Sponsorship for the 1896 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.
Council met with Elliot + Cowan representing Western Heat + Power co., with an electrician from New Westminster, and with the City Solicitor.
Once again, no amendments were made to the Electric Light agreement.
City Solicitor Hamersley was ordered to return all commissions he made on city investments during 1893, 94 and 95. Policemen authorized to enter any room in any Fire Hall at any time. “As the City does not furnish free medical attendance on firemen”, Dr. Thomas’ bill of $5.00 for treatment…
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Council heard the final report of the Water and Light Committee and read the C. P. R. Conveyance bylaw for the third time.
Mayor: Henry Collins Aldermen: H. J. Painter (Ward 1) H. P. Shaw (Ward 1) J. J. Banfield (Ward 2) N. C. Schon (Ward 2) James Clandenning (Ward 3) D. McPhaiden (Ward 3) William Brown (Ward 4) W. S. Macdonald (Ward 4) Alexander Bethune (Ward 5) C. A. Coldwell (Ward 5)…
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Pictured is Mayor Henry Collins, Mayor of Vancouver 1895-1896. First meeting of Council for 1896 — membership for the Board of Works, the Finance, Health, Fire & Police, Water & Market, and the Light Railways & Tramways Committee were established. Applications invited for the position of City Solicitor.
The Board of Works recommended that plans for the new Oriental Hotel on Cambie Street be approved. The new hotel never materialized, but pictured above is the “old” or “original” Oriental Hotel at 308 Water Street. Appointed to the Library Board for 1896 were J.M. Duval, Ald. Wm Brown, Geo.…
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A motion was planned to select in Stanley Park a site suitable for recreation grounds and have it surveyed and an approximate estimate of the cost of clearing and putting it in proper condition. Pictured above is Brockton Oval in 1896.Most of the evening was spent reviewing the proposed by-law…
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The Fire and Police Committee resolved that John H. Grady be appointed in response to the Chief of Police’s letter saying that an extra officer was needed. Alderman Brown, Bethune, Clandenning and McDonald objected to the Committee specifically naming Grady, and thought any new officer should be appointed in the…
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The Consolidated Railway and Light Company had applied to the BC Legislature “to give said Company power to enter upon and expropriate lands and to open and break up the soil and pavement of theupon” even within BC towns and cities. Council empowered the Finance Committee and City Clerk to…
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All petitions for street improvements were put off until the preparation of the Estimates. Alex MacDonald resigned as Cemetery keeper, while Miss Logan, the housekeeper at the City Hospital was given a raise of $5 per month. The Health Committee wrote to the BC Government for funds for a women’s…
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Mr. Angus MacDonald was appointed an electrical inspector (see illustration ). G. W. Thomas was appointed Cemetery Caretaker at the same salary as the previous caretaker. Delegation to attend the Private Bills Committee in Victoria with representatives from Richmond, Burnaby and South Vancouver to oppose the passage of the proposed…
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Council received several requests both for and against opening stores on Sunday. Aldermen Brown and Banfield suggest a detailed map of Stanley Park be made, so future improvements can prioritized.
A by-law was introduced to sell properties on which the taxes are two years in arrears. Council replied to a letter from New Westminster City Council saying Vancouver supported a bridge across the Fraser River, provided it was to be a passenger as well as a railway bridge. The manager…
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The Consolidated Railway and Lighting Company at 163 Cordova Street (head office pictured here in 1896) submitted a proposal for lighting the City of Vancouver. A six foot sidewalk approved for Quebec Street from 6th Avenue to Front Street (now First Avenue). The Provincial Government advised Council that it would…
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The controversial Sunday Closing By-law was defeated in Council, but progress was reported on the Fire Limits and Plumbing Inspection by-laws, as well as the by-law to partly exempt tax on building improvements. This transcript was made in 2021 by Transcribimus volunteer Darrin Pezer /Proactive Building Maintenance Illustration: City of…
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Council appointed a committee to review Consolidated Railway and Light Co’s plan to develop ten acres in Stanley Park in exchange for being allowed to run tracks to the site. They also wrote to several British publications opposing the proposed British Pacific Railway. This transcript was made in 2021 by…
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This transcript was made in 2021 by Transcribimus volunteerDarrin Pezer / Proactive Building Maintenance The Sanitary Inspector reported on the condition of Mount Pleasant School (pictured here). The Health Committee reported the urgent necessity for a Women’s Ward. A Mrs. Smith was injured falling off a sidewalk at 10th and…
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Council contacted the Provincial Government asking that the Municipal Act be amended so that “authority may be given to Municipalities to make a grant in aid of the celebration of Dominion Day and such other public gatherings as may be from time to time considered in the interests of a…
