Sponsorship for the 1898 Vancouver City Council minutes is still available.
Transcription is still in progress. To date, transcripts have been made by volunteers Joanne McCormick, Leah Minuk, Lynn Shane, Darlene Ochotta, Sandra Robinson, Gerald Soon, Marie-Claude Tremblay, and Carole Wilson
Click on any headline to see the full transcript of that meeting.
Council for 1897 Wrap Up Business – January 10, 1898
This ship is the HMS Imperieuse from the Fire and Police Committee Report. Officer Butler arrested two runaway sailors from Imperieuse but had to turn in the reward money to the Department. Continue Reading
Council of 1897 Vote Condolences to Templeton Family – January 17, 1898 10:00 am
Shown above is the Templeton home at 1213 Barclay Street. Former Mayor William Templeton had died the previous day, Sunday January 16, 1898. Continue Reading
Council for 1897 Stand Adjourned – January 17, 1898 12:00 pm
Council for 1898 stood adjourned until the following day (Tuesday January 18 1898) to mark the passing away of former Mayor Templeton. Photo shows incoming Mayor James Ford Garden. Continue Reading
Committees formed for 1898 – January 20, 1898
Allan K. Stuart was allowed $10.00 by the Finance Committee for overtime spent in preparing the Klondike Map. Photo shows supplies headed to the Klondike. Continue Reading
Committees Begin the Work of 1898 – January 24, 1898
Committees reported back re Chairman elected and meeting dates established. Finance Committee had decided on suppliers to the City for Wood, Sawdust, Bread, Milk, Meat, Feed and Washing. Continue Reading
Will Licensed Music Halls Be Allowed? – February 14, 1898
In this 1888 illustration with the Vancouver Volunteer Fire Department, William McGirr and son are pictured within. McGirr, a pioneer in Vancouver later took up as a tobacconist at the Sunnyside Hotel, Gastown. McGirr, a night watchman at the time of these minutes, had his allowance increased to $20.00 by the Police and Fire Committee. Meanwhile, a vote was established on whether to license beer and light wine in Music Halls. Continue Reading
Jail Expansion Approved, Music Hall Vote Looming – February 21, 1898
Communication received "from the Jews of the city" asking that no permit be issued for interments in the Jewish Cemetery [shown above, ca. 1910] without their written consent. Continue Reading
Colonel Warren Asks for Repairs – March 7, 1898
From Col. F. Warren (picture featured above, biography at end of this page), asking that a pane of glass broken by the Wardmen at his house be repaired, and referring to dangerous condition of part of sidewalk on south side of Robson Street. Continue Reading
Vancouver Supports Letter Carriers’ Demand for $2 per Day – March 14, 1898
Council "endorses the petition of the Carriers to the Government for an increase of pay and also an annual holiday of two weeks without suspension of salary". Council also put an order to McClary Co. for 1,000 enamelled street signs, white with blue lettering, 4.5 inches wide, at 40 cents each. Continue Reading
By-Law Introduced for Wood Block Paving – March 21, 1898
The streets marked in blue above show where wood block paving was installed. The City Engineer certified that the probable life of the wood block paving would be 12 years and the grading and curbing 40 years. Continue Reading
Fifty Applications Received for Two Firefighter Positions – March 28, 1898
Fifty applications were received for the position of fireman. John McMorran and J.E. Michell were hired at $45.00 per month each. As "the ends of Justice often are defeated" by having no local Crown Prosecutor, Council will ask the BC Attorney General to appoint one. Continue Reading
Vancouver’s Budget for 1898 Established at $404,344.95 – April 1, 1898
Vancouver's expected income of 1898 was $404,344.95. The Police Committee was granted $24,558.16, the Fire Department $21,923, the Health Committee $24,321, the School Board $56,380 and the Board of Works $74,450. Continue Reading
Council Has Questions for the C. P. R. – April 12, 1898
Council wanted to know how much of the construction materials for the new CPR Terminal would be spent outside British Columbia. The soap factory above was on Georgia Street (at that time called Harris Street), a few blocks from the "unsanitary premises" mentioned in the Board of Health report [421 Harris Street]. Continue Reading
