Sponsorship for the 1895 Vancouver City Council minutes is still available.
The transcriptions were made by volunteers Anonymous, Cathy Harmer, Darrin Pezer/Proactive Building Maintenance, Gerald Soon, Hal Bell-Irving, Joanne McCormick, Rachel Amanda Hennessy, Susan Willows, YVR Mike & Janny P.
Click on any headline to see the full transcript of that meeting.

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…
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…
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…
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…
Vancouver to Borrow $150,000 – February 25, 1895
A By-Law to borrow $150,000 against the year’s anticipated income was given third reading. They Mayor and the Chairman of the Finance Committee were given authority to negotiate the loan.…
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…
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…
Vote on Sunday Closing Delayed – April 29, 1895
Among the letters urging support the Sunday Closing By-Law were Gordon Drysdale etal Merchants of the City and F. A. Edgett of the Royal Templars of Temperance. Yet only three…
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…
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…
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.
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…
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…
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…
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…
Consolidated Railway & Light’s Wires Must Come Down – September 3, 1895
The Consolidated Railway & Light Company must disconnect all electric wires attached to the water pipes; the City Electrician to report on any damage to the pipes. Vancouver to write…
William Ward Appointed Police Chief – September 4, 1895
Six City officers’ positions were merged into three, and thirty days’ notice was given to four officers . William Ward appointed Police Chief. This transcript was made in 2021 by…
“Not Legal” for Vancouverites to Trade Work for Taxes – October 14, 1895
Council “cannot grant requests” from J. Raney and H. H. Davis asking to be permitted to do certain work and allow the same to stand against their respective taxes: the…
Special Meeting – October 23, 1895
Special meeting to settle sale of City land to Arthur C. Henderson of Chilliwack and to limit the salary of the incoming Police Magistrate to $1,200 per year.
Sidewalk Labour Free: Materials Must Be Found – October 28 1895
Several requests for wooden sidewalks were granted on the basis that if the requesting party will furnish the lumber the Ward men will be instructed to lay it down. A…
City Solicitor Hamersley Resigns – November 4, 1895
The Fire, Market & Police Committee recommended that the City terminate Mr. Beattie’s lease of the City Market. There were varying accounts as to how much City Solicitor Hamersley represented…
Special Meeting To Settle Market Lease – November 8, 1895
The City Council formed an offer to terminate the Market Lease with Mr. Beattie. This transcript was made in 2021 by Transcribimus volunteer Gerald Soon. Original handwritten minutes: COV S31…
Second Meeting on Market Lease Yields No Results – November 8, 1895 5:00 p.m.
This transcript was made in 2021 by Transcribimus volunteer Gerald Soon. Original handwritten minutes: City of Vancouver Archives Series S31 Volume 6 page 831 only To see or download the…
Discussion Continues on Lighting Contract – November 19, 1895 7:30 pm
This transcript was made in 2021 by Transcribimus volunteer Gerald Soon. Original handwritten minutes: City of Vancouver ArchivesSeries 31 Volume 6 page 847 only To see or download a picture…
City Lighting Contract Still Under Consideration – November 22, 1895
A special meeting was held November 22 at 10 am to consider the Western Electric Heat & Power proposal for lighting the City of Vancouver. This document was transcribed in…
November 27, 1895 – Meeting Postponed Till Next Day
This transcript was made in 2021 by Transcribimus Volunteer Gerald Soon Original handwritten minutes: City of Vancouver ArchivesSeries 31 Volume 6 page 865 only To see or download photo of…
Mayor Authorized to Sign Light Bill – November 28, 1895
Council empowered the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the ten year contract with the Western Electric Light Heat and Power Company Ltd Liability – except Alderman Shaw, who “voted…
Council Passes Lands to Vancouver Improvement Co., C.P.R. – December 2, 1895
The council passes By-laws authorizing the sale and conveyance of certain lands to the Vancouver Improvement Co., and the Canadian Pacific Railway, and then to fix the time for taking…
Foreshore Rights Committee Struck – December 3, 1895
Aldermen Shaw, Gallagher, Clandenning, Brown, and McDonald along with the City Solicitor and City Engineer were appointed to look into the question of Foreshore rights.
J. G. Jonah Appointed Fire Dept Engineer – December 16, 1895
After a deciding vote cast by the Mayor, J. G. Jonah was appointed Engineer for the Fire Department. Responding to a request that St. Paul’s hospital be exempt from taxation,…
Archie Robinson Appointed Market Clerk – December 30, 1895
The By-Law to borrow $30,000 to cover unpaid taxes was reconsidered.
Special Meeting Wraps Up 1895 – December 31, 1895
William Murphy was paid $20.00 on account of Police Supplies. The meeting was adjourned until January 2, 1896.