The entire Fire Department budget was reviewed and the staff given raises. City Clerk asked to contact telephone company for a discount on rates to city government telephones.
This transcript was made in 2016 by Transcribimus volunteer Christopher Stephenson
and sponsored by Arnold Silber
original handwritten minutes here
City of Vancouver Archives
Series 23-A Volume 4 pages 291 – 296
Vancouver April 13th 1891.
The Council met on Monday April 13th 1891 at 8 P.M.
Present Aldermen Brighouse, Scoullar, Godfrey, Templeton, Hobson, Brown, McDowell, DePencier, and Doering.
The Minutes of last meeting were read and adopted. Alderman McDowell being appointed Chairman in the absence of the Mayor.
The following communications were received and read:-
From Crowder & Penzer claiming that the Market scales did not weigh correctly.
Referred to Market Committee
From the Department of Militia and Defence acknowledging receipt of a resolution of Council re formation of a Battalion of Active Militia.
Filed.
From C. Keeler Mount Pleasant stating that he was able to supply trees to replace the dead ones on the streets.
Referred to the Board of Works.
From A.J. Mouat etal [sic] asking for the grading of the lane in Block 50.181.
Referred to the Board of Works.
From the Market Clerk furnishing his Weekly Report.
Filed.
From the Chief of Police furnishing his usual weekly report on the Street Lights.
Filed.
From J.J. Nickson and Edwin Machin etal [sic] praying for the improvement of Melville Street.
Referred to the Board of Works.
From the City Auditor furnishing his report for March.
Referred to Finance
From James W. Lewis asking for a position on the Fire Brigade.
Referred to the F.W& L. Committee
From W. Towler asking to be furnished with certain information regarding the Slaughter house cases.
Referred to City Solicitor
The following reports were received and read:-
Finance No 10.
The Finance Committee met on Friday April 10th 1891.
Present Aldermen Brown, Scoullar, and Hobson.
The following accounts were recommended for payment:-
Wm Ralph. Plumbing. $13.02
Black & Wilkinson. Teams. 10.00
Palmer Bros. Coal. 14.00
Telephone Co. 23.00
T.N. Hibben & Co. B.C. Statutes. 16.50
T.H. Wooton. Express. .50
Resolved.
That the City Clerk communicate with the Telephone Co asking for a reduction in the rates charged for the City’s Telephones.
Wm Brown.
Chairman
Moved by Alderman Doering
Seconded by “ Godfrey.
That the Report of the Finance Committee be adopted.
Carried.
Works No 10.
The Board of Works met on Thursday April 9th 1891.
Present Aldermen Brighouse, Brown, Godfrey, Templeton, and DePencier.
It was resolved:-
1 That the following accounts be paid:-
R.C.P. Mills Co. Lumber. 51.59
D. Gibbons. Prince Edward St. 12.05
Tye & Co. Supplies. 4.75
D.H. Morgan. Victoria St. 283.50
Anderson & Yerex. South Park 360.68
B. Romang etal. Labor. 130.10
As instructed by Council your Committee called for tenders for the grading of Seventh Avenue to the proposed hospital, and from amongst the tenders received awarded the contract to Messrs Boyd & Clandenning.
All petitions were laid over for the time being.
Sg. S. Brighouse
Chairman
Moved by Alderman Scoullar
Seconded by “ Doering.
That the Report of the Board of Works be adopted
Carried.
F. W & L. No 6.
The Fire, Water & Light Committee met on Wednesday April 5th 1891.
Present Aldermen Templeton, Godfrey, Brighouse & Brown.
Communication from J.H. Carlisle asking for an increase of Salary for himself, and, the firemen.
The Estimates were submitted as follows:-
Salaries:-
Chief $900
1st Engineer 840
2nd Engineer 660
Driver No 1. 720
“ “ 2 720
Foreman No 1. 660
“ “ 2. 600
Six permanent men @ $45.00 = $3240
9 Call “ 15 = 1620
1 “ “ 20 = 240
Inspector 600
Telephones. 96
Feed & Shoeing. 1250
Fuel, Oil & Waste 1000
Repairs, Tools etc. 500
Water, Flushing & Sprinkling 2000
Street lighting 17419.60
Contingent. 2000.00
Deb Balances. 2108.41
The following changes were recommended:-
That the Chief’s salary be increased to $1200 in consideration of his performing the duties of Fire Inspector in place of J. Huntly, and Electrician.
1st Engineer $960
2nd “ 780
2 Drivers. 1440
Foreman No 1 Hall increased to 780
Foreman No 2 increased to 720
That the Salaries of permanent men be in future fixed on a sliding scale of:-
For 1st year $45.00 per month
“ 2nd “ 50 “ “
“ 3rd “ 55 “ “
And that of permanent men be provided for this year, at $55.00 = $4620.00
That the number of Call men be reduced to four at $15.00 per month = $720.00.
The Estimates were referred to the Finance Committee.
It was recommended:-
1 That one 16 candle power electric lamp with porcelain hood be placed over the Reporters table.
2 That C. Spice be engaged as a permanent fireman
3 That no more street lights be erected until the days begin to shorten.
4 That the Fire Alarm Box on hand be placed at the corner of Powell Street and Raymur Avenue, and that the Chief be instructed to place it at once.
5 That the Chief be instructed to get plans and cost of a hose wagon to be made in the City.
6 That the members of the Fire Department be requested to insure in some accident Insurance Co.
7 That the following accounts be paid:-
Vancouver Electric Ry & Light Co. $1187.58
John Scuitto. Supplies. 11.50
Palmer Bros. Fuel. 14.00
G.H. Bazley Shoeing. 2.00
H. McDowell & Co. Oil. 1.62
J.M. Buxton. Coal. 25.00
Val Strauble Repairs. 2.00
S. Forbes. Shoeing. 3.50
Crowder & Penzer. Feed. 42.55
sgd Wm Templeton
Chairman
Moved by Alderman Godfrey.
Seconded by “ Brighouse
That the Report of the F.W & L. Committee be adopted.
Carried.
Alderman Templeton asked leave to let his By-Law re expropriation of ends of streets leading to the Water to stand over until proper surveys were made.
Moved by Alderman Scoullar
Seconded by “ Doering.
That leave be granted.
Carried.
Notice of Motion.
Alderman Brown gave notice:-
1 That he would at next meeting of the Council move for leave to introduce a By-Law for more nearly equalizing the different wards of the City on the basis of population and property as defined by the City Charter.
2 For leave to introduce a By-Law for watering the streets by a frontage tax, on the property benefited in accordance with the conditions prescribed by the City Charter.
The Council then adjourned.
D. Oppenheimer
Mayor
Thos. F. McGuigan
City Clerk
