Harry T. Devine appointed temporary Clerk for the City Treasurer’s department. New hats were ordered for the police and fire departments. 14 mattresses were needed for the new City Jail, and the police chief requested new mattresses as well for the fire department dormitories. A home phone for the Chief of Police was approved.
This transcript was made in 2023 by Transcribimus volunteer Gerald Soon
Illustration source:
Text Source Vancouver City Council Series 31
Volume 8 pages 258 – 266
[Vol 8 Page] 258
Vancouver April 18th 1898
The Council met on Monday April 18th 1898.
Present – His Worship, the Mayor and Aldermen Painter, Townsley, McQueen, Neelands, McPhaiden, McGuigan, Brown, Foreman, McMorran and Bruce.
The Minutes of last meeting were read and adopted.
Communications
From James Ker, Secretary of the Trades and Labor Council asking the City to provide free Recreation Grounds in Stanley Park.
Referred to the Finance Committee.
From the Chief of Police reporting on the Electric Lights Filed
From Frank. Morgan asking for a six month’s lease of the City Bathing Sheds.
Referred to the Board of Works
From W.T. Stein, Secretary of the Board of Trade requesting the Mayor and Council to call a Public Meeting to discuss the propriety of asking for such assistance from the Provincial Government as would secure the immediate building of a railway from Teslin Lake to a point on British Columbia water.
Moved by Alderman McQueen
Seconded by ‘ McMorran
That: the Mayor be authorized to call a Public Meeting any night this week except Saturday night for the purpose mentioned.
Carried
From J.G. Garvin calling attention to cruelty to animals re Dogs at Cassady & Co old factory.
Moved by Alderman McQueen
Seconded by “ Foreman
That the matter be referred to the Health Inspector with instructions to abate.
Carried
[Vol 8 Page 259]
From R.M. McLean of the Anglo Continental Public Works Company, Limited of London, Eng. making an offer for the erection of a smelter in Vancouver.
Referred to the Finance Committee
The following Reports were received and read:-
Board of Works
The Board of Works met on Thursday April the 11th 1898.
Present – the full Board
Mr. Buntzen, Manager of the B.C. Elec Ry Co and Mr. Campbell, the Company’s Expert; interviewed the Board in reference to the use of a 56 lb rail “T” on certain portions of streets
Resolved that the B.C. Elec Ry Co be permitted to lay a 56 Lb “T” Rail on Westminster Avenue from Hastings to Powell Street and on Powell Street for 1 ½ blocks from the Switch on Powell Street as far as the curve on Westminster Av and also on Hastings Street from Carrall Street to Westminster Av and Westminster Avenue from Hastings Street to Harris Street provided the wood block pavement is laid, said permission being granted only for the life of the rail and for the portions of streets mentioned only.
Communications
From James Nancy and others asking that the sidewalk on the West side of Westminster Road be placed in its proper position as far as 13 th Av.
Laid over until the Street is graded later on.
From Wm Jordan asking for recompense for having Cleared in front of his premises at Block 21. 200 A.
From Hope. Graveley & Co Rand Bros. and Irmes Richards & Co in reference to proposed wood paving.
[Vol 8 Page] 260
Resolved that they be furnished with any further explanation desired in their respective letters but informed that the date of the Court of Revision cannot now be altered.
Resolved that the lease of the City Bathing Sheds at English Bay be not received this year.
Resolved that the Ward One Foreman be instructed by the Engineer to raise the sidewalk on Georgia Street South Side and relayed in permanent position between Bute and Jervis Streets and also put down Sidewalk on East side of Jarvis Street from Georgia to Robson Street.
Resolved that the Foreman for Ward 3 be instructed by the City Engineer to extend the existing 3 plank walk on Hastings Street East as far as Victoria Drive.
Resolved that as soon as rock is assured that the City Engineer have the foot of Granville Street fixed from Pacific Street to the Bridge.
Mr. Braden who appeared before the Board in reference to a small smoke house at his premises regarding which complaint was made as not being in accordance with the Fire Limit By-Law was instructed to submit a plan at the next meeting of the Board.
Resolved that tenders be called up to 4 P.M. on Thursday April 28th for the delivery of crushed rock on the Streets the specifications for same to be seen on and after the 27th inst.
A communication from A. Whitaker complaining of the condition of the sidewalk on 13th Avenue between Twelve and Ontario Streets was referred to the Engineer to have it fixed by the Ward Forman.
The following accounts were recommended for payment:-
Robertson & Hackett Supplies $287.01
B.C.M.T.& T. Co “ 66.79
[Vol 8 Page] 261
Evans Coleman & Evans Supplies $16.00
S. Eckert etal Labor 1415.60
sgd H. J. Painter
Chairman
Moved by Alderman Painter
Seconded by “ McMorran
That the Report be adopted
Moved in Amendment by Alderman Brown
Seconded by Alderman Bruce
That the Clause in reference to the T Rail be struck out.
Amendment lost.
Motion Carried.
The Votes on the amendment was as follows:
Yeas: Aldermen Brown, Bruce and MacQueen
Nays “ Painter, Townsley, Neelands, McPhaiden, MacGuigan, Foremen and Mrs Morris.
Water and Market Committee
The Water and Market Committee met on Wednesday April 13th 1898.
Present – the full Board
Mrs Harris waited upon the Committee asking for an extension of time in which to pay the arrears of water rates upon her house on Hornby Street. It was resolved to allow the arrears of water to stand until Mrs. Harris is in a position to pay them.
Mr. McInlock waited upon the Committee asking that his water rate on the shop remaine so heretofore instead of placing a meter.
Laid over
A Communication was received from James Stewart asking for an increase of Salary.
Filed.
It was resolved to purchase $1000 worth of meters of various sizes.
