
Vancouver City Council 1893
Mayor: Fred Cope Aldermen: R. A. Anderson (Ward 1) W. F. Salsbury (Ward 1) Henry Collins (Ward 2) J. A. Hackett (Ward 2) William Cargill (Ward 3) H. R. McCraney (Ward 3) J. L. Franklin (Ward 4) George W. Hobson
Vancouver prepares to fight injunction against Railway Bonus By-law – January 9, 1893
H.A. McIntosh claimed 71.80 for supplies to furnish the quarantine hospital. John Potter hired to complete sewer Section 8 at a cost of $9,935.40. Lawyer A. St. George Hamersley instructed to act for the City in the event of an
Investigation Committee to Count Cost of running City Hall – January 30, 1893
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. Turner was unanimously elected Foreman of the Water Works. A. St. George Hamersley was appointed City Solicitor at $2,000 per year.
Vancouver Police ordered to enforce snow removal by-law – February 13, 1893
200 copies of the Health, Liquor and Trades License By-laws to be printed in pamphlet form. The Chief of Police was instructed to enforce the clearing of snow from the sidewalks. The Edison General Electric Co Ltd City was notified
Hours of work set for civic employees – February 20, 1893
Hours of work for civic employees were fixed at 9 to 5 Monday through Friday plus 9 to 1 pm on Saturday. No reduction in the number of employees was found possible. City Council voted to expropriate 13 acres from
No seats for Press during Council meetings; Railway litigation goes on – February 27, 1893
The press again brought up the issue of suitable chairs for them during council meetings. A motion requiring two thirds support was lost. The motion would have allowed the mayor to put an end to litigation regarding the Burrard Inlet
Burrard Inlet and Fraser Valley Electric Railway bonus upheld – March 6, 1893
The Mayor empowered to stop the pending legislation with the railway company. The Street Railway Committee was dismissed; the Mayor appointed the whole Council to the new Committee. Thomas H. Butler appointed to the Police force at a salary of
Railway Bonus guarantee raised to $400,000 – April 4, 1893
In spite of a motion to put the matter off for six months, the Railway Bonus By-Law was completed, and the amount in question was raised from $350,000 to $400,000. Immediately afterward, arrangements were made for holding an “election” [referendum]
Vancouver’s budget for 1893 finalized – April 24, 1893
Vancouver’s estimated income for 1893 was $524,021.18 Expenditures were expected to be $408,941.78
Council guarantees payment from By-Law Nos. 155, 168 – April 28, 1893
A special meeting to go over the debt guarantee as amended in By-Law 168, and to finalize the Plumbing By-Law. C.F. Hutchings appointed Electric Inspector at a salary of one Dollar per year.
No Liquor Sales Allowed on By-Law Decision Day – May 1, 1893
Vancouver's Street Railway Guarantee By-Law to be voted on next week, May 8. No liquor allowed to be sold on that day until the polls close. The City Solicitor to look into claims that A. M. Beattie was selling second hand goods at the City Market, thus breaking the terms of his lease . Council received four orders of garnishment for city officials’ wages, and decided that any second occurrence would be grounds for dismissal. $5,000 paid in to the School Board’s account.
Lt. Gov. Dewdney to Open New Vancouver Y.M.C.A. – May 8, 1893
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 Hall at $15. A reward of $25 offered for information leading to conviction of those breaking windows within the City.
“C” Battery Artillery to Relocate to Vancouver? – May 29, 1893
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 sending them to Ontario, citing lack of any other military presence in British Columbia. Sergeant Heywood resented Alderman Brown's insinuation that police sleep at the Gurney Stables overnight, rather than guarding Mount Pleasant’s chickens!
BC Iron Works to supply new water main – June 21, 1893
Fire limits by-law completed; progress made on water rates by-law.
Council prepared to offer $360,000 for street railway – June 29, 1893
Aldermen McCraney and Anderson attempted to raise the sum to $380,000, but this amendment was overturned.
Talks with Street Railway company continue – July 6, 1893
The deputation from the Street Railway shareholders accepted Council’s written offer, but also proposed an alternative to outright purchase of the Company. Council appointed Mayor Cope, Alderman Anderson and the City Solicitor as a Committee to meet with the Railway
Railway purchase faces uncertain future – July 7, 1893
A written agreement had been signed between the Council’s Committee and a deputation of the shareholders of the Vancouver Electric Railway + Light Co. Ltd. for the City to purchase the assets of company. However, Aldermen Collins and Hackett’s motion
Railway purchase by-law stalled on second reading – July 17, 1893
The issue of the City’s Purchase of the Street Railway continued to be divisive: Aldermen Anderson, Collins, Hackett, Cargill, McCraney and Brown were prepared to hear first reading of the proposed by-law.
Fire limits by-law completed – August 31, 1893
Fire limits by-law completed; progress made on water rates by-law.
November 28 to be final property tax extension date – September 30, 1893
The final date to pay property tax without 20 per cent surcharge was extended to November 28, 1893.
New Police Uniforms Needed – October 9, 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 with Victoria City Council.
H. R. Bellamy to get $230 for testing “the Narrows” – October 11, 1893
The plumbing by-law was also completed. This transcript was made in 2019 by Transcribimus volunteer Anonymous original handwritten minutes here City of Vancouver Archives COV S 31 Volume 5 page 566 only [volume 5 page 566] Vancouver October 11th 1893
Militia Department Allows Reservoir in Stanley Park – November 27, 1893
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 for work on the reservoir. The matter was referred back to the Committee. The Chief of Police was instructed to take steps to prevent the sale of cigarettes to boys. Mr. Oppenheimer was notified that the wandering cows he complained of were wandering mostly outside the limits of the City Pound's authority.
Water Commissioners and Civic Election by-laws complete – December 14, 1893
A special meeting to finalize the Water Commissioners’ By-Law and the Civic Election By-Law. This transcript was made in 2019 by Transcribimus volunteer Leah Minuk original handwritten minutes here City of Vancouver Archives COV S 31 Volume 5 pages 635
Restaurant owners challenge hotel’s wooden building – December 18, 1893
Hotel owners want to know why the Richmond Hotel was allowed to build a wooden structure, after they had been denied permission. Alderman Collins resigned from as Alderman for Ward Two. He and Alderman Brown also resigned as School Trustees.
Street loafers will be moved along – December 26, 1893
William Airey claimed compensation for injury while working at “the Narrows.” The condition of the Richmond Hotel is found to be within the fire bylaw. Street corner loafers will be moved along by the police. The Board of Works recommends
Mass firing averted; referred to next Council – January 2, 1894
The Health Officer reported two cases of diptheria in December 1893. Council overturns its former decision to allow Oppenheimer Brothers to construct a railway siding to their premises. By-law established to elect an Alderman for Ward No 2 and two
No pay for injured water main worker – January 8, 1894
The Fire Water and Light Committee recommended William Aviy be allowed half time [pay] since his injury working on the water main – Council disallowed. Council approved the Finance committee’s recommendation to write off 240.00 in back taxes.
Final meeting for Council for 1893 – January 15, 1894, 11:00 a.m.
Council for 1893 held its final meeting. John Johnstone to be paid $133.00 for election services.