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This transcript was made in 2021 by Transcribimus volunteer Gerald Soon Manuscript: City of Vancouver ArchivesCOV S 31 Volume page 123 onlyto see original handwritten minutes — click here [Volume 7 page] 123 Vancouver April 10th 1896. The Council met on Monday Friday April 10th 1896. Present – His Worship the…
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The City Engineer reported the bridge across False Creek was “in a dangerous state”. The Board of Works received permission to have the “old shack” near the entrance to [Stanley] Park torn down. Two By-Laws were drafted – to bonus a steamer between Chilliwack and Vancouver, and to convey to…
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This transcript was made in 2021 by Transcribimus volunteer Anonymous Original handwritten minutes: City of Vancouver ArchivesCOV S31 Volume 6 page 133 onlyto see photographs of the original handwritten minutes, click here [Volume 6 page] 133 The Council met on Friday April 17th 1896. Present His Worship the Mayor and full…
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A total budget of $362,138 for the year 1896 was approved by Council. Teachers’ salaries for the Central School totalled $6,485 for the year. If divided evenly among the eight teachers shown in this 1896 group studio portrait, each teacher would have received about $800 per year. Central School teachers…
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The By-Law to pay City Council was finalized after deleting a clause about potential fines to be deducted. Ashes were ordered to be hauled to Ward 5 to top the crushed rock surface of both Quebec Street and Westminster Ave. (now Main Street). Citizens requested both Birch and Ontario streets…
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The City Solicitor advised that Council “cannot refuse a laundry license to anyone has complied with all the requirements of the By Laws relating to the Laundries“. The Board of Works asked for tenders to build on Cordova Street a “single dressed walk north side from Abbott to Cambie”, pictured…
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The ditches between Westminster Av (Main Street) and Scotia Street to be cleaned out before 5th Avenue was graded. J Ironside to repair the False Creek Bridge, S. Sheridan to repair the sidewalk on Georgia Street. Hospital matron Miss MacFie asked that all the mattresses be recovered, and complained that…
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Pictured are the Terminal City Bicycling Club, ca. 1896, left to right: (back row): William F. Finlay, Mr. McAlpine, Charles A. Ross, Mark Cusner; (middle row): Frank Little, George Haddon, Dan Martin; (front row): H. Jones and Richard Tossell. Council received a letter from one W. J. Anderson of Salt…
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The Water and Market Committee reported continuing problems finding a steamer to willing to deliver crops and animals to the City Market at the prices the Committee is willing to pay. The City Engineer was asked to look into the cost for adding separate accommodation for women prisoners at the…
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Council directed the Organizing Committee for the Dominion Day Celebration to report to them before Thursday as to whether the Celebration would include the regatta originally promised. Resolved that the R.C.P. Mills Co. be notified that unless they put up a fence, as agreed, round the pond where the boy…
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A recommendation from the Police Committee that ex Chief McLean receive his regular salary for the period he was under investigation was challenged by two Aldermen but was eventually supported. The Police committee also approved $150 for jail facilities for female prisoners. This transcript was made in 2021 by Transcribimus…
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City Council granted an additional $1,000 toward the Dominion Day regatta and sports carnival, restoring the total grant amount to the original $5,000. This document was transcribed in 2021 by Transcribimus volunteer Gerald Soon Illustration: COV Archives Item Bo P109.1Dominion Day yacht regatta in Coal Harbour(British warships in the background)…
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In talks with the Telephone + Telephone Company, Finance Committee allowed a value of $2,000 for the switchboard. In another matter, former Market manager Mr. Beattie owed the City $873.95 in rent for the Market and the value of buildings built by Beattie was about the same, Council proposed an…
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Council sent a resolution to the federal Minister of Railways and Canals with a proposal to prevent future flooding along the Fraser Valley. Meanwhile the Police Committee was asked to see that horses and cattle not be allowed to roam on the grounds at Fairview School (Granville & 7th). This…
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A communication was read from Geo Bach by Secretary of the Carnival Committee stating that it was impossible to arrange a World’s champion sculling race between Messrs Grandau and Stanbury. Plans were made to have a week of sports and regatta instead. Council received a letter from Robert Barker complaining…
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The Board of Works initially agreed to a proposal from Tait & Sons that they furnish lumber to the City as partial payment of their water rates, but this agreements was overturned by Council. Mr. C. W. Robson and a few neighbours requested water service to Denman Street, but the…
