1895 Vancouver City Council Minutes

1895

Vancouver City Council 1895

Mayor: Henry Collins Aldermen: Joseph Coupland (Ward 1) H. P. Shaw (Ward 1) W. H. Gallagher (Ward 2) C. L. Queen (Ward 2) D. McPhaiden (Ward 3) H. R. McCraney – resigned (Ward 3) James Clandenning – elected in byelection

Incoming Council will have to provide relief – January 7, 1895

Vancouver City Council for 1894 recommends to incoming Council that a sum be set aside for the Salvation Army’s planned Food and Shelter Home. In the mean time, the number of men employed on the weekly [relief] payroll was to be reduced as soon as possible.

Council for 1894 Wraps Up Business – January 14, 1895 10:00 am

Council for 1894 wrapped up business and heard final reports. Retiring Mayor Anderson and Alderman McDowell empowered to “represent the City in the Legislature to press the passage of the Charter Amendments” One last minute amendment to the City Charter

New Council squabble over Board of Works seat – January 14, 1895 12:00 pm

view of squatter's shacks on the shore of Deadman's Island, 1898

The Standing Committees for Vancouver City Council 1895 were established, in spite of a dispute about whether Alderman McCraney or Alderman McPhaiden would sit on the Standing Committee on Works.

Churches unite to appeal for relief work – January 21, 1895

Vancouver City Council received a delegation of three clergymen who urged the necessity of providing relief work for the unemployed. A By-law to borrow $150,000 for operating costs received second reading.

Relief work rates settled – January 28, 1895

Vancouver City Council opposed Hon. Theo Davie’s proposed amendment to the Vancouver Charter. Davie’s amendment would have prevented Vancouver from building or developing City gas works, water works, electricity, railways, etc. unless they first purchased the assets of any company providing those services within the City of Vancouver.

$150,000 needed for Vancouver’s expenses this year – February 4, 1895

By-law to borrow $150,000 for this year’s expenses: loan to be repaid by Dec 31, 1895 from year's expected revenues. Tools and supplies needed for relief work in each ward will be purchased from a variety of different establishments. City Clerk to call for tenders for crushed rock, shovels, picks, etc, as well as for washing and for supply of bread.

Crazy George, Sullivan child to receive City aid – February 11, 1895

The CPR owed the City of Vancouver $661.14 for care of its patients. William Morseby (governor of the Provincial jail in New Westminster) paid $145 for keep of prisoners. The Health Committee empowered to aid Crazy George, who was in

Alderman Mc Craney’s resignation refused – February 18, 1895

Alderman McCraney was cleared of all wrongdoing in the recent awarding of the electric light contract. Weekly payroll for relief work in each ward was reviewed and approved. The City Engineer to meet with the Indian Agent to settle the

Streetcars coming to Granville, Hastings streets, but not to Robson – March 4, 1895

The Finance Committee was authorized to arrange with D. McGillivray in regard to laying streetcar rails on Hastings and Granville Streets. Meanwhile, the Council reminded the Street Railway company that their permission to build on Robson Street had been rescinded in November 1894.

City Band funding cut off – March 11, 1895

The City Band having given an inventory of its instruments, Alderman Coupland and Alderman McCraney to inspect each instrument, and give the band a final grant of $50. Jennie W. Smith given the laundry contract for the City Hospital. The City Engineer was instructed to have the sidewalk on the west side of Burrard Street between Georgia and Nelson Streets moved to correspond with the sidewalk on the east side.

Several City Departments amalgamated – March 12, 1895

G.F. Baldwin was put in charge of the Finance & Treasury Department, A. W. Scouller was put in charge of the Health & Plumbing Department, and .J. Brenton was appointed Poll Tax Collector and License Inspector. A By-Law was drafted

Baldwin, Scoullar get city appointments – March 15, 1895

G.F. Baldwin placed in charge of the Finance and Treasury department; A. W. Scoullar was appointed Health and Plumbing Inspector. The terms of the lease of Robson, Granville and Hastings Streets by the street railway company were drafted. This transcript

Cambie Grounds cleared for football team – March 18, 1895

Council granted The Vancouver Associated Football Team’s request that the chain gang rake off stones from the Cambie Street Recreation grounds. MacRae & Hall selected to build two wheels for the engine at Fire Hall No. 3 at a cost

More relief work granted – April 1, 1895

Thomas Dunn's store [pictured here] given the City hardware contract. Mr. Mason, a jeweller, was granted permission to put a watch sign on the sidewalk, on the condition that he might be asked to remove it in future.An additional $200 was granted to each of the five wards for relief work.

Sgt. Haywood’s name is cleared – April 8, 1895

Evidence regarding Sergeant Haywood’s use of City coal and electricity completely cleared him of any wrongdoing; he was reinstated and given an apology. Council rescinded the motion made on March 15th regarding the laying of a Street Railway on Robson

Aldermen vote themselves $300 annual salary – April 17, 1895

Council set themselves remuneration of $300 each per year. $25 was granted for the burial of John Johnston, and $100 for the burial of former mayor M. A. MacLean [monument pictured]. Meanwhile, Hospital matron McFie’s recommendation that nurses be paid

South Vancouver’s part of North Arm Road ‘nearly useless for traffic’ – April 22, 1895

Vancouver’s portion of North Arm Road (Fraser Street) was in good repair, but South Vancouver’s portion was ‘nearly useless for traffic’. Vancouver Council wrote to South Vancouver that they be “urgently requested to keep their portion of the road in good repair and in a properly passable state”.

