R. J. Skinner asked the Water and Market Committee for reduced water rates for Court House grounds. The Committee “[did] not see their way to make any reduction.” However, Council as a whole offered to Provincial Government offering free water for the Court House grounds “provided a suitable fountain is erected thereon”. Illustration shows the Court House on Hastings St in 1893.
This transcript was made in 2023 by Transcribimus volunteer Barbara Kearney-Copan
Illustration Source:
Item : Bu N13 – Court House, Vancouver B.C.
Source: City of Vancouver Archives
COV S31 715-E-02 Vol 9
pages 238-246
[Volume 9 page] 238
Vancouver August 14th 1899
The Council met on Monday August 14th 1899.
Present His Worship the Mayor and Aldermen Grant, Gilmour, McQueen, McPhaiden, McGuigan, Brown, Bruce, and Wood.
The minutes of last meeting were read and adopted.
Communications
From J. T. Brown, License Inspector asking for one month’s leave of absence.
Moved by Alderman McPhaiden
Seconded by “ McQueen
That his request be granted.
Carried.
From W. D. Muir stating that a foot bridge over Westminster Road was encroaching on his property.
Referred to the Board of Works.
From the Police reporting on the electric lights.
Filed.
From H. H. Spicer asking for the opening up of 8th Av.
Referred to the Board of Works.
From James Carnahan complaining about the Health Inspectors.
Referred to the Board of Works.
From John Rumble et al asking for improvements on Homer Street.
Referred to the Board of Works.
From Alderman R. B. Skinner asking for one month’s leave of absence.
Moved by Alderman McQueen
Seconded by “ Grant
That Alderman Skinner be granted one month’s leave of absence.
Carried.
From Chas. Seabrooke complaining about the condition of Westminster Avenue at Dufferin Street.
Referred to the Board of Works.
From P. G. Fenton et al asking for a traffic
[Volume 9 page] 239
bridge on 8th Avenue from Westminster Road.
Referred to Board of Works.
From A. E. Lees et al asking for the amending of the Sunday closing By-Law to permit the sale of refreshments at English Bay.
Referred to the Police Committee
From J. Buntzen General Manager of the B. C. Electric Railway Co. stating that the cars were running on Fairview up to agreement.
Filed.
From C. W. Murray Secretary of the School Board asking for the passing of a Curfew By-Law.
Laid over.
The following reports were received and read:-
Fire and Police Committee
The Fire and Police Committee met on Tuesday August 8th 1899.
Present Aldermen Gilmour, McPhaiden and Brown.
The following accounts were recommended for payment:-
| J. Mc McLean | Medical Evidence | $5.00 |
| Robinson & Peppard | Draying | 15.00 |
| F. A. Lee | Hack hire | 8.00 |
| ThP. Dunn & Co. | Supplies | 1.25 |
| Robt Clark | “ | 8.25 |
| Mackenzie Bros. | “ | 82.90 |
| W. J. McGuigan | Inquiry | 5.00 |
| Can Gen Elec Co. | Supplies | 15.67 |
| McLennan & McFeely | “ | 36.69 |
| City Grocery Co. | “ | 38.42 |
| Alfred Poole | Medical Evidence | 5.00 |
| Valley Dairy Co. | Supplies | 3.05 |
| S. McPherson | “ | 104.75 |
| Armstrong & Morrison | “ | 1.95 |
| McDowell & Co. | “ | 7.00 |
| R. Casselman | “ | 1.85 |
| M. Rae | Keep of Dogs | 6.00 |
| G. W. Hutchings | Supplies | 14.25 |
| Evans Coleman & Evans | “ | 14.25 |
| C. S. Philp | “ | 8.20 |
| R. Parker & Sons | “ | 27.28 |
| C. P. R. Co. | “ | 6.67 |
[Volume 9 page] 240
| J. Dodson | Supplies | $18.80 |
Resolved that the Chairman, the Chief of the Fire Department and the Doctor in attendance on Fireman Davie be authorized to examine into his case and report thereon at next meeting.
Resolved that the Chief of the Fire Department be instructed to enforce the By-Law re the depositing of inflammable material in the lanes and vacant lots throughout the City.
Resolved that forms be printed on which applications are to be made for filling positions on the Fire Brigade and Police Force, the City Solicitor to prepare form.
The Rules and Regulations of the Fire Department were approved.
A Report was submitted from the Pound Keeper which was received and filed.
Sgd
H. B. Gilmour,
Chairman.
