Efforts to oppose provincial legislation affecting property assessments. Petition to remove stump at the corner of Granville and Robson. Signs to be placed at the False Creek Bridge for vehicles to pass on the left side. Alderman. Oppenheimer to introduce by law for hotels and boarding houses to have fire escapes. Ald. Bell Irving to introduce by law for wooden box drains for house connections.
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 289-303
[vol2 page 289]
Vancouver April 23, 1888
The Council met on Monday April 23rd 1888 at 7:30 P. M.
Present His Worship the Mayor and full Board of Aldermen.
The Minutes of last meeting were read and adopted.
Communications
From S. Gobeil in reference to the Bridges across False Creek. Referred to Board of Works.
From John Broadfoot Brussels notifying Council that the Fire Engine was on the way. Referred to F. W. & L.
From Jos. Cooper Keith Esq giving notice that the Smelter contract had been signed and rendering an account of $6.26. Referred to Finance Committee.
From Secretary of the Board of Trade asking Council to assist in providing accommodation for emigrants. Referred to Finance Com.
From John H. McMillan et al praying for the improvement of Beatty Street. Referred to Board of Works.
From Thos. Marshall applying for a pipe layers license. Granted.
[vol2 page 290]
From Messrs Drake, Jackson & Helmcken in reference to T. T. Black. Referred to City Solicitor.
From H. Abbott acquainting Council that he had given orders to have crossing made on certain streets. Filed.
From the City Solicitor in reference to Street Railways. Referred to Board of Works.
From City Solicitor in reference to closing barber shops on Sunday and acquainting council that the matter was regulated by Statute. Filed.
From Messrs Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies in reference to a Street brusher. Referred to Board of Works.
From Chas. Chamberlain offering to sell fire engines to the City. Referred to Board of Works.
From F. W. Hart re road to cemetery. Referred to Board of Works.
Reports.
Health No. 7
The Health Committee met on Friday April 20th 1888 and beg to recommend the payment of the following account:
R. Dewar, Drayage $2.00
Sgd., R. Clark for Chairman
[vol2 page 291]
Moved by Alderman Clark seconded by Alderman Mannion. That the report of the Board of Health be adopted. Carried.
Police No. 4
The Police Committee met on Saturday April 21st and beg to recommend the payment of the following accounts:
C. W. Ireland $20.00
F. X. Martin $22.44
L. W. Haywood $7.00
Thos. Leitch $2.00
Thos. Lye & Co. $3.88
VanVolkenburgh & Bro. $14.65
John Scuitto $21.33
Thos. Dunn & Co. $7.15
W. J. McGuigan $5.00
Russell, McDonald & Co.$7.35
John McLaren $3.00
W. K. Williamson 50
Abrams & McLean $55.00
Hugh Conderew $5.00
Thos. Andrews $11.50
We recommend that the Jailer be instructed to make an inventory of all goods belonging to his department and report to this Committee; also that the Council purchase sets of the consolidated statues of the Dominion and of British Columbia for the use of the City.
Sgd., Jos Mannion
Moved by Alderman Oppenheimer seconded by Alderman Clark. That the Police Report be adopted. Carried.
Finance No. 9
The Finance Committee met on Saturday April 21st 1888 and beg to report that your Committee view with alarm the action of the Legislature as foreshadowed in the Assessment Bill now before the House which will prevent the rate being levied on personal property as at present provided in our City Charter and as our loans have been negotiated on the basis of the assessable property within the City limits; held by bond holders including personal property; this legislation would seriously affect the Security on which these loans were made and we recommend a strong remonstrance being sent to the Government on the subject. A clause should be inserted stating that this Act does in no way prejudice the existing rights as specified in clause 45 of the Act of Incorporation of the City of Vancouver.
The Committee has had brought to its notice that the By-Laws authorizing the issue of the debentures contain no provision whereby the debentures can be made payable elsewhere save at the City Treasurer’s
[vol2 page 293]
office and as it is expedient that power should be given to make them payable in London England we recommend that the By-Laws be withdrawn and a new By-Law for the issue of debentures to the extent of $150,000, be brought in such amount to be approved as follows:
1. Grading, repairing, making and constructing streets and bridges $109,600.
2. Completing Park Road in the West of the City $5,600
3. Making a road to the Park on the Eastern boundary of the City $7,000
4. Erecting an addition to the City Hall $2,500
5. Introducing a fire alarm system and constructing additional fire tanks etc. $10,300
6. Purchasing land for and erecting and equipping a general hospital $10,000
7. Pulling down surface drains $5,000
The clause in the last report relating to an increase of salary for the City Auditor and that portion empowering the City Treasurer to pay out of the City officials salaries the amounts due for revenue tax we again recommend for adoption by Council.
