up roads for the settlers, also their breach of faith with the Mainland in not bringing down a fair distribution bill.”
Lt. Governor Dewdney and wife to be received in Vancouver May 18 to open the new Y.M.C.A. Building; Mayor and Council invited. Miss Mcfie appointed hospital Matron at $50 per month, Mr. T. Martin hospital Cook at $30, and J. A. Gow appointed Call Man at the Mount Pleasant Fire…
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A petition from A. St. George and others “confirming wash houses within certain limits” led to a by-law being formed, read three times, and finalized during the meeting. Council “regrets the action” of the School Board’s criticism of Council’s decision not put forward a by-law for more school building, and…
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Contract was awarded to install a bath in the jail for $62. In spite of requests from the hotel keepers not to raise the liquor licensing fee, a new By-Law was drafted and another to repeal the old one. Requests came in to connect the Market Building to the sewer…
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This transcript was made in 2020 by Transcribimus volunteer Joanne McCormick Illustration: City of Vancouver Archives photo CVA 99-3069 [Vancouver Brewery, 1936] to see original handwritten minutes – click here City of Vancouver Archives COV S 31 Volume 5 page 430 only [Volume 5, Page 430] Vancouver May 25th 1893 The…
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Mr. Beatty [Market superintendent] and the Health Inspector to discuss how to improve drainage at the City Market. Collectors to be paid ten cents for each new name they add to the Provincial Voters’ List. City Council urges Victoria to relocate C Battery of Canadian Artillery to Vancouver, rather than…
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$1,000 was granted toward upcoming Dominion Day celebration, if the committee could prove all of last year’s bills were paid. A separate plot set aside for the burial of firemen “who may die in the service of the City”. The question of under what authority Mr Beattie collected $1.50 for…
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The Chief of the Fire Department authorized to purchase a hose wagon for $540.00. City Engineer be authorized to make arrangements with Chief Capilano for a stable for the horse at the north side of the Narrows, the cost not to exceed $20.00. City Sinking Funds were closed and the…
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The Street Inspector be instructed to put down a “3 plank walk” along Nicola Street and Burnaby Street to the beach at English Bay. Mrs Griffin be appointed Cook at the City Hospital at a salary of $25.00 per month dating from June 15th and Miss Logan housekeeper at $20.00…
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The City Engineer will interview two applicants for the position of caretaker of the bathing sheds on English Bay. The Edison General Electric Company billed the City $140.50 for wiring the hospital.
Charges for new English Bay bath house not to be more than 5 cents for supply of a towel and [bathing] suit. A minimum of 20 percent of the changing stalls to be left free of charge. Swimming hours to be “not less” than six am (!) to 8 pm.…
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The Fire, Water & Light Committee continues its research into tunnelling “the narrows”, and asked the City Engineer to examine the strata below the waters. A pair of horses was purchased for $500, and the Number Two Fire Hall was approved to have plumbing installed at a cost of $231.Continue…
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Letter from G. Griffith re the excavations at the corner of Pender & Seymour and Pender & Richards was referred to the Street Inspector. Illustration shows Pender & Seymour intersection at 1888.
Ratepayer asked that Grant Street be extended 100 feet east of Victoria Drive. Illustration shows Grant Street at Victoria Drive, clearing a lot for a blacksmith shop, 1905.
Letter asking Columbia Brewery be made to remove their troughs from the street. Illustration shows Columbia Brewery at north side of Powell Street at Wall Street and Victoria Drive.
The Council accepted an invitation to attend the Labour Day Parade, and allowed the Fire Brigade to participate. Council gives orders to the City Foremen to give preference in hiring men who can prove they pay Vancouver Municipal taxes. R. MacLeod to build a new Operating Room for the city…
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South Vancouver notified that Vancouver will gravel South Granville St. within City limits (Sixteenth Avenue) but that the Westminster Road is well gravelled already as far as the City Limits extend.
Claims for compensation were brought against the City of Vancouver for the death of Fireman Smalley in June of 1893. Illustration shows Vancouver firemen responding to a night alarm 1890-95.
Alderman Fowler asked for a review of taxes received and amounts spent on improvements in Ward 5 west of Center Street. Ward 5 in 1893 was roughly Mount Pleasant, Fairview, and Kitsilano but only as far south as 16th Avenue.
The Board of Plumbing Inspectors, representatives from the plumbers’ union and Master Plumbers were invited to meet with the Board of Works to consult on the new bylaw.
The Chief of Police was instructed to see that bicycle riders exercise more care to avoid accidents when riding on the public streets. Illustration shows a bicycle race at Brockton Oval July 1, 1893.
Tenders for new police uniforms invited. Request for street light at the corner of 13th and Ontario St. denied for the present. Finance Committee’s recommendation to appoint C. McRae as Assessor was overturned. A house for volunteer nurse Mrs. Hansell to the lepers on Darcy Island is proposed in co-operation…
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Cabs may stand on Abbott Street between Water and Hastings Streets.
John Mason wrote to request Graveley Street be opened up. [Photo shows the Mason home].
Former Mayor David Oppenheimer complained of cows roaming on the tramway tracks within city limits.
Council endorsed a petition for the B. C. Government to open up a road from “the Squamish” to Pemberton Meadows. Photo shows Squamish First Nations Brass Band about 1900.
Trustees for the Vancouver Tramway Co. will wait until By-Law is approved before going ahead with new tracks. City Clerk asked to look into cost for proper milk testing services. Entire Council to attend upcoming Vancouver Municipal Association meeting in New Westminster. This transcript was made in 2019 by Transcribimus…
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Communication received from the Militia Department giving permission to construct a Reservoir in Stanley Park. Although D.V. MacDonald had been selected as the contractor to build the Reservoir at a meeting of the Fire Water and Light Committee on November 24, both MacDonald and George W. Fuller withdrew their tenders…
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The road around Stanley Park needs repairs. Photo shows cyclers in Stanley Park, ca 1890.
Council received a request for a sidewalk on Ontario St. at Ninth Avenue (Broadway). Photo shows Ontario at 11th.
City Council received a complaint of “loafers” at the corner of Carrall and Cordova Street. Photo shows men and a boy (not necessarily loafers!) standing outside the Boulder Saloon at that same corner, ca. 1900