Garbage burning crematory urgently needed – August 4, 1890

City Clerk instructed to reply to Harbour Master’s complaint about the City’s dumping of waste into the harbour would soon be replaced by burning it. Burning site to be established along False Creek. Letter from John Crabb asking to be paid for burying a horse (!) in the cemetery. Odd Fellows organization allowed a separate location within cemetery. Distance allowed between graves to be regulated by the Health Department. Mayor and aldermen form a committee to review Royal City Planing Mills’ injunction against bridge across False Creek.

This transcript was made in 2015 by Transcribimus volunteer Donna Kynaston
and sponsored by Arnold Silber

original handwritten minutes here

City of Vancouver Archives
Series 23-A Volume 3 pages 485-497

[Volume 3 page 485]

August 4 1890
The Council met on Monday August 4, 1890 at 8 P.M.
Present His Worship the Mayor and Aldermen Browning, Carroll, Garden, Sentell, Fox, McLeod and Costello.

The Minutes of last meeting were read and adopted.

Communications
From the Secretary of the Vancouver Water Works Co. acknowledging receipt of a communication from Council re extension of Water Works system.
Filed

From the Vancouver Gas Co refusing to lower the Gas pipes on Oppenheimer St until the City acknowledged its liability in the matter.
Referred to the Board of Works

From. W. D. Wright applying for the position of Market Clerk.
Filed

From R. MacKay Fripp applying for permission to construct a small veneered building for sample rooms at Dougall House.
Referred to Bd of Works

From A. H. B. MacGowan Esq Secy Treas of the Fruit Growers Association inviting the Mayor and Council to be present at New Westminster on the 6th & 7th inst.
Filed

[Volume 3 page 486]

From John Rounsfell petitioning for the construction of a sidewalk on Robson Street from Granville to Burrard.
Referred to B of Works

From Woods Turner & Gamble submitting tracing showing the width of the Blocks from Ninth Av south on Mount Pleasant
Referred to the Board of Works

From A. McEdwards et al petitioning for a sidewalk on Hornby Street from Pacific to Drake.
Referred to B of Works

From John Crabb, asking payment of $31.00 for watching wood.
Referred to B of Works

From F. Sargent et al petitioning for the grading of land in Block 20. 196
Referred to Board of Works

From J. P. Smith et al praying for certain improvements on Seymour St.
Referred to Board of Works

From John Crabb asking to be paid for burying a horse in the Cemetery.
Referred to B of Works

From George Morley applying for the Reward for the information given by him in the Sunbury Murder Case.
Referred to B of Finance

From the City Solicitor asking for further instruction re the injunction on Cambie St Bridge.
Referred to B of Works

[Volume 3 page 487]

From the City Solicitor informing Council that he had requested Mr. Blake to give an opinion on the Subsidy matter, as he was a Director in the Union S. S. Co.
Filed

From the Pound Keeper submitting his monthly report.
Filed

From H. L. Devine et al protesting against the erection of the Crematory in Wards 4 & 5.
Referred to Board of Health

Reports
Finance No. 21
The Finance Committee met on Friday August 1st 1890.
Present His Worship the Mayor and Aldermen Browning, Costello and Garden.

It was recommended:-
1. That the Union S. S. Co Ld be granted a Subsidy of $250 per month terminable at the pleasure of the Council, provided it is legally empowered to make such grant, in consideration of said Company running the S. S. “Cutch” or some good boat, on the Vancouver Nanaimo Route, at least six days in every week, and keeping the Service up to a proper standard, the object being to build up a trade and develop the exchange of commerce between the two cities; and further that the City Solicitor’s opinion be obtained as to whether the Council has power under its charter to grant such subsidy.

2. That Messrs Tatlow & Spinks be paid the cost of making certain repairs to fences etc on Oppenheimer St, rendered necessary

[Volume 3 page 488]

by the change of grade on said Street provided it is shown that these fences etc. were put up on a grade established by the City. Alderman Costello dissented
sgd. J. M. Browning
Chairman

Moved by Alderman Carroll
Seconded by Alderman Sentell
That the report be laid over for one week.
Carried

Health No. 12
The Health Committee met on Saturday August 2nd 1890.
Present Aldermen Carroll, Fox and McLeod. Alderman Carroll in the Chair.
It was recommended:-
1. That the following accounts be paid:-
1. E. S. Scoullar & Co Repairs etc. 34.10
2. McLennan & McFeely, Supplies 215.85
3. Dr. Bell-Irving, Mental Ex. 20.00
4. S. Tilley, Stationery 5.75
5. U. S. S. Co Wharf Rent 7.50
6. Edward Tremble, Manure 22.50
7. A. Liston, Boat hire 20.50
8. R. L. Winch 13.44
9. J. S. Clute & Co, Supplies 3.15
10. R. I. Winch 13.44

2. That the City Clerk be instructed to acknowledge the receipt of the communication from the Harbor Master re dumping in the Harbor and inform him that the City is making provisions to dispose of the garbage and night soil by other means than by dumping into the harbor and hope, at an early date, to report the com-

[Volume 3 page 489]

pletion of its plans, and at the same time request him to kindly grant another extension of the privilege allowed the Council in the past.

