The City cannot offer a bonus or a subsidy to a steamship for regular market day service unless the subsidy is first approved by the electors. The City will pay Sister Francis $4.00 a week for the care of Mrs. Richardson, $4.00 being the same rate as St. Paul’s Hospital. The Recreation Grounds committee reported good progress with the Consolidated Light & Railway company toward the company developing a recreation ground in Stanley Park in exchange for being allowed to run their tracks nearby.
This transcript was made in 2021 by Transcribimus volunteer Gerald Soon
Illustration: COVA Item SGN 1092
Steamer ship passing through first narrows of Burrard Inlet
Manuscript: City of Vancouver Archives
COV S 31 Volume 7 pages 114 – 122
[Volume 7 page] 114
Vancouver April 7th 1896
The Council met on Tuesday April 7th 1896.
Present – His Worship the Mayor and Aldermen Shaw, Painter, Banfield, Schon, McPhaiden, Clandenning Brown, MacDonald Bethune and Coldwell.
The Minutes of last meeting were read and adopted.
Communication
From Chas Woodward etal asking that the band be required to play on Westminster Av.
Laid over
From E. A. Charlies asking for a free site for a Dry Dock
Referred to the Finance Committee
From Geo Martin asking that Ontario Street be opened up to the City Boundary.
Referred to the Board of Works
From S.D. Pope, Superintendent of Education stating that the issue of a cheque for the schools was a matter to be arranged between the Government and the City.
The City Clerk was instructed to write for explanations
From F.S. Barnard, President of the Consolidated Railway and Light Co. asking that the Engineer be instructed to locate the new lights.
Referred to the Light Committee
From the City Solicitor stating that it would be necessary to submit a By-Law to the electors to authorize a bonus for the running of a steamer between Chilliwack and Vancouver.
Filed
From Wm Miller etal asking that the Market Day be fixed for Saturdays
Referred to the Market Committee
[Volume 7 page] 115
From Mrs John McLennan asking the City to take charge of Mrs Addison an inmate of the Woman’s Home as the same was about to be closed up.
Referred to the Health Committee
From R.G. Tatlow asking the Mayor to write to New Westminster for the use of their rock crusher.
The City Clerk was instructed to write.
From C. Sweeny etal asking that a License be not granted to run a Laundry in a building between Pender and Dunsmuir streets on the west side of Seymour St
Referred to the Police Committee
From Mason & Co complaining about the License Inspector
Filed.
From the Consolidated Railway and Light Co offering to clear a recreation ground in Stanley Park for the 20 years use of same and for permission to extend their track thereto and from the Park Commissioners stating that they were in favor of having a free recreation ground in Stanley Park
In connection with these communications the following Report was received and read:-
The Recreation Grounds Committee met on Tuesday April 7th 1896.
Present – Aldermen Painter, Schon, MacDonald Coldwell and Clandenning, Messrs Tatlow and Costello. Park Commissioners and Mr F.S. Barnard on behalf of the Consolidated Railway & Light Co.
It was moved that the proposition contained in the letter of the Consolidated Railway and Light Co be received and that the Dominion Government be communicated with to ascertain whether there would be any objection to the City dealing with that portion of the Park in the manner proposed in the said letter and building of the proposed bridge
[Volume 7 page] 116
across Coal Harbour and if there is no objection to so doing that a contract be drawn up with the Company containing the said proposals and such other conditions as may be thought necessary or advisable.
sgd H.J. Painter
Chairman
Moved by Alderman Painter
Seconded by “ MacDonald
That the Report be adopted.
Carried.
Board of Works
The Board of Works met on the 2nd April 1896.
Present – the full Board.
Communications
From Campbell McIntosh asking that the old sidewalk in front of his place on 6th Av be fixed
Referred to the Ward Foreman
From W. Brown etal asking that the old sidewalk which has been replaced by a new one on Hornby Street be placed on the West side of the same street adjoining their premises
Referred to the Ward foreman for attention.
Petitions for improvements on 5th Av on Hornby Street and also on Helmcken Street were laid over pending the estimates.
