Armstrong & Morrison’s Steel Pipe Approved – January 4, 1897
The Mayor and City Clerk were empowered to sign a contract with Armstrong & Morrison for riveted steel pipe. The Chain Gang was directed to to clear the brush off…
Vancouver Wants Industrial Railway to the Coast – January 25 1897
Council sent a long resolution to the Dominion (federal) government about a planned industrial railway through Lethbridge and the Crow’s Nest pass; that it be extended to the coast using…
Proposed By-Law to Raise $70,000 for Schools – February 1, 1897
A By-Law to raise $70,000 for Schools received second reading. Appointed as the 1897 Free Library Board were Wm. Brown, G.W. Hobson, R.B. Ellis, W.D. Brydone-Jack, Wm Prentice, W.A. Wilson…
Fish Peddling, the Corpse, and the Pound Keeper – February 8, 1897
Vancouver’s solicitor, A. St. George Hamersley, gave his opinions that a) The City could not impose a license on fish peddlers unless it could be proved the fish were caught…
Tidal Flats to be Filled In? – February 22, 1897
Aldermen McQueen and Brown propose that as the 200 acres of tidal flats east of the Westminster Bridge (today’s Main Street) are “a nuisance to the public” and “of no…
No Bicycle Roads To Be Built – March 15, 1897
City Solicitor A. St. George Hamersley gave as his opinion that that “the Council could not reserve a part of the Street for Bicycle riders nor impose a compulsory tax…
Estimates Granted – March 30, 1897
$6,000 was budgeted for renovations to the new City Hall premises at the Market building, $1,500 for the Mayor, $3,000 for the Aldermen. This transcript was made in 2022 by…
Electric Poles on Barnard Street Must Be Moved Aside – April 5, 1897
The Vancouver Electric Railway and Light Company (shown here) will be notified to move the poles out on Barnard Street to the required distance where the new walk is to…
April 2, 1897 – Vancouver Budget Finalized
Total budget for 1897 was $363,937. $36 was set aside for Bear Pits under the Parks budget. This photo from 1898 shows a bear in a tree in the bear…
Bicycle Parking Granted for Trial Period – April 26, 1897
Local merchants Scott & Devlin asked permission to erect a small moveable stand for putting away bicycles at edge of curb opposite 303 Hastings Street. Permission granted as an experiment…
New Streetcar Route for Robson, Denman, Georgia – May 25, 1897
An agreement for street railway on Pender, Georgia and Denman was reviewed (photo shows streetcar on Robson Street). James Armstrong refused permission to graze cows on Fairview. A new Heath…
Pender Street to be Widened at Burrard – May 31 1897
A new bylaw was introduced to widen Pender Street at Burrard Street. Sam Brighouse’s property at Pender and Burrard was bought for $1,000. Photo shows southeast corner of Pender and…
Ward 1 By-election Set – July 26, 1897
Council established a by-election for Ward 1 to fill Alderman Shaw’s vacated seat. Shown above is St. Luke’s home, where Council agreed to fund Mrs. Crook for $5.00 per week…
Swing Span for Granville Street Bridge considered- September 13, 1897
The Board of Works held a special meeting with local experts to discuss the question of the proposed new swing span for the Granville Street bridge. Motions were passed to…
Water Street in “Disgraceful Condition” – September 20, 1897
C. H. Wright called Council’s attention to the “disgraceful condition” of Water Street from Abbott to Carroll Streets. Photo is of Water Street, taken in 1897. Ex Mayor Henry Collins…
Tremont Hotel Verandah to be Removed – September 27, 1897
The Rand Brothers wrote to Council telling them the matter of removing the old verandah from Tremont Hotel {pictured above} on Carrall Street will be attended to. A $15 per…
Ex-Mayor Fred Cope Dead – October 4, 1897
City Council regrets the untimely death of Ex-Mayor Fred Cope (Mr. Cope’s house shown above). The City Crematory was authorized to burn a quantity of damaged fruit. The Fire &…
Council Excludes Street Light Near Catholic Church – October 11, 1897
There was controversy about accepting the Light Railway and Tramway Committee’s report; it was only adopted after striking out the clause recommending the placing of a street light on Richards…
Special Meeting to Review Smelter Proposals – October 12, 1897
Two smelter proposals were reviewed: Mr. Harry Symons’ proposal was chosen to go forward. This transcript was made in 2021 by Transcribimus volunteer Joanne McCormick Original handwritten minutes City of…
Typhoid Fever in Mount Pleasant – October 25 1897
Dr. W D Brydone-Jack reported on cases of typhoid fever in Mount Pleasant but declined in future to notify the Health Officer of the existence of infectious diseases unless he…
Pender Street in Unsafe Condition – November 8, 1897
J. J. Sparrow complained of the disgraceful condition of of Pender Street (pictured) in front of his stables. Rent for the market hall fixed $20 for dances, $15 for concerts,…
City Council Spends $2,000 on Klondike Advertising – November 15, 1897
Council decided to spend $2,000 “for the purpose of advertising the advantages of Vancouver as an outfitting point for the gold fields of the Klondike”. Frank Baynes be appointed Police…
MacKinnon Block Roof to be Altered – November 19, 1897
This transcript was made in 2021 by Transcribimus volunteer Joanne McCormick Illustration: CVA M-3-9.7 MacKinnon Block & Masonic Hall – Hastings & Granville 1898 Original handwritten minutes here: City of…
Linton’s Cabins Rebuilt – November 22, 1897
The Health Inspector reported Mr. Linton has rebuilt cabins in place of those torn down. Photo shows Mr. Linton’s yachts near the City Wharf. The finance committee authorized the $2.00…
C.P.R. Asks for Tax Exemption – Vancouver November 24, 1897
This transcript was made in 2021 by Transcribimus volunteer Joanne McCormick. Illustration: City of vancouver Archives CVA 2008-010.4143CPR Dock at foot of Howe St. c 1896 Original handwritten minutes: City…
C.P.R. continues to press for tax exemption – November 29, 1897
McClary Manufacturing Company sent in plans for a new warehouse at 303 Cordova St. (pictured, still standing). City Lawyer gave the opinion that Council “had no power” to exempt C.P.R.…
CPR Properties to be Exempted from Taxes for 20 Years – December 3, 1897
Council agreed to draft a By-law for the CPR to be exempted from City taxes for twenty years, in exchange for the CPR making certain improvements.
Local Council of Women Request the Appointment of a Police Matron – December 6, 1897
Council refused J.I. Seymour Wells’ request for a refund of his auctioneer’s license on the grounds that they had no power to make refunds. Miss J. Brown was paid $6.35…
Streetcar Will Run to New City Hall – December 13, 1897
Council asked BC Electric Co to extend their Pender Street Car Service to the new City Hall on Westminster Avenue. The Water and Market Committee approved payment to Robertson &…
Westminster Avenue Laundry Under Investigation – December 20, 1897
The Health Committee got a letter from G. W. Thomas complaining about a “nuisance” (odour) from a Chinese Laundry near his premise on Westminster Avenue. The Wah Chong Family Laundry…
Year’s Accounts Wrapped Up – December 27, 1897
BCER offered to run a streetcar every twenty minutes if Council would allow them to run a car in charge of only one man. Proposed amendments to the Act of…