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.
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.
Shown above is the Templeton home at 1213 Barclay Street. Former Mayor William Templeton had died the previous day, Sunday January 16, 1898.
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.
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.
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.
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…
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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.
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.
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…
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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.
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.
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.
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…
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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. |…
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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…
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“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…
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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.
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.…
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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.
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…
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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…
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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.
From W. H. Livens asked the Board of Works for sidewalk North side of Pender Street, west of Palace Stables (shown in photo). The Board said they would look in to it. Mr. John Pace was appointed Crematory Caretaker at $60.00 per month.
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…
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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…
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J. M. Maclean Medical Health Officer reported on nuisance caused by fish offal now coming in at English Bay Beach. MacLean and the Board of Health will communicate with the Provincial Health Officer over this matter. H. Mutrie and Frank Granville were appointed Assessors of Land and J.C. Garvin, Assessor…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Police Constable McIntosh (one of the two pictured above) received a Doctor’s Bill six dollars for dressing a wound received while in the discharge of his duty. Council resolved he be informed that the City has no authority to pay this account. Resolved that the Police be required hereafter to…
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The City Solicitor giving it as his opinion that Col Domville was entitled to the refund of the amount paid by him to the City for the removal of a portion of Granville Street for getting his boat through. During 1899, the steamer ran from Dawson to Whitehorse every six…
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The City Clerk was directed to write to F. Gourdeau, Deputy Minister of Marine and Fisheries. The City has no objection against the granting of the foreshore applied for by the BC Sugar Refining Co. However, the City would apply for the foreshore fronting on Boundary Avenue and also Heatly…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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