Request for Opera House about to be built be exempt from taxation for 20 years. Recommend purchase of six boxes and two gongs as a fire alarm system in the city and purchase of another fire engine. Donation of $200 toward the purchase of sugar beet root seed. A letter to Mr. Abbott of CPR asking that draw be put in the bridge crossing False Creek as it was preventing industries from establishing there.
This transcript was made in 2014 by Transcribimus volunteer Margaret Sutherland
and sponsored by The Oppenheimer Group
original handwritten minutes here
City of Vancouver Archives
Series 23-A Volume 2 pages 265-273
[vol2 page 265]
Vancouver April 2nd 1888
The Council met on Monday April 2nd 1888 at 7:30 P. M.
Present His Worship Mayor Oppenheimer, Aldermen Alexander, Bell-Irving, Clark, Couth, Dougall, Humphries, Lefevre and Oppenheimer.
The Minutes of last meeting were read and adopted.
Communications
From License, Health and Fire Inspector furnishing his monthly report. Filed.
From Chas. E. Berry, giving notice that the patent harness had been forwarded. Filed.
From J. Romang asking for a raise of Salary. Referred to Finance Committee.
From R. H. Cook et al praying for certain improvements in 264A. Referred to Board of Works.
From Griffin and English et al praying that the present Fire Limits on Water street be preserved. Laid over.
[vol2 page 266]
From E. S. Scoullar & Co making application for a pipe layers license. Granted.
From W. P. Reardon re grading on Drake Street. Referred to Board of Works.
From Joseph Huerter re the Burris System. Referred to the Board of Works.
From Department of Militia and Defense re title to Park. Filed
From City Solicitor giving his opinion on the communication of Messrs Drake, Jackson & Helmcken re Mr. T. T. Black. Filed.
From Messrs Garden & Hermon re Street corners in the Old Granville Townsite. Filed.
From City Auditor asking for an increase of Salary. Referred to Finance Committee.
From City Auditor furnishing report for February and drawing attention to the fact that Mr. E. Mohun had been overpaid. Referred to Board of Works.
From Messrs Fraser & Leonard giving price of Ronald Engine. Referred to F. W. & L. Committee.
[vol2 page 267]
From Chas. Chamberlain et al asking that an Opera House about to be erected be exempted from taxation for 20 years. Referred to City Solicitor.
From A. G. Ferguson asking for a Franchise for a Street Railway. Referred to Works and Finance.
The following accounts were read and referred to their respective committees:
R. Mathison, Printing $27.45
Lye & Co. Hardware, $6.98
Palmer Bros. Coal, $12.00
Canada Gazette $4.90
Thos. Leitch, Drayage, $2.00
E. W. Allbee, Stationery $2.85
Duncan McCrae, $13.00
Vancouver Herald $25.25
J. J. Leamy, Carriage $1.50
Henderson Bros. $2.67
Vancouver Carriage Works, $37.37
Henry Arkell, Feed $8.00
B. Nunnamaker, Coal, $24.00
A. J. Marks, Painting $6.00
Vancouver Wine Co. $1.50
C. M. Hawley, $7.00
H. Condrew, Police Duty $5.00
S. T. Tilley, Stationery $19.60
News Advertiser, $91.80
E. S. Scoullar & Co. Dirt Trays $54.50
John Devine, Special Audit $10.00
Harry Devine, Engrossing $5.00
Chas. E. Berry, Harness $180.00
[vol2 page 268]
F. X. Martin, Supplies $58.79
Reports.
F. W. & L. No.
The Fire, Water and Light Committee met on Thursday 29th March 1888 and beg to report that the question of introducing a fire alarm system into the City has received consideration from your Committee.
We consider the Game well System the most perfect and would recommend the purchase of Six boxes and two gongs at a cost of &125.00 each.
We would also deem it advisable to purchase another engine so that we may be fully protected from fires during the coming Summer.