3. That a site for the erection of the crematory be selected at a point near Carrall St. in the vicinity of the Royal City Mills or further westward along the shores of False Creek; and that immediate steps be taken to purchase such site when selected so that a means may be provided for the disposal of garbage etc.
sgd J. L. Carroll
Chairman pro tem

Moved by Alderman Costello
Seconded by Alderman Carroll
That the report of the Health Committee be adopted.
Carried

Works No 21
The Board of Works met on Thursday July 31st 1890.
Present Aldermen Browning, Sentell, Costello and Doering
It was recommended:-
1. That a plot be set aside in the public cemetery for the burial of deceased members belonging to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, provided the ground required is not excessive.

2. In reply to F. W. Hart’s Communication in reference to repairs to the Cemetery road this Committee would say that while realizing the necessity for having the road repaired, they think for the information of the Citizens, that the Council should place on record the fact that the Corporation is

[Volume 3 page 490 ]

in no way responsible for the condition of said road but considering the great interest the citizens have in it as the only public road to the cemetery they recommend that such repairs be made as are absolutely necessary, awaiting the action of the Government in the matter.

3. That the petition of F. C. Cotton praying for repairs to the lane in Block 28. 541 be referred to the Aldermen representing Ward 2.

4. That the communication from A.C. Muir in reference to the removal of wood from the cemetery grounds be referred to the City Solicitor, and that the Street Superintendent be called upon to explain to him the facts in connection therewith.

5. That Walter Taylor, Manager of the B.C. Fruit Canning & Coffee Co be informed that there are no funds available for the gravelling of Helmcken Street as petitioned for and that James Curran et al be informed to the same effect regarding the grading etc. of Homer St. from Davie to Drake.

6. That Thos. C. Sorby, Architect for the Bank of B.C. building about to be constructed in this City be granted permission to extend the cellars into the street the width of the sidewalk provided they are properly arched over in brick but that no interference can be allowed in the lanes.

7. That the box drain on Bute St be dispensed with and laid through the gully as petitioned for by John Williams.

8. That the wings on the western side of Granville Street Bridge be repaired at once

[Volume 3 page 491]

as there is a pile driver in the harbor, cost estimated not to exceed 94.00
[transcriber’s note: item no. 9 in this list was omitted in the original]

10. That the Chief of Police be instructed to have the shacks at the foot of Granville Street adjoining the Swing Bridge removed at once if found on City property.

11. That C. H. Strutt be notified that part of the building erected by him on 11th Av is on the street, and to have same removed.

12. That the following tenders be invited:-
(a) Grading Harris St 2 blocks east.
(b) “ Bute St from Georgia to Pender and sidewalking same.
(c) Grading Burrard St full width from Georgia to Nelson
(d) Sidewalking Robson St on the North Side from Burrard St west
(e) Grading and sidewalking Jarvis St from Georgia to Pender
(f) Grading Raymur St from Powell to Hastings
(g) Box drain on Davie St from Burrard to Hornby with saving effected on Howe St drain
(h) Box drain on gully between Burrard and Thurlow in place of box drain on Bute.
(i) An open ditch and box drain on the lane between Richards & Seymour for two half blocks with saving effected on Richards St Box drain.

13. That another water cart be put on for Street sprinkling as one is not sufficient for the wants of the City.

14. That Westminster Avenue be graveled from the Bridge to Prior St.

15. That Robson be graded 20 ft wide in front

[Volume 3 page 492]

of Block 48.185 from Nicola to Cardero Streets instead of a box drain on Haro St.