Moved by Alderman Gilmour.
Seconded by “ McPhaiden,
That the Report be adopted.
Carried.
Water and Market Committee
The Water and Market Committee met on Wednesday August 9th 1899.
Present Aldermen Brown, McQueen, McGuigan and Wood.
Communications
From M. E. Blair re pipe on Ontario Street.
Referred to the Engineer to report.
From the Chief of the Fire Department asking for a hydrant on the corner of Granville and Dunsmuir Streets.
To be placed as soon as possible.
From R. J. Skinner asking for reduced water rates for Court House grounds.
The Committee do not see their way to make any reduction.
From A. Morin et al asking to have water
[Volume 9 page] 241
main extended through Block 100 D.L. 196
Referred to the City Engineer to report.
From J. Mason & Co. asking to have water main extended through to corner of Hastings and Vernon Streets.
Referred to the City Engineer to report.
The following accounts were recommended for payment:-
| B. C. M. T. & T. Co. | Supplies | $40.70 |
| Van City Iron Works | “ | 8.37 |
| Champion & White | Scavengering | 1.65 |
| Thurston & Sons | Supplies | 1.00 |
| John Austin | “ | 3.00 |
| Clarke & Stuart | “ | 5.00 |
| Mackenzie Bros. | “ | 33.69 |
| Sparks & Cook | “ | 25.00 |
| C. S. Philp | “ | 74.96 |
| C. P. Transfer Co. | Draying | 28.50 |
| ThP. Dunn & Co. | Supplies | 12.85 |
| Trythall & Son | “ | 16.25 |
| City Grocery Co. | “ | 338.45 |
| Robinson & Peppard | Draying | 13.50 |
| R. Casselman | Supplies | 2.75 |
| J. Dodson | “ | 16.00 |
| Robt. Porter & Sons | “ | 209.82 |
| Water Works Payroll | Labor | 1739.40 |
| C. H. Cates | Hire of Scow etc. | 160.00 |
| Herbert Harris | Submerged Drain | 275.00 |
Sgd Wm. Brown
Chairman
Moved by Alderman Brown
Seconded by “ McGuigan,
That the Report be adopted.
Carried.
Board of Works
The Board of Works met on Thursday August 10th 1899.
Present Aldermen Bruce, Grant, Brown, McQueen and McPhaiden.
Communications
From H. A. Mellon re Nicola Street Local Improvements notifying the Board that several property owners were objecting to the leaving out of the curb.
[Volume 9 page] 242
It was decided to let the contract go on leaving out the sodding and the trees and to insert the curb, the City Solicitor to prepare contract accordingly.
From J. Z. Hall asking that the street in front of Block 289, 6th Av. Fairview be opened up.
Referred to the Chain gang.
From Mrs. Dudley re street watering on Dunsmuir Street.
Referred to the Fire and Police Committee to try and put on a team for extra watering.
From W. Harris requesting the grading of a part of Hawkes Avenue.
Referred to the Chain Gang
From H. J. Poole asking for a sidewalk on 9th Av past the school.
6 ft sidewalk to be laid.
From S. A. McDowell complaining of surface draining from Hastings Street onto his lot.
Referred to the City Engineer.
From R. Clayton et al requesting sidewalk on 3rd Ave, Fairview for 3 blocks.
A trail to be cut and a one plank sidewalk was ordered.
From Dobbin et al requesting the opening up of Lane in Block 10, D. L. 185.
Referred to the Chain Gang.
From Evans, Coleman & Evans applying for a surface drain to be put in lane between Abbott and Carrall Streets rear of Cordova Street.
Referred to the Engineer to find out if existing drain is deep enough.
From Ironside and Campbell complaining of the non delivery of curbing for streets.
Filed for reference.
From Gilmore and Clark objecting to the vitrified brick being laid on Cordova Street East.
Laid over.
From A. J. Scott asking for a graded sidewalk on Jervis Street from Robson to Barclay.
6 ft. walk ordered from Haro to Barclay.
[Volume 9 page] 243
From A. Shotton requesting the clearing up of lane in Block 14. 200a.
Referred to the Chain gang.
From Ironside & Campbell offering to do the extra work on Westminster Avenue for $260.
Referred to the City Engineer to draw up specifications etc and to the City Solicitor to draw up agreement. Half the cost the extra work to be charged to the Street Ry Co.
The grading of Fir Street from 3rd to 5th Av was laid over.