An account has been submitted from E. S. Scoullar & Co. for fixing up a bath room in the fire hall amounting to $41.97 which we recommend for payment; but in future all work in connection with the Fire Department before being undertaken must be submitted for the approval of this Board, otherwise payment will be refused.
Sgd, J. Humphries, Chairman
Moved by Alderman Lefevre seconded by Alderman Clark. That the report of the
[vol2 page 269]
F. W. & L. be adopted with the exception of the clause relating to the Fire Alarm System which it would be well to refer back to the Committee. Carried.
Motions.
Moved by Alderman Bell-Irving seconded by Alderman Clark. That the following accounts be paid:
W. C. Muir, Street Work, $35.00
Boyd & Clandening, Park Road $3,370.50
James Hartney, Park Road $2,247.95
Carried.
Moved by Alderman Couth seconded by Alderman Humphries. That copies of the consolidated Statutes of British Columbia be purchased for the use of the Aldermen and be placed in the desks of each and remain the property of the City. Carried.
Alderman Bell-Irving suggested that the City Auditor furnish a detailed Statement showing how Mr. E. Mohun had been overpaid.
Moved by Alderman Oppenheimer seconded by Alderman Dougall. That $200.00 be donated by Council towards the purchase of Sugar Beef [unreadable] Seed. Carried.
[vol2 page 270]
Moved by Alderman Clark seconded by Alderman Humphries. That E. S. Scoullar & Co be granted a License to lay sewer pipes. Carried.
Moved by Alderman Lefevre seconded by Alderman Oppenheimer. That Mr. E. Mohun be instructed to furnish a plan for the use of the Inspector showing the mode of connecting private with public Sewers; also that the Board of Works be requested to furnish an estimate of the amount of new ward to be done this year and a statement of the amount of the proposed loan they intend expending in each ward. Carried.
By-Laws.
Alderman Lefevre introduced a By-Law to amend By-Law No 7 which was read a first time.
Moved by Alderman Lefevre seconded by Alderman Dougall. That the rules be suspended and the By-Law read a second time. Carried.
The Council went into Committee of the Whole on By-Law with Alderman Lefevre in the Chair.
By-Law numbered 57 and read over clause by clause.
Committee then…
[vol2 page 271]
By-Law as passed in Committee.
By-Law read a third time on motion of Alderman Clark seconded by Alderman Lefevre and ordered engrossed and printed.
The Committee appointed by the Council to wait on Mr. Abbott regarding the bridge across False Creek laid before him the following statement:
A great many industries are and will yet be established at False Creek and the impediment of the stationery bridge hampers the present industries and prevents others from establishing there.
The shore of False Creek on both sides has a frontage of nearly 2 miles and closed bridges place at the entrance interferes seriously with the Settlement of the Waterfront.
It is in the best interest both of the City and Railway that a large metropolis should be built and anything that prevents settlement would be prejudicial to both.
As the Company has a large interest in the City it is to their advantage that we should develop and progress and we consider that if the subject was placed before them in an amicable manner they would see that it would be to
[vol2 page 272]
their interest to make a Swing Bridge.
As Mayor of the City, and President of the Board of Trade J speak in behalf of both and wish to know how for the company is willing to meet us in a friendly way to remove what we consider an obstacle to our progress.
Mr. Abbott in reply said that the only official intimation that he had had on the subject was to the effect that it was not the intention of the Company to put a draw in the bridge.
Still this was at a time when the Company had intended to erect their large workshops, round houses etc. on the South side of False Creek and when a draw in the bridge meant serious interruption to their traffic. Now, however the erection of the works on this side of the creek made a difference. Besides prior to the last few days, no official representation or protects had been made to the Company on the Subject.
When a deputation from two such representative bodies as the City Council and the Board of Trade urged the matter of a draw bridge he was sure that their request would meet with the utmost attention from the Company’s officials at Montreal. He would forward their representations at once and ask the Company to reconsider the question in view
[vol2 page 273]
of the altered circumstances. Filed.
The Council then adjourned.
D. Oppenheimer, Mayor
Thos. F. McGuigan, City Clerk