16. That the following contracts be awarded:-
Hamilton St sidewalk W. G. Fraser
Helmcken St “ Urquhart & Morris
11th Ave grading M. McIntyre
Prior St James King
Pender St D. Gibbons
Bridge on 11th Av. Murray & Fraser

17. That the following accounts be paid:-
Boyd & Co gravel $2121.93
Do Hornby St 399.60
C. H. Boyd Seymour St. 235.14
D. J. McDonald, Howe St. 410.85
H. Connacher, 9th Av. 134.55
Wm Tierney, Davie St. 453.60
Urquhart & Morris, Howe St. 115.53
D. Gibbons, Oppenheimer St. 114.12
Murray & Fraser, 12th Av 345.60
F. L. Budlong, Dufferin St. 251.30
Manitoba Daily Free Press 14.00
M. A. Harvey, Hack hire 4.00
E. S. Scoullar & Co., Supplies 10.50
sgd J. M. Browning
Moved by Alderman McLeod
Seconded by Alderman Sentell
That the Council go into Committee of the Whole on the Report.
Carried

Alderman Carroll was appointed Chairman.
Moved by Alderman Garden
That Clause 3 relating to Howe and Helmcken Streets be
referred back to the Board of Works for reconsideration.
Carried

Moved by Alderman Costello
Seconded by “ Browning

[Volume 3 page 493]

That the portion of Clause 16 relating to the awarding of the 11th Av Bridge contract to Messrs Murray & Fraser be struck out.
Carried

The Balance of the Report was passed without Amendment:

The Committee then rose and reported the Report complete with amendments.

Moved by Alderman Sentell
Seconded by Alderman Costello
That the Report be adopted as passed in Committee of the Whole.
Carried

A Deputation from the Board of School Trustees consisting of Messrs Brown, Wilson and McGowan appeared before the Bar of the Council, with a view of gaining the co-operation of the Council toward securing the remainder of Block 74, District Lot 196 for School purposes.

After hearing the views of the Trustees it was resolved on motion Of Alderman Fox Seconded by Alderman Sentell
That a Committee consisting of Aldermen Garden, Carrall and McLeod be appointed to meet the School Trustees to devise means towards securing the remainder of Block 74, 196 for School purposes.
Carried

Motions

Moved by Alderman Carroll
Seconded by Alderman Fox
That the City Solicitor’s be obtained as to the power of the Corporation to compel owners of slaughter houses to remove same outside of the City Limits.
Carried

[Volume 3 page 494]

Resolved
That the City Engineer be requested to make a report to the Mayor on the repairs being made by the Government on the North Arm Road.
Carried

Resolved
That the question of the removal of the Quarantine Hospital at Dead Man’s Island be referred to the Board of Health for action thereon.
Carried

Moved by Alderman Garden
Seconded by Alderman Browning
That the Crematory Committee be discharged from further duty and that the Board of Health take charge of the matter and recommend a site and decide upon the mode of disposal of garbage, and report to Council.

Moved in amendment by Alderman Carroll
Seconded by Alderman Sentell
That a new Committee consisting of Alderman Garden, McLeod and Costello with the mover and seconder take the matter in hand, and recommend a site, decide upon the disposal of garbage, and report to Council.
Amendment carried. Motion lost.

Moved by Alderman Fox
Seconded by Alderman Sentell
That the invitation from the Fruit Growers Association inviting
the Mayor and Council of Vancouver to be present at their exhibition at New Westminster be accepted with thanks.
Carried

[Volume 3 page 495]

Moved by Alderman Browning
Seconded by Alderman Sentell
That a Committee consisting of His Worship the Mayor, and Aldermen Carrall, Garden and Costello be appointed a committee with full power to instruct the City Solicitor in the matter of the injunction on the Cambie Street Bridge.
Carried

Moved by Alderman Costello
Seconded by Alderman Browning
That the City Engineer be authorized to have the cabin of
George Dyer removed from Westminster Avenue to the lots owned by the City in 200A.
Carried

Moved by Alderman Browning
Seconded by Alderman Garden
That a plan of False Creek shewing the different bridges now
crossing it, also plans, and drawings of the bridge proposed to be erected be prepared, and forwarded to the Minister of Marine and that the necessary steps be taken to obtain the consent of the Government to the construction of the same.
Carried

Moved by Alderman Browning
Seconded by Alderman Fox
That in order that the Council may be fully informed as to the nature of the occupancy of Stanley Park, the City Clerk be instructed to lay before the Council, at its next meeting, any correspondence with the Dominion Government and all papers relating to said property.
Carried

[Volume 3 page 496]

Moved by Alderman Garden
Seconded by Alderman Carroll
That the advisability of putting a surface drain in the lane in Block 3, Old Granville Townsite be considered by the Board of Works and reported on at next Council meeting.
Carried

Moved by Alderman Garden
Seconded by Alderman Costello
That the matter of opening graves and the least allowable distance that should be left between them in the Cemetery be referred to the Board of Health for their report.
Carried

The Council then adjourned.

D. Oppenheimer
Mayor

Thos. F. McGuigan City Clerk