Special Meeting considers terms for street railways – April 25, 1895

early Vancouver streetcar turning the corner at Carrall and Cordova streets

The object of the meeting was to consider the agreements for the leasing of the following streets for street railway purposes viz:- Hastings Street between Carrall and Cambie Streets, Granville Street from Cordova to Robson, Robson from Granville to Denman

Council Reviews City Budgets – May 2, 1895

Vancouver’s overall income for 1895 was expected to be 434,654.65. The largest expense items were $107,607.85 for Interest and the Sinking Fund (previous debt) and $48,564 for the School Board. The smallest items were $5,000 for the Parks Commissioners and

City Employees’ Salaries Cut – May 6, 1895

On motion from the Finance Committee, salaries of city employees were reduced. Streetcar tracks on Robson Street to be laid “to admit of there being two tracks if required”. David Evans, who was paid eight dollars to examine the City

Liquor, Gambling Fines Totals Demanded – May 20, 1895

The City Treasurer to submit totals for the past three years of fines collected from liquor and gambling infractions. Phone rent for each of the four Fire Halls was reduced from $12 to $9.50 per month each. William Murphy selected to supply police helmets and batons to the Police Department within six weeks. All tenders for police and firemen's uniforms referred back to the Committee.

Half Holiday June 3 for Grand Lodge’s Visit – May 27, 1895

Monday June 3 1895 was declared a Vancouver half holiday in honour of the visit of the Grand Lodge of the Knights of Pythias. The Chief of Police supplied his customary report on Vancouver’s electric lights, which must have been unsatisfactory, as Council upheld the Fire Water and Light Committee’s recommendation that the City not continue its lighting arrangement with the Consolidated Railway & Light Company.

Two New Firemen Needed – June 3, 1895

A team of two men was retained for each of Vancouver’s five Wards, “who will be expected to look after all repairs, ditching, etc” for their own Ward. No work allowed to be done on any City contract “until the

Bars and Saloons Must Close Over Sundays – June 10, 1895

The Liquor License By-Law was completed; any infractions must be prosecuted within seven days. Jeweller Geo E. Trorey asked permission to erect a watch sign in front of his store on Cordova Street [pictured here to the left of large

Opium Tax to be reduced? – June 17, 1895

Merchants Hip Tuck Lung etal asked that the Opium License be lowered. Street sweeping contractors Champion and White did not feel able to continue at the old price, but will continue while tenders for a new contract are examined. Teachers’ salaries to be paid on June 28, rather than waiting until after the July 1 holiday. John Courtney, Andrew Gill, and Chas Thompson were hired as firemen, making $45 per month each.

Morley, Butler Get Sunbury Reward – June 24, 1895

The $500 reward for information about the Sunbury murder from 1890 [ad pictured here] was given to George Morley and Mr. Butler. The Federal government advised they had contributed $1000 toward the keep of the Darcy Island lepers. The proper proportion would be allocated to Vancouver's share of the lepers' maintenance. Water pipes will be installed to the English Bay bathing sheds.

Council Meeting Cancelled Due to Lack of Quorum – July 2, 1895

Illustration shows the North Shore Mountains from Prospect Point, 1895. A quorum not being present at this meeting, no business was transacted.

All Police To Stay In Office For Now – July 8, 1895

Aldermen Coupland and Gallagher moved that four policemen be dismissed; the Mayor ruled that motion out of order. The Mayor’s decision was upheld four to five. All homeowners were advised to remove “noxious weeds” on their properties and Ward Foremen

By-Election Set For August 2 – July 18, 1895

Stanley Park entrance at Georgia St., 1895

Aldermen H. R. McCraney (Ward 3), G. W. Thomas (Ward 4) and W. P. Brown (Ward 5) had resigned, so the by-election in those wards was set for August 2. The July 11 Board of Works report was adopted, including

No Additional Money for School Board – July 22, 1895

The Texas Lake Ice Co. [pictured] asked that the City water main be sapped to supply water to their offices and warehouse. The Finance Committee approved payment of $10 to Chief Capilano for pasturage related to the Water Works, but

No Final Word on Police Dismissals – July 29, 1895

Alderman Brown of the Police Committee wanted to dismiss Chief McLaren, Sergeant Haywood, and Officer McLeod. Alderman McPhaiden wanted them reinstated. The matter was laid over to next week’s Council meeting. Mr. T. O. Allen and company granted use of

Clandenning, Sanders and McDonald Take Their Places on Council; McLaren, Haywood and McLeod Dismissed from Police Force – August 5, 1895

Newly-elected Aldermen appointed to the Committees on which the members who resigned occupied positions. S. Astell was refused a laundry license, and his application fee was returned. This transcript was made in 2020 by Transcribimus volunteerDarrin Pezer / Proactive Building

By-law No. 233 altering the subdivision of Wards – August 19, 1895

This document was transcribed in June of 2018 by Transcribimus volunteer Susan Willows. original handwritten by-law here 1292 BY-LAW NO. 233 A By-law to amend By-law No. 118, known as a By-Law altering the subdivisions of the City into Wards.