City Bathing Sheds Come Down May 1 – April 25, 1898
City Bathing Sheds caretaker Frank Morgan Caretaker was advised to remove his own building and appurtenances as soon as possible as the City cannot give him any extension after the 1st of May 1898. Photo inscription reads, "In order: English Bay Club | Simpson's Boat house | Denman St. | Bath houses, First pavilion | chute | campers in tents | Indian Reserve" Continue Reading
Police Committee to Investigate Police Court Business – May 2, 1898
The Chief of Police was instructed to make a full report as to all grievances if any referring to Police Court matters. Photo shows typical Vancouver board sidewalk on 7th or 8th Ave. The Board of Works would "examine on 7th Avenue on the first block west of Bridge Street (now Cambie St.) on the north side" to see if such a sidewalk was needed. Continue Reading
Police Magistrate Should Not Be In Active Practice – May 9, 1898
"The Committee is still of the opinion that it would be advisable that the office of Police Magistrate should not be held by any Solicitor in active practice and that the Small Debts Court should be held by the Police Magistrate solely and that the fees be paid to the City Treasury and that an adequate salary be granted to the Police Magistrate and that a copy of the above resolution be forwarded to the Hon., the Attorney General." Council also approved the Health Committee's decision that the Cemetery Caretaker be authorized to employ extra help to clear walks in Cemetery grounds and that tenders be called for fencing required there. Photo shows the cemetery with a water tower in the far left background, 189-. Continue Reading
Will Council Fund World’s Champion Rowing Race? – May 13, 1898
Council received many requests to fund the World’s Champion rowing race between Jake Gaudaur and R.N. Johnston. Photo shows the Rowing Club at the foot of Thurlow Street. The Smelter By-Law was reported complete. Continue Reading
Street Watering By-Law Passed – May 16, 1898
Several streets were approved right away for watering: Westminster Av., Cordova St., and Granville St. The City Engineer was asked to look in to watering the cemetery grounds with a windmill. City Council put aside $2000 for July 1 Dominion Day celebrations provided the sum was matched by private donations. Continue Reading
Consuls Want Improvements to Dunsmuir & Howe – May 30, 1898
The U.S. and Japanese Consuls both complained about the condition of Dunsmuir Street at intersection with Howe Street. Pictured above is the Japanese Consul's residence ca. 1899. The City Engineer was asked to fix the street and the Health Inspector to ensure removal of Rubbish from the lane. Continue Reading
Steamer James Domville Opens Granville Street Bridge – June 7, 1898
Photo shows Hugh McArthur, Alec McDonald, Charles Milne, Dick Lowe, Ronald Morrison, Jack Dalton and others on the deck of the steamer "James Domville" on its way to the Klondike. At this meeting Col Domville had written the Board of Works to get the steamer James Domville through the Granville Street Bridge.He was informed that the cost of opening the spans to let the steamer through would be $125.00 which he ... agreed to. Note: These minutes are wrongly dated. The actual meeting took place on Monday June 6 1898 and was reported on in the Tuesday June 7 newspapers. Continue Reading
New Contract With BC Electric Railway To Be Signed – June 13, 1898
Council approved a by-law to sign a new contract with the BC Electric Railway Co. Photo shows an early Vancouver street car from the 1890s. Council paid $1,000 to the Public Library and granted $100 toward forming a Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. They also approved putting in a public drinking fountain and trough near the English Bay Bathing Beach Continue Reading
Brick Barn Allowed on Hastings Street – June 20, 1898
E.H. McMillan Ideal Grocery submitted plan for a brick barn to be built at lane by rear of their premises Hastings Street at Lot 11 Block 4 O. G. T. (Shown on this page) Permission granted being in conformity with requirements of Fire Limit By-Law. Continue Reading
John Pace Appointed Cemetery Caretaker – June 27, 1898
From W. H. Livens asked the Board of Works for sidewalk North side of Pender Street, west of PalaceStables (shown in photo). The Board said they would look in to it. Mr. John Pace was appointed Cemetery Caretaker at $60.00 per month. Continue Reading
