THE GLOBAL CIVIC POLICY SOCIETYdocuments of early Vancouver and beyond
Vancouver City Council minutes from 1886, transcribed by community volunteers and made freely available to the public through Transcribimus, a community project founded by Sam Sullivan and the Global Civic Policy Society
In order to pay off all debt approved by Council in 1886, certificates of indebtedness to be issued in order of approval. Certificates will bear 10 per cent interest per year. Votes of thanks were made to the Mayor, to Alderman E.P. Hamilton, and to the Press.
Many additional accounts reviewed and approved for payment. Two By-Laws passed for the improvement of Powell and Cambie Streets.
John Clough (Vancouver’s infamous one-armed jailer) to be paid $20 for past services, and a salary of $5 per month in future. City Engineer granted $200 bonus in compensation for much extra work “thrown on his shoulders” during the year. A great many accounts reviewed and approved for payment before year end.
At the request of the Rev. Father Fay of Holy Rosary Cathedral, thirty dollars granted toward building a sidewalk along Richards Street from Hastings to Dunsmuir. The parish to supply blocking, nails and labour.
Monthly use of City Hall granted for sessions of County Court at a rate of $5.00 per day plus a charge of $2.00 per day for an attending police officer. By-Laws approved to raise money for additional improvements to Hastings and Oppenheimer Streets.
Special Meeting to receive the Board of Works and Finance Committee reports, and to pass a By-Law fixing the polling places and appoint Deputy Returning Officers for Election of a Mayor and Aldermen for 1887. McKenzie and Ross awarded contract for laying sidewalk on Westminster Avenue (now Main Street) at a cost of 3 cents per foot.
The Finance Committee reported purchase of “12 Arm Chairs, one Long Table for Council Chambers, one hanging lamp, 4 green holland blinds, 1 ton of Coal, Coal scuttle and shovel, 2 nests of pigeon holes for the City Clerk and Treasurer’s offices.” (The long table is still on display at the Hastings Mill Museum.)
Tait & Co allowed to rent space behind Fire Hall for Carriage House at a cost of $12.50 per month. Fire Engineer allowed $100 to build a small dwelling behind Fire Hall. Fire Hall allowed to be rented to Lodges and other “suitable” groups.
Building of City Hall complete; contractor F. W. Sentell to be paid in full. Thos. H. Boyd awarded contract for improvement of Cambie Street. “On account of the large amount of street work contracted for”, Civil Engineer D.L. McCammon appointed Streets Inspector at a per diem rate of $1.50 for a minimum of three hours’ work supervising road construction.
David Oppenheimer’s company will continue to develop the wharf at the North End of Carrall Street and will eventually “convey” it to the City of Vancouver. Letter received from Chief Justice Sir Matthew Begbie declining to hold a Court of Appeal on the Voters List.