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William Cowderoy and H. M. Henderson were both promoted in the City Accountants’ office upon the resignation of C. M. Tetley. William Ralph retained the contract for the Market roof, in spite of objections in favour of Mr. Desrosier. Council ‘did not see its way clear” to offer the sum…
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The City Engineer was asked to supervise the repair of doorways to several buildings which had been affected by the recent grading of Granville Street. Alderman McPhaiden proposed a bylaw that if the owners of derelict properties do not repair them within a certain time, that the City “shall destroy…
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Several Temperance and church organizations protested against a license being granted to sell liquor at Brockton Point in Stanley Park during the Carnival Week. The City Solicitor said they had no power to prevent it. The Jockey Club requested that they not pay 10 per cent of their takings during…
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City Council passed a motion of support to be sent to both the Dominion and Provincial Parliaments in favour of building a railway to “the great mining districts of Similkeem, Rock Creek, Battle River, Boundary Creek and Kootenay.” Two more motions asked the Dominion (federal) Parliament to hire a “competent…
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Water Works Department directed to cut off water to customers who are behind six months in payment, but sprinkling to be done as needed during Carnival. Licensed hack men asked Council to prevent outside hack men working during Carnival. This document was transcribed in 2022 by Transcribimus volunteer Gerald Soon.…
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The Sun Life Assurance Company asked for a water rebate for Vermilyea Blocks Granville St. {869 and 927 Granville, pictured here}. They didn’t get the rebate. The Chief of Police was asked to investigate after Alex C. Webster complained of a case of “light bread” (the city standard was 1.5…
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Location of the “Nuisance Shacks” are shown in red here in this illustration. Mr. J.D. Langlois complained that the police had “miscounted” the effects of Mr. Atcheson, whose heirs had received only $30 of the $35 they should have done. Miss Macfie reported she was “annoyed by chickens at the…
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Matthew Rae (pictured) was appointed pound keeper at a salary of $50 per month. The Oppenheimer Brothers asked that their cabins not be torn down, as they were making them sanitarity as quickly as possible. The Foreman for Ward Two was instructed to put in a crossing and a hitching…
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Thursday October 8 was proclaimed a public holiday so Vancouverites could visit the Exhibition in New Westminster. A number of condemned buildings on Dupont Street were ordered torn down.
The City Solicitor advised that the fare from one part of Vancouver to another should not exceed five cents. The Health Department paid Mrs. Frizzel $4.50 for making shirts, while Dr. Poole received $10 for a post-mortem examination. The Police Committee empowered to select an interim Police Chief until a…
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Four prisoners escaped from the city lock up, which was said to be “most insecure, badly constructed”. Prisoners apparently used a saw to cut their way out during “boisterous” Salvation Army services when the noise would not be noticed. Two or three “paupers” boarding at the jail (!) were blamed…
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John Devine appointed as City Assessor Much work was done on By-Laws regardings Cows, The Poun, Fire Limits and Polling. Mr McLusky ordered to pull down his present structure within 24 hours, and his application to build a lunch counter at Hastings and Carroll was referred to the City Solicitor…
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J. M. Stewart was appointed Chief of Police at a salary of $100 per month. Illustration is Stewart taken in 1911. This transcript was made in 2022 by Transcribimus volunteer Leah Minuk Original handwritten minutes: City of Vancouver ArchivesSeries 31 Volume 7 pages 335-360 To see or download images of…
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The City Engineer was asked to survey the Market Hall with a view of having same fitted up for Council Chambers and Civic Offices . The Health Committee recommended that anyone found selling “filthy” or diluted milk be prosecuted.
City Council will at once enforce the Brush By-Law by doing the work itself where necessary, and charge the same to taxes on the property. Northern Pacific Railway advised Council that it would not be adopting the former Burrard Inlet and Fraser Valley contract with the City of Vancouver. This…
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The Police and Fire Department to go and see a team of horses Mr. Stuart offered for sale to the Fire Department. John McAllister appointed Special Constable at $60. per month. Letter read from Mr. Thos M. Tyson etal questioning the right of the Mayor and Alderman Shaw to their…
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John McAllister and Keeler Fulton were appointed as policemen at $60 per month each. Six locations in Mount Pleasant were designated for sidewalks. From teamsters Champion & White, stating that since Cassady’s Mill had closed down, they had to haul the sawdust for Crematory use from the Royal City Mills…
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The City Engineer was asked to find an additional 30 – 40 acres for cemetery use. Plans showing potential Civic Offices in the Market Building were received, but laid over for the next Council to decide upon. A By-Law was formed to enable an upcoming Civic Election.