Brick Kitchen Approved for Wing Sang & Co. – July 5, 1898
Plans were submitted by J. Young for brick kitchen to be built for Wing Sang & Co * on Lot 26, Block 13, DL196, DuPont Street. Plan approved subject to plan being deposited in the City Engineer's Office. This photo from 1901 shows the Wing Sang Co., Mr. Yip Sang with children and family members. Continue Reading
Vancouver Has “No Power” to Authorize Bicycle Parking – July 25, 1898
A. St. George Hamersley, the City Solicitor, gave his opinion that, "the Council has no power to litigate by resolution on any matter that has to be regulated by By-Law" which included the placement of racks for bicycles. Hospital Matron Miss Macfie told the Health Committee she would at once resume duty if she were allowed full authority to hire and discharge nurses. Continue Reading
Council Plans More Recreation Grounds, Direct Steamship Service to San Francisco – September 6, 1898
Council identified twenty four properties it would like to expropriate for public recreation purposes, and the price it would be willing to pay for each property. Council memorialize the Board of Trade in the City of Vancouver to cooperate with the Council of the said City of Vancouver to endeavor to have such arrangements made with the view of having direct booking and reception of passengers by the Pacific Coast Steamship Company’s vessels at Vancouver for San Francisco. Continue Reading
Council Debates the Utility of “Dolphins – September 26, 1898
Council debated the utility of dolphins (man-made berthing or mooring structures that extend above water level) in the Narrows. Council argued the Government was in charge of navigation matters and therefore the proper parties to erect dolphins to aid navigation. Alderman Townley moved that the Mayor, and Alderman McQueen and himself be a committee to go into uniformly naming streets and report particulars to the Council. Deputy Minister of Marines and Fisheries acknowledged letter on the subject of English Bay foreshore rights, and stated that when the city has acquired the lots to which a foreshore is desired, the question of dealing with the foreshore will be taken up. Continue Reading
Stempel Fire Extinguishers Offered to Council for Purchase – October 3, 1898
The B.C. Agent for the Stempel Fire Extinguisher asked the City to purchase a number of fire extinguishers (pictured here) at $20.00 each. L. J. Cody complained that two boxes of cigars claimed to be stolen from him and recovered by the Police were emptied while in the possession of the Police. A By-Law was introduced to amend the Trades License By-Law so as to prohibit Sparring Exhibitions, practising as a Clairvoyant, Fortune Tellers, Spiritualistic Medium or professing to foretell the future by any occult means. Continue Reading
City Supports Plan for Steamers North and South from Vancouver – November 21, 1898
Council supported in principle Captain Edwards and Frank Richards' request for exemption from taxation of certain proposed wharves, buildings etc and free water for a term of 20 years, provided they establish steamer service as they propose. Board of Works received a letter from Wong Leong & Co, asking permission to erect a small corrugated iron building for a cool house in the rear of their store at 20 Dupont St. Photo shows the south side of Dupont St. in 1907. Continue Reading
St. Paul’s Church On The Move – November 28, 1898
The Vancouver Pet Stock Association granted use of the Market Shed December 20 - 23. Letter received from W. A. Mace asking permission to move St. Paul’s Church to corner of Pendrell and Jervis Streets.Permission granted. Council did not approve the Water and Market Committee's suggestion that D. Madison be retained as diver for $200.00 Continue Reading
YMCA Building Reports Library “In Unsafe Condition” – December 5, 1898
W.B. Ross complained about certain members of the Police Force pulling his whiskers. C.B. Macneill, agent for the YMCA building, reported on the unsafe condition of the portion of it building which is used as a public library. The Street Railway Co [will] be permitted to construct a Street Railway on Davie Street on the same terms as those contained in the Agreements for Robson and Pender Streets. Continue Reading