Sponsorship for the 1894 Vancouver City Council minutes is still available.
The transcriptions were made by volunteers Gerald Soon, Krystyna Richards, Linda Evans, Sharon Mowat, Joanne McCormick, Michelle C., Rachel Amanda Hennessy, Chris Mizzoni, Cathy Harmer, Jane Edmonds and Darrin Pezer/Proactive Building Maintenance
Click on any headline to see the full transcript of that meeting.
Vancouver needs to borrow $50,000 – January 22, 1894
Letter received from J. Buntzen, Business Manager of the Van Elec. Ry & L Co, stating that a light was to be erected on Granville Street Bridge. The City Clerk…
Vancouver officially requests “tide lands of False Creek” from BC – January 29th, 1894
Motion that Council request the Provincial Government to deed the tide lands of False Creek east of Westminster Av to the City in accordance with the motion introduced into the…
Future Vancouver street lights to be powered with hydro electricity – February 5, 1894
Vancouver City Council directed the City Engineer to look into using hydro-electric energy from the Capilano Dam (pictured) to light streets. Martin Kelly awarded the contract for cutting stone for gutters and curbstones for Hastings and Granville Streets. James Dixon got the contract to build a basement drain for Granville Street.
Relief street work to begin on Friday – February 12, 1894
Relief funding allotted at $1,000 to each of the five Wards; Aldermen to decide what street work in their ward is needed most, and hire foreman. Work to begin next…
Champion & White ousted from city crematory – February 26, 1894
Champion and White were given one month’s notice that their services (operating the city garbage burning crematory) were no longer required. Aldermen Brown, Bethune, Queen, Shaw and McFaiden appointed as…
Council empowered to borrow $100,000 – March 5, 1894
Council completed a by-law allowing the City to borrow $100,000 against the current year’s anticipated income. The Provincial Jail in New Westminster charged $462 for board of Vancouver prisoners. The…
Vancouver asks BC to incorporate High Schools, build University here – March 8, 1894
The meeting formed an official resolution to incorporate High Schools in British Columbia and to situate the Provincial University in Vancouver. This transcript was made in 2019 by Transcribimus volunteer…
Crushed rock confined to Powell Street – March 12, 1894
Tenders to be invited for rock suitable for crushing. Rock to be delivered to the crusher near the wharf at the end of Gore Avenue. Mr. Thynne had applied to…
East End race track closed except by special permission – March 19, 1894
Council ordered the East End [Hastings] race track to be closed and locked, only to be used by prior arrangement with Council. S.H. Holmes complained of dirty water coming from…
New Women’s Ward in hospital will cost $10,000 – March 27, 1894
$10,000 was set aside for a Women’s Ward in the hospital. Mr Giguere, who had two poll tax receipts, was directed that if he made an affadavit, he would not…
City takeover of Vancouver’s streetlights moves forward – April 2, 1894
John Potter was appointed Inspector of the Reservoir at $3.00 per day. Mr R. Hughes was allowed to take out a temporary three month license in the absence of his…
Council supports petition for East End post office – April 9, 1894
Council supports petition for free postal delivery and branch post office and savings bank in the East End. Cemetery caretaker allowed two weeks’ leave to recuperate from illness. The Oppenheimer…
Health Committee reviews costs – April 16, 1894
The CPR asked Vancouver to take charge of 74 Chinese lepers. Meanwhile, the Health Committee compared rates for hospital care for mariners, women, children and lepers. Victoria was receiving a…
Street Railway Company must repair its tracks – April 19, 1894
A special meeting decided that instead of removing its tracks from Vancouver streets, the Street Railway Company be instructed to upgrade its tracks to the satisfaction of the City Engineer.…
City Reviews Estimates of Costs and Revenues – April 30, 1894
Two firemen fined $5.00 each for being intoxicated on duty. The Sisters of Charity, who operated St. Paul’s hospital, given the grade for Pendrell Street. Council appointed a Committee who…
Fire Department to buy new Team – May 7, 1894
The Board of Works accepted A.E.E. Clark’s offer to supply the City with crushed rock at $1.22 per cubic yard for a term of five years. Alderman Queen and the…
Cemetery needs draining, fence repair – May 14, 1894
Cemetery caretaker Alexander McDonald reported cemetery needed both drainage and repair of the north fence. Miss R. McDowell hired as a nurse at only $10 per month. The Vancouver Electric…
Finance Committee regrets no funds available to provide public parks – May 28, 1894
D. McGillivray to lay a single street railway track on Hastings Street between Cambie & Carrall at $2.28 per foot. The Finance Committee reported the city budget did not permit more public parks for the citizens. The Board of Works recommended approval of W. Godfrey ‘s request that Burnaby Street be opened up one block south of Nicola Street provided the cost did not exceed $50.00. Bylaws for Polling and for Remuneration of the Mayor and Aldermen were finalized.
More street railway tracks to be built on Granville Street – June 4, 1894
D. McGillivray to lay another street railway track on Granville Street between Robson and Hastings. C.O. Wickenden complained of damage to his property by a city contractor during blasting. Seventeen…
Dupont Street sewer request under review – June 11, 1894
From J.M. Holland asking to be allowed to {sewer} connect his building on Dupont Street {today’s East Pender Street} with a four-inch cast iron pipe. Referred to the Board of Health. Three ladies were prominent this week in city undertakings: Mrs. Margaret E. White to take over the management of the racetrack; she will be obliged to pay $125 per year and keep the track in good repair and the road leading to it. Mrs. AEE Clark had taken over the City contract to supply crushed rock. The contract had formerly been held by Dr. Kendall. Mrs. Hansel of Victoria had volunteered to nurse the lepers on D’arcy Island. Rev. E.D. McLaren and Mr. J. Balfour asked that the joint Councils of Vancouver and Victoria provide her with a house and furniture.