Leash for further time for the consideration of that portion of the report relating to payments made to Mr. E. Mohun until we hear the Auditor’s explanation.
The clause relating to the holding of public meetings
[vol2 page 294]
has been referred to the City Solicitor for his opinion thereon.
Sgd., Rich H. Alexander, Chairman
Moved by Alderman Alexander seconded by Alderman Brighouse. That the report of the Finance Committee be adopted. Carried.
Works No. 14
The Board of Works met on Friday April 20th 1888 and beg to report that the following tenders have been received for sheet improvements:
Tenth Avenue
Geo McKay,
Clearing etc per ft 33 cts
Cedar Logs per ft 16 cts
Box Culverts per m ft $18.00
M. P. Stewart,
Clearing etc per ft 22 cts
Cedar Logs per ft 5 cts
Box Culverts per m ft $18.00
Box Culverts per m ft $15.00
J. J. Tierney,
Clearing etc per ft 37 cts
Log Culverts per ft 45 cts
Box Drains per m ft $16.00
Keeler & Fuller,
Clearing etc per ft 27 cts
Box Culverts per m ft $16.00
[vol2 page 295]
H. Connacher,
Clearing etc. per ft 26 cts
Cedar Logs per ft 5 cts
Box Culverts per m ft $18.00
James Hudson,
Clearing etc per ft 18 cts
Round timbers per ft 8 cts
Box Culverts per m ft $16.00
McDonald & Cameron,
Grading etc per ft 27 cts
Logs for culverts per ft 5 cts
Box Culverts per m ft $17.00
Georgia Street, Section 1
J. J. Tierney,
Grading per ft 97 cts
Box drains per m ft $16.00
H. Connacher,
Grading etc per ft $1.04
Box drains per m ft $18.00
Stephenson & McCraney,
Grading etc per ft $1.21
Culvert plank per m ft $18.00
Boyd and Clandening,
Grading etc per ft $1.17
Box Culverts per m ft $17.00
McDonald & Cameron,
Grading etc per ft 97 cts
Box Culverts per m ft $17.00
Georgia St, Section 2
J. J. Tierney,
Grading etc per ft 84 cts
Box drains per m ft $16.00
Log drains per ft 50 cts
[vol2 page 296]
Boyd and Clandening,
Grading per ft $1.30
Box drains per m ft $17.00
Stephenson & McCraney,
Grading etc per ft $1.13
Box Culverts per m ft $17.00
McDonald & Cameron,
Grading etc per ft $1.27
Box Culverts per m ft $17.50
Georgia Street, Section 3
J. J. Tierney,
Grading etc per ft 77 cts
Log drains per ft 50 cts
Box drains per m ft $16.00
Boyd & Clandening
Grading etc per ft 86 cts
Box Culverts per m ft $17.00
Stephenson & McCraney,
Grading etc per ft 92 cts
Box culverts per m ft $18.00
McDonald & Cameron,
Grading etc per ft 95 cts
Box Culverts per m ft $17.50
We recommend that Tenth Avenue be awarded to James Hudson and Sections 1, 2 & 3, Georgia Street to J. J. Tierney, the Council reserving the right to cancel one or all of said contracts at any time.
Mr. John Nicholson having offered to sell the Gore at the junction of Powell and Alexander Streets for $15.00 we recommend that the necessary steps be taken to expropriate it as the price he asks is altogether too high.
[vol2 page 297]
We also recommend:
(1) That Messrs Garden and Hermon’s account for making a re-survey of the Old Granville Townsite, amounting to $170.00 be paid and that a copy of the plan be submitted to the Legislature to be sanctioned by Act of Parliament.
(2) That the Board of Works be empowered to adopt proper measures for having the Sewers flushed and call for lenders for the performance of the work.
(3) That the City Clerk be instructed to notify Mr. Abbott that the Corporation is prepared to sell him a syphon at cost price.
(4) That the stump at the corner of Granville and Robson Streets be removed as petitioned for by Wm. Power.
(5) That tenders be called for the improvement of Drake Street between Hornby and Homer Streets.
(6) That Mr. Lepage be not granted permission to erect a frame structure on Carrall Street.
(7) That the City Clerk communicate with Mr. Abbott with a view of ascertaining the price of the following described tract of land, Being bounded on the North by Hastings Streets; on the East by Carrall Street; on the South by Dupont Street produced to the railway track and on the west by the railway track containing
[vol2 page 298]
about 2 ¼ acres, said land to be used as a market ground.
(8) That the following accounts to be paid.