It was resolved to place the account for arrears of Water Rates against H. H. Spier & Co in the hands of the City Solicitor for collection
[Vol 8 Page] 262
The following accounts are recommended for payment:
J.E. Barwick Supplies $1.90
Champion & White “ .90
Crowder & Penzer “ 45.00
Pay-Roll Labor 843.20
Thos. Dunn & Co Supplies 52.07
Johnston, Kerfoot & Co “ 7.35
Clarke & Stuart “ 7.05
Edwards Bros “ 1.15
Hastings Saw Mill “ 28.24
sgd Wm Brown
Chairman
Moved by Alderman Brown
Seconded by “ Foreman
That the Report be adopted.
Carried
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee met on Friday April 15th 1898
Present – the full Board
The following accounts were ordered to be paid:-
G.A. Roedde Supplies $48.00
City Grocery Co “ 2.55
W.E. Johnstone Clerical work 18.00
Communications
From R.A. McCracken asking the assistance of the Council in securing a site for Manufacturing burial caskets
Resolved that he be informed that the individual numbers of the Committee will be pleased to give him any information in their power
From Mr W. Pellew Harvey, asking for the appointment of Public Analyst
Filed for reference
The Communication from the Deputy Attorney General and Mr. Marpole were again laid over.
From A.F. Morris asking for an appropriation
[Vol 8 Page] 263
of $150.00 to assist him in setting up a Guide book containing a map of Vancouver
Referred to the Chairman and Alderman Brown to enquire into cost, etc. and report at a future meeting.
The City Solicitor reported that he had looked into the financial standing of the proposed bondsmen on the Clark Contract
They were accepted by the Committee
It was resolved that the Rock Crushing Contract be approved and authorized to be signed by the Mayor and City Clerk and the Corporate Seal affixed thereto.
sgd Jas McQueen
Chairman
Moved by Alderman McQueen
Seconded by “ Painter
That the Report be adopted.
Carried.
Fire and Police Committee
The Fire and Police Committee met on Tuesday April 12th 1898
Present – the full Board
The following accounts were recommended for payment:-
City Grocery Supplies $34.99
Geo Leonard Drayage 1.00
Hastings Saw Mill supplies 3.20
I Clough Drayage .50
Crowder & Penzar Supplies 175.12
W.A. Cumyow Interpreting 10.00
Clarke & Stuart Supplies 10.41
Gross & McNeill Drayage .50
B.C.M.T.&T. Co Supplies 11.07
C.N. Mylins Boat hire .50
City Treasurer Pay-Roll 56.10
J. Dodson Supplies 26.25
F.A. Lee Hack hire 3.00
W.J. McGuigan Inquests 30.00
[Vol 8 Page] 264
D.J. McLean Supplies $3.90
M. Rae Pound feed 6.00
Mining Critic Supplies 5.80
Gum Lee Yuen “ .50
CPR Telegraph Telegram 1.65
Thos Dunn & Co Supplies 17.15
Nelson Drug Co “ 25.34
Alfred Poole Med Evidence 5.00
Dom Fish Co Supplies 4.60
Communications
From Wm McGinn resigning his position as Night Watchman
Accepted
From Thos. F. Colbeck making application for the vacant position of Night Watchman and the grant of $20.00 made by Council
Resolved that he be appointed night Watchman at a salary of $20.00 per month
From the Chief of Police asking for 14 mattresses and 30 pairs of blankets to furnish new cells at City jail and from the Chief of the Fire Department asking for mattresses for the Fire Halls.
Resolved that their requests be granted and that tenders be called for supplying same.
From the Chief of Police asking that a telephone by put in his residence to be paid for by the City
Resolved that his request be granted
From Sargeant Johnston asking for an extension of his leave of absence for a few weeks longer
Resolved that his leave of absence be extended to the 25th of April.
Resolved that ten helmets and two caps be ordered for the Police department through S McPherson and 21 Firemen’s Caps
[Vol 8 Page 265]
through Wm Murphy.
Resolved that tenders by called for clothing boots etc for the prisoners to be delivered as requested
Resolved that tenders be invited for two teams of. horses for the Fire Department their situation to be left in the hands of the Chairman and Alderman McPhaiden and Chief Carlyle
sgd R.A. McMorran
Chairman
Moved by Alderman McMorran
Seconded by “ McQueen
That the Report be adopted.
Carried.
Unfinished business
Under the head of unfinished business the following applications were received and considered for the position of temporary Clerk in the Treasurer’s Office
A.H. Searle, J.M. Jorgenson. H.W. Simpson, F.A. Barnes, G.E. Walton, James Shaw, H.E. McFeegall, R.E. Green, G.B. Jams, M.W. Frenre, Wm Clayglah, A.D. Gothart, Norman McLeod, G.W. Campbell, A.N.C. King, R.P. Cornish, Geo Pollay. C. Davis, J. Powers,W.C. Millar, Arthur Mason, M.L. Foley and Samuel Roberts.
The Council proceeded to ballot for a selection on motion of Alderman McMorran, Seconded by Alderman McGuigan.
After a number of ballots was taken it was found that Harry, T. Devine received a majority of the Council
[Vol 8 Page] 266
It was then moved by Alderman Townley
Seconded by Alderman Foreman
That Harry T. Devine be appointed temporary Clerk in City Treasurer’s office at a Salary of $60.00 per month.
Motions
Moved by Alderman McQueen
Seconded by : “ McPhaiden
That the City Clerk be instructed to write to our Member, Mr Maxwell requesting him to urge the Government to have the dredging at the mouth of False Creek done as soon as possible.
Carried
Moved by Alderman Painter
Seconded by “ McGuigan
That the Council Stand adjourned until Friday next at 2:30 P.M. to consider new Street Railway Agreements
Carried.
Thos F. McGuigan
City Clerk