Resolved that arrangements be made to have the shed removed at the foot of Georgia Street at the entrance to the bridge’s leading to the Park as it is unsightly in its present state.
The following accounts were recommended for payment:-
Con Ry & L. Co. $5
Evans, Coleman & Evans 1.60
sgd H.P.Shaw
Chairman
The Report was adopted on motion of Alderman Clandenning Seconded by Alderman Shaw.
[Volume 7 page] 117
Water and Market Committee
The Water and Market Committee met on Wednesday April 1st 1896
Present – the full Board
Communications
From John Irving stating that he was Inquiring on putting a boat on the route between Fraser River points and Vancouver without asking any guarantee. Filed.
From Mr. D. McLennan offering to give a direct steam boat service twice a week between Chilliwack and Vancouver for a bonus of $100 per month contract to be for six months
Resolved that Captain McLennan’s offer to run a steamer between Chilliwack and Vancouver for a bonus of $100 per month contract to be for six months
Resolved that Captain McLennan’s offer to run a steamer between Chilliwack and Vancouver to be here at 7 a.m. on Tuesday and Friday of each week be accepted. That he have the use of the City slip. That he carry freight from Chilliwack to Vancouver at $2.50 per ton and from Langley to Vancouver at $2.00 and that an agreement be entered into with him for the faithful performance of his contract.
Be it further resolved that two market days be established each week viz on Tuesday and Friday and that the 1st opening be held on Tuesday the 14th next and that the Mayor be asked to open the market on that date.
That the City Clerk be instructed to announce the date of the opening and the rates that will be charged for conveying freight from the different points to Vancouver such announcement to be published once in the following papers viz the “Columbian” New Westminster the Chilliwack Progress and the Weekly World and News advertiser, Vancouver.
From S. Thompson and others asking that each Saturday be made a Market Day
No action taken
[Volume 7 page] 118
The Board then adjourned.
sgd Wm Brown
Chairperson
Moved by Alderman Brown
Seconded by “ Coldwell
That the Clause in reference to the bonusing of a Steamer be struck out and that the City Clerk be instructed to notify Mr McLennan that the ByLaw granting such bonus must be voted on by the electors. Carried.
Moved by Alderman Brown
Seconded by “ Coldwell
That the Report as amended be adopted.
Carried
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee met on Thursday April 2nd 1896. Present – the full Board
The following account was recommended for payment:-
News. Advertiser Supplies $93.35
Communications
From Mason & Co complaining that there were people carrying on the business of Employment Agents without paying any license
Referred to the License Inspector
From Wm Cowderoy asking for an increase of salary
Laid over for Estimates
From D. McGillivray stating that he had sold his street paving business to Armstrong and Morrison, and asking that Morrison’s name be substituted for his on the bond.
Resolved that his request be granted and that the City Solicitor be instructed to prepare a new bond for signature.
Resolved that the City Clerk be instructed to call for applications for the position of House Surgeon for the City Hospital
The Estimates were taken into consideration and the following communications in connection therewith filed:-
From Wm Ward asking that the salary of Officer
[Volume 7 page] 119
Harris be increased.
From F. Humphey and Dr Thomas asking that their respective salaries be increased.
From the Coroner asking that the City provide an ambulance.
The following provisions were to be made in the Estimates:-
For an increase in salary of $5.00 a month for Thos Beckett and $5.00 a month for nurses after they have served one year.
The Board adjourned without finishing the consideration of the Estimates.
signed J.J. Banfield
Chairman
Moved by Alderman Banfield
Seconded by “ Painter
That the Report be adopted.
Carried.
Light Railway & Tramway Committee
The Light Railway & Tramway Committee met on Tuesday March 31st 1896
Present – the full Board; also the City Solicitor and Mr. F. S. Barnard on behalf of the Consolidated Railway and Light Co.
Resolved that a contract be entered into with the Consolidated Railway and Light Company but the City for lighting the City by the Company on the following terms:- The Contract to be for a period of ten years from the 1st of June 1896.
