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.
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 (Ward 3) William Brown (Ward 4) G. W. Thomas –…
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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 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 was passed; that the non payment of taxes shall not…
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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.
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.
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.
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,…
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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 destitute circumstances. Council granted $5.00 a week to the St.…
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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 right of way for the pipe line through the Indian…
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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. Meanwhile, the week’s Relief Pay Roll of $162.85 and a $140.00 sanitary grate for the hospital were authorized to be…
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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.
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…
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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 to appoint a Trustee, and the Street Railway was discussed.…
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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 was made in 2020 by Transcribimus volunteers Rachel Tsui City…
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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 of thirty nine dollars and ninety nine cents. Contractors notified…
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All instruments being used by the City Band were found in good condition. From now on, each Band member must sign in a register book at City Hall for the use of their instrument. Wages for Relief Workers totalled $630, divided among the five Wards. A By-Law to remunerate the…
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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…
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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 Street, a second track on Granville Street between Hastings and…
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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 more was laid over. H. Boardman and neighbours asked for…
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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”.
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 Street, Denman from Robson to Alberni, Alberni from Denman to…
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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 Alderman were willing to consider the by-law that evening: Coupland, Gallagher & Bethune. The others (Shaw, Queen, McCraney, Mc Phaiden,…
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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 $3,600 for the Free Library Board. [Picture shows entrance door…
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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 Band’s instruments reported they were in good condition “taking into…
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Mr. C. M. Beecher wrote to Council regarding the poor condition of Dunlevy Avenue leading to Hastings Mill (pictured above). S.H. Boardman etal asking for a small culvert across the ravine at 6th Av Fairview west of Cedar Street W. K. Mason’s dairy to supply milk to the City at…
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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…
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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…
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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 same receives the approval of the Finance Committee.” Firemen W.…
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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 Johnson & Kerfoot sign]. The Chief of Police was instructed…
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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…
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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'…
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Illustration shows the North Shore Mountains from Prospect Point, 1895. A quorum not being present at this meeting, no business was transacted.
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 were to clear them out from the same. Houses shown…
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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 the recommendation that, “the Council do open up a trail…
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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 turned down the School Board’s request for an additional $1000…
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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 the Race Track for ten per cent of their admission…
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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 maintenanceIllustration: City of Vancouver Archivesreference number Original handwritten minutes: City…
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The Vancouver & District Labour Council asked for better safety for swimmers at English Bay. They asked Council to buy two life buoys, a (life-saving) a hook and a “man to attend to the hook”, and that rocks and debris be cleared away. Council authorized purchase of the life buoys,…
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The Plumbing Inspector reported there was “no foundation” for E. Nicoll’s injury claim due to falling into a ditch on Pender Street. The City Engineer to deliver details on each payment made during the construction of the reservoir and the details of the Robson Street streetcar agreement. September 2 1895…
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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. WHEREAS it is deemed advisable in the interests of the…
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Street cars south of Robson Street on Granville Street to run every twenty minutes (increased from every thirty minutes). Hospital patient Charles Freund, who was being pressed for his hospital account, stated that he would pay at the end of he fishing season. This transcript was made in 2021 by…
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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 to North Vancouver Council about their previous agreement to build a road up from the Narrows to the dam. Council…
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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 Transcribimus volunteers Hal Bell-Irving original handwritten minutes: City of Vancouver ArchivesSeries 23-A Volume 3 pages 626-628 To see or download handwritten…
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The C. P. R. deeded the triangle of land known as “Pioneer Place” at Hastings and Carrall to the City. Council passed a motion to enter into an exclusive contract with the Western Electric Light, Heating and Power Company Limited Liability to supply electric lights for the City. This transcript…
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Consolidated Railway & Light offered $250 to address the damage done to Robson Street, provided the city released the company from any further liability. A motion to defer the decision one week resulted in five Aldermen voting in favour, five against. The final tie-breaking vote was cast by Mayor Henry…
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The Board of Works was instructed to put down a six foot sidewalk from 8th to 9th Ave on South Granville Street. $15.00 was also set aside for the purpose of covering the coarse rock at the south end of Granville Street with ashes from Hotel Vancouver. Salaries for the…
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Council, concerned by press accounts that some individual or entity had asked for Deadman’s Island, wrote to the Provincial Government to ask, “that the Island should be placed under the care of the corporation of Vancouver for the benefit of its citizens in connection with Stanley Park.” This transcript was…
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Thursday Oct 10, 1895 was declared a public holiday to allow the citizens to visit the Agricultural Fair at New Westminster. Two police officers to be reprimanded: Officer MacLean for not reporting an infraction of the Sunday Closing By-Law; Officer North for allowing a prisoner to escape from his custody.…
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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 City Solicitor had given his opinion that this would not be legal. The City Auditor to give the new Tax…
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The City Engineer reported that the Verandahs around the old hospital (pictured here) were rotted away in many places. Retailers McLennan & Mc Feely submitted a claim for $10.00 for a stove rented to the City for election purposes and which was damaged in transit. Milk Inspector James McGeer asked…
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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.
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 request to name the lanes behind houses was turned down in favour of the current system of house numbering. Council…
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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 the City’s best interests in dealing with the Market lease issue over the past several months. Mr. Hamersley resigned as…
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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 Volume 6 page 830 only To see or download images of the handwritten minutes of this Vancouver City Council minutes,…
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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 handwritten minutes for this date, click the button below: Nov 4 1895 | second meeting The Council met again at…
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The City Clerk was instructed to communicate with the Marine Department with a view of getting them to make necessary dredging in False Creek “as same is rapidly filling up”. A motion of support for the Chief of Police’s trying to suppress the opium dens was ruled out of order…
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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 of the handwritten page from this date, click the button below: Nov 19 1895 | 7:30 pm [Volume 6 page]…
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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 2021 by Transcribimus volunteer Gerald Soon. Original handwritten minutes: City of Vancouver Archives Series 31 Volume 6 page 848 only…
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“That Mr. A. M. Beattie not having paid the rent agreed…” the City terminated his lease of the Market, and authorized the City Solicitor to take steps to recover the missing rent. By-Laws were introduced to sell certain lands to the Vancouver Improvement Company, to convey a parcel of land…
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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 original handwritten minutes, click the button below: 1895-11-nov-27-vancouver-city-council-minutesNov 27 1895 [Volume 6 page] 865 Vancouver November 27th 1895 The Council…
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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 nay on account of no tenders having been called”. This transcript was made in 2021 by Transcribimus volunteer Gerald Soon.…
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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 a vote on the above bylaws. This transcript was made in 2021 by Transcribimus volunteer Gerald Soon Original handwritten minutes:…
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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.
Council established a weekly Market Day and hired a Market Clerk to supervise. The City Clerk to inform neighbouring communities and encourage farmers’ participation. The Police Committee recommended that all inquests or post-mortems must be done at the City Hall. The Coroner would have the authority to issue summons to…
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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, Council replied that they had no power to waive taxes.
A By-Law given third reading authorized Council to borrow $30,000 “pending the collection of the taxes that are overdue for the year 1895.” Council also recommended against the Province of B. C. granting foreshore rights to any of the private citizens who had applied for them.
The By-Law to borrow $30,000 to cover unpaid taxes was reconsidered.
William Murphy was paid $20.00 on account of Police Supplies. The meeting was adjourned until January 2, 1896.