The Ward Foreman was ordered to grade lane in rear of Block 48 D. L. 196 and a three plank sidewalk to be laid on Powell Street 75 feet from corner and 200 ft long.
Re hose required by men on Sewers.
It was recommended that the Fire Department be requested to give the Board 200 feet for flushing sewers.
The following accounts were recommended for payment:-
| Evans, Coleman & Evans | Supplies | $962.15 |
| Clarke & Stuart | “ | 8.95 |
| W. L. Tait | “ | 75.00 |
| Wm. Ralph | “ | 3.60 |
| Champion & White | Scavengering | 3.00 |
| C. B. Higginson | Teaming | 6.05 |
| C. H. Coles | Pile driving | 88.00 |
| McLennan & McFeely | Supplies | 306.74 |
| Pay Roll | Labor | 3162.15 |
| J. C. Brunt | “ | 2.80 |
| Robinson & Peppard | Teaming | 5.25 |
| B. C. Cement Co. | Supplies | 7.20 |
| Van City Iron Works | “ | 5.06 |
| Robertson & Hackett | “ | 129.55 |
Plans for Rogers Block were approved. Plans for C. P. Telegraph office were approved subject to full plans being deposited in accordance with By-Law.
Sgd Alex Bruce
Chairman
[Volume 9 page] 244
Moved by Alderman Bruce.
Seconded by “ Grant,
That the report be adopted.
Carried.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee meet on Friday, August 11th 1899.
Present Aldermen McQueen, Gilmour, Brown, and Wood.
The following accounts were recommended for payment:
| Tax Collector | Supplies | $4.02 |
| Telephone Co. | Rents | 41.50 |
| The Province | Ads | 9.40 |
| Mc Rae Bros. | Hack | 10.00 |
| Clarke & Stuart | Supplies | 20.77 |
| F. A. Lee | Hack | 5.00 |
| Trythall & Co. | Supplies | 4.00 |
| The World P & P Co. | Ads | 9.94 |
| Robt. Ward & Co. | Insurance | 4.80 |
| News Advertiser | Ads | 10.55 |
The following contracts were approved and authorized to be signed by the Mayor and City Clerk and the Corporate Seal affixed thereto:-
Contract with Messrs. Rannie, Campbell & Co. for block paving Cordova St E and Westminster Av.
Contract with Campbell Rannie & Co. for macadamizing Nicola St.
New Contract with the Electric Light Co. for lighting the streets all the year around at 25 ½ ct per light per night.
Communications
From W. H. Maclean, Deputy Attorney General refusing to pay an account tendered by F. A. Lee for taking Mrs. John Doyle a lunatic to New Westminster.
Referred to the City Solicitor.
From the Deputy Commissioner of Lands and Works quoting terms on cemetery site.
Laid over.
[Volume 9 page] 245
From W. C. Harrison Secretary of the Trades and Labor council asking for the appointment of a Building Inspector.
Consideration deferred until a By-Law is introduced regulating the erection of buildings, fences etc now in the hands of the City Engineer.
A man named Brusatori made application for transportation to Montreal to be treated for an injured arm.
Left in the hands of the Chairman to examine into his case and report.
Sgd
James McQueen
Chairman
Moved by Alderman McQueen.
Seconded by “ Gilmour,
That the report be adopted.
Carried.
Motions
Moved by Alderman Gilmour.
Seconded by “ McQueen,
That the City Engineer repair the pavement on Granville, Cambie, Cordova, Hastings and Carrall Streets and charge proportion of cost to the B. C. Elec Ry Co. and that the said company be notified to that effect.
Carried.
Moved by Alderman McPhaiden.
Seconded by “ McQueen,
That Alderman Brown act on Alderman Foreman’s Committees during the latter’s absence.
Carried.
Moved by Alderman Bruce.
Seconded by “ Grant,
That Alderman McQueen act on Alderman Skinner’s Committees during his absence.
Carried.
Moved by Alderman Gilmour.
Seconded by “ McQueen,
That the City Clerk be instructed to write to the Provincial Government of of-
[Volume 9 page] 246
fering their free water for the Court House grounds provided a suitable fountain is erected thereon.
Carried.
Moved by Alderman Gilmour.
Seconded by “ Wood,
That a special meeting of the Council be called to consider applications for increases of Salaries.
Moved in amendment by Alderman Brown.
Seconded by Alderman McGuigan,
That the applications be referred to the incoming Council.
Amendment carried, motion lost.
The Council then adjourned.
James F. Garden.
Mayor.
ThP F. McGuigan.
City Clerk.