H. F. Keefer, gravelling $1,367.52
Moodyville Saw Mill Co. 30.41
Wm. Hawkins, Oppenheimer St. 504.00
do. Howe St. 279.19
H. Connacher, Street Work 18.00
do. Howe St. 55.25
Augus McLellan, Street Signs 31.32
W. P. Reardon, Extras on Drake St. 16.00
Sgd., H. Bell-Irving
Moved by Alderman Humphries seconded by Alderman Lefevre. That the report of the Board of Works be adopted. Carried.
By-Laws
Alderman Alexander asked leave to withdraw the By-Laws for $125,000 and $25,000 now before the people.
Moved by Alderman Lefevre seconded by Alderman Brighouse. That leave be granted. Carried.
Alderman Alexander then introduced a By-Law to authorize the issue of Debentures for $150,000 for permanent improvements which was read a first time.
Moved by Alderman Alexander seconded by Alderman Dougall. That the rules be suspended and that the By-Law be read a 2nd time. Carried.
[vol2 page 299]
Committee
The Council went into Committee of the Whole on By-Law with Alderman Clark in the Chair.
The By-Law was read over clause by clause and duly considered after which Committee rose to report progress, the Mayor resuming the Chair.
Alderman Alexander introduced a By-Law to fix the polling places etc. for taking the votes of the electors on the loan By-Law, which was read a first time.
The rules were suspended and the By-Law read a second time on Motion of Alderman Clark seconded by Alderman Alexander.
Committee
The Council went into Committee of the Whole on By-Law with Alderman Bell-Irving in the Chair.
The By-Law was read over clause by clause in Committee, after which Committee rose and Mayor resumed the Chair.
By-Law read a third time on motion of Alderman Clark seconded by Alderman Mannion and was ordered to be signed, etc.
Alderman Alexander introduced a By-Law to strike the rate of taxation for the current year which was read a first time.
[vol2 page 300]
Moved by Alderman Lefevre seconded by Alderman Clark. That the rules be suspended and the By-Law read a second time. Carried.
Committee.
The Council went into Committee of the Whole with Alderman Lefevre in the Chair.
The By-Law was duly considered in Committee after which the Committee rose to report By-Law and the Mayor resumed the Chair.
By-Law read a third time on motion of Alderman Alexander seconded by Alderman Clark, and was ordered to be signed engrossed etc.
Alderman Clark introduced a By-Law to amend Clause 2 of By-Law No 31 which was read a first time.
Moved by Alderman Clark seconded by Alderman Mannion. That the rules be suspended and that the By-Law be read a second time. Carried.
Committee.
The Council went into Committee of the Whole to consider By-Law with Alderman Clark in the Chair.
After consideration the Committee rose to report By-Law to
[vol2 page 301]
Council, the Mayor resuming the Chair.
By-Law read a third time on motion of Alderman Clark seconded by Alderman Mannion and ordered to be engrossed etc.
Alderman Humphries introduced a By-Law to impose a tax on dogs in the City of Vancouver which was read a first time.
Motions.
Moved by Alderman Humphries seconded by Alderman Bell-Irving. That the City Treasurer be authorized to refuse to E. H. King $100.00 paid into the City Treasury by him under protest in the month of March. Carried.
Moved by Alderman Alexander seconded by Alderman Bell-Irving. That Notices warning parties driving to keep to the left hand side when passing vehicles be posted at False Creek Bridge at the City Boundary on the Hastings Road and at the different livery stables and that the Fire of Health Inspector be instructed to have this carried into effect forthwith. Carried.
Moved by Alderman Lefevre seconded by Alderman Dougall. That Thos. Marshall be granted a pipe layer’s license to connect private with public Sewers. Carried.
[vol2 page 302]
Moved by Alderman Bell-Irving seconded by Alderman Oppenheimer. That the unexpended portions of the amount set aside for the construction of Section 1 of the Park Road be devoted to the construction of a Bridle Road between the head of Coal Harbour and English Bay and that the Board of Works be empowered to proceed with the work forthwith. Carried.
Moved by Alderman Clark seconded by Alderman Couth. That the Mayor appoint a Committee of this Council with power to add citizens to its number to make the necessary preparations for celebrating the first day of July next in a Suitable manner and that we invite C. Battery and the Councils and Citizens of New Westminster, Victoria and Nanaimo to join us in the celebration. Carried.
Notices of Motion
Alderman Oppenheimer gave notice that he would at next meeting of Council introduce a By-Law compelling owners of Hotels and Boarding houses to place fire escapes in their places of business capable of accommodating their guests and boarders.
[vol2 page 303]
Alderman Bell-Irving gave notice that he would introduce a By-Law to amend the Health By-Law so as to enable persons to use properly constructed wooden box drains for house connections within certain limits and under certain circumstances; also a By-Law to authorize the closing of the lane through Block 67 District Lot 185.
The Council then adjourned.
D. Oppenheimer, Mayor
Thos. F. McGuigan, City Clerk