The Company to satisfy at least 200 arc lights in each position as may be decided by the Council at a rate of 27 ½ cts per light per night for 310 nights at least in every year.
If this Company is at any time required to supply further lights they shall do so at the request of Council at the following rates:-
If more than 200 lights supplied then 27 amts per night up to 250 lights
If more than 250 are supplied then 26 cts per light per night for all lights supplied.
The lights to be of 2000 candle power each. Provided that should the Council increase the number of lights above 200 or above 250
[Volume 7 page] 120
at any time they shall be so increased in number that the gross amount due to the Company for each night’s lighting shall not be decreased by each change.
The Company to deliver a bond to the City to the satisfaction of the City Council in the sum of $5000 liquidated damages for the due fulfilment of the contract. A contract to be drawn containing above terms and such other terms as may be considered in the interests of the City to invest therein.
Communication
From W. T. Steward asking for a portion of the $1000 forfeited by the City in consideration being the means of securing a cheaper light for the City.
Laid over
sgd J. Clandenning
Chairman
Moved by Alderman Brown
Seconded by “ Clandenning
That the Report be adopted.
Carried
Health Committee
The Health Committee met on Wednesday April 1st 1896
Present – Aldermen McPhaiden, Shaw, Banfield and Bethune.
The following accounts were recommended for payment:-
J. Stevens & Son Supplies $91.55
Can Ry & L. Co. “ 5.
St. Luke’s Home Board 20
Champion & White Scavangering 1.00
J. Stark Supplies 8.50
News.Advertiser “ 8.90
Communications
From Sister Francis asking that the City continue to pay for the keep of Mrs. Richardson in St Luke’s Home for a week or two longer.
Resolved that Sister Francis be informed that the city will pay $4.00 a week for the Board of Mrs. Richardson that being the rate charged at St. Paul’s Hospital.
From Miss Macfie, J.T. Brown and Robert Marrion furnishing monthly Reports. Filed.
[Volume 7 page] 121
From Miss Macfie asking that the nurses salaries be increased to $15.00 a month when they have served one year.
Laid over for estimates
Resolved that F. W. Thomas, Cemetery Caretaker be paid $5.00 per month dating from the 2nd of March for his wife’s attendance on the telephone.
sgd D. McPhaiden
Chairman
Moved by Alderman McPhaiden
Seconded by “ MacDonald
That the Report be adopted.
Carried.
Motions
Moved by Alderman Brown
Seconded by “ Schon
That the contract referred to in the Report of the Light Committee shall also contain a clause stipulating that the Company shall not charge consumers of incandescent light any larger price or prices than that or those at present thus charged and the same rebate as now shall be allowed such consumers during the term of the contract. Also that the City shall have the right to purchase all the electric light plant and properties at a valuation based on actual cost at any time during the term of contract. Carried.
Reconsideration of By-laws
Moved by Alderman Brown.
Seconded by “ McPhaiden
That the following By-Laws be reconsidered and finally passed and authorized to be signed by the Mayor and City Clerk and the Corporate Seal affixed thereto viz:- A By-Law to fix the remuneration to be paid to the Mayor and A By-Law to repeal By_Law No 236. Carried
[Volume 7 page] 122
These By-Laws were accordingly reconsidered and finally passed.
Notice of Motion
Alderman Schon gave notice that at next meeting of Council he would introduce a By-Law to authorize the subsidising of a Steamer to run between Fraser River points and Vancouver.
Alderman Banfield gave notice of his intention to introduce a By-Law making a grant of $5000 in aid of a public gathering to be held in the City about the end of August 1896 at which aquatic and athletic sports are to be held the competition thereat to be open to the World and provided that Messrs Stansbury and Gautier agree to complete thereat and that the By-Law will be submitted to the Citizens for their consent on or before about the 21st day of April 1896 and notice to be inserted in the Advertiser and World at least three times a week for two weeks.
The Council then adjourned to Friday the 10th next at 7:30 P.M.
Henry Collins
Mayor
Thos F McGuigan
City Clerk