Arcade Building plans sent back – June 18, 1894
C.O. Wickenden, Architect submitted plans & specifications for Arcade building to be erected at the corner of Hastings & Cambie Streets. The were referred back to the Architect to comply…
Street Railway By-Law to “Take its Course” – June 25, 1894
The City Engineer instructed to examine the “stability” of the Market Hall to accommodate large meetings. A motion to withdraw the Street Railway By-Law was overturned, and the By-Law allowed to “take its course”. Two bondsmen required at $250 each to guarantee the Race Course will be left in good repair at the end of the lease. Dr. Kendall refused to hand over the rock crushing plant “except under certain conditions” although his contract with the City had expired.
Street Railway Purchase By-law overturned – July 9, 1894
By-law proposals for both the street railway purchase and the $60,000 were defeated. All City work in progress which is not strictly within the original Estimates must be stopped as…
Columbia Avenue lowlands must be drained – July 16, 1894
The Medical Health Officer reported on the unsanitary condition of Dupont Street and urged the draining of the low lying lands south of Dupont Street and east and west of…
Alexandra Hospital needs better drainage – July 30, 1894
Council received a request for the chain gang to dig drains around the Alexandra Hospital (pictured). In light of a local epidemic of bovine tuberculosis, Dr. Thomas advised that all milk be scalded before using. Council also passed a new By-law to license and regulate milk vendors was adopted.
All Vancouver Fire Halls to Hear Every Fire Alarm – August 6, 1894
William McGirr given contract to re-roof the Grand Stand at the Jockey Club. The Hudson’s Bay Company asks for a “full” sidewalk in front of its new Water Street warehouse. The telephones of all fire halls to ring simultaneously when an alarm is given. Several complaints of improper drainage and the resulting “very offensive water” to be dealt with by the City Engineer - and the Chain Gang!
$100,000 for Vancouver Street Lighting? – August 13, 1894
Federal Government was “not inclined to bear any cost” in piling under First Narrows. Race track insurance was renewed for both the Grand Stand and the stables. The Union Steam…
Wilfred Laurier to Receive Official Welcome to Vancouver – August 20, 1894
A reception was arranged for Hon. Wilfred Laurier (not yet Prime Minister of Canada) who was due to visit Vancouver soon. Lomas and Sheridan’s tender of $65 was accepted for…
Iron & Steel bonus decision delayed – August 27, 1894
A detailed proposal to provide a bonus for a future iron and steel factory to settle in Vancouver was overturned, as no proposal had been received. Milk Vendors invited to meet with Health Committee.
Injunction Forbids Vancouver to Pay for Street Rails – September 10, 1894
E.L. Phillips served the City with an injunction against paying for street rails. Meanwhile the Finance Committee had proposed to use $2,500 allotted to legal expenses and $3,500 allotted to contagious diseases to pay for the street rails. Due to the injunction, that proposal was set aside. The Vancouver Trades and Labor Council alleged that D. McGillivray was working his men 10 hours a day in contravention of the contracted nine hours a day.
New City Assessor Appointed – September 24, 1894
E. Kingcombe was appointed City Assessor at $200 per month salary. Former Mayor M. A. MacLean paid $140 for revision of Voters’ Lists. A quarter plot in the cemetery granted to the late Charles MacAulay free of charge. Water connection granted to the Union Steam Ship Company wharf, with the understanding that any damage be repaired by the Company.
“Fire Escape Act” mandatory for all new buildings – October 1, 1894
The Board of Works reviewed an application from the Bailey Brothers for a brick extension at the rear of their store (pictured here). The Fire Inspector to notify architects and building permit applicants that all new buildings must conform to the “Fire Escape Act 1894” passed at the last session of the [British Columbia] Legislature. Mayor R. A. Anderson appointed Aldermen Salsbury, McDowell, McCraney, Franklin and C.L. Brown to draft necessary changes to the Vancouver Charter.
$100,000 raised for Electric Light – October 4, 1894
Electric lighting by-law passed with a majority; five Aldermen appointed to search out best price for lighting. K. Silverman claimed damages against the City for injuries received on Cordova Street.
Electric Lighting By-Law to Go Ahead – October 8, 1894
The By-Law $100,000 for electric lighting purposes was signed, sealed and gazetted, in spite of opposition from Davis, Marshall & MacNeill . Aldermen Bethune, Franklin, C.L. Brown, McPhaiden & McCraney …
Sumas-Vancouver Railway Report Filed, But Not Adopted – October 15, 1894
The Special Committee tasked to investigate delay in building the Sumas-Vancouver Railway gave its report. Though the Committee recommended its adoption; however Council agreed only to file the report. Vancouver…
Granville Street to be Paved Between Hastings & Cordova – October 22, 1894
A By-law was drafted to pave Granville Street between Hastings Street and Cordova Street for $4,000. The position of Street Inspector was eliminated. The Fire & Light Committee held off…
Robson Street railway permission repealed – November 19, 1894
Permission given in 1893 for the Street Railway company to lay tracks on Robson Street was repealed*. Council was invited to attend the opening ceremonies for St. Paul’s Hospital. A…
Lands for CPR, Street Railway Identified – November 26, 1894
Alderman Franklin granted leave of absence to the end of the year. Boundaries of the land given to the CPR to serve the sugar refinery were adjusted somewhat. Ends of certain lots required by the Street Railway Company were authorized to be sold for $900. The Water Committee to identify the lands it needs for the Dam, and the city will begin expropriating those lands.