Council supported in principle Captain Edwards and Frank Richards’ request for exemption from taxation of certain proposed wharves, buildings etc and free water for a term of 20 years, provided they establish steamer service as they propose. Board of Works received a letter from Wong Leong & Co, asking permission to erect a small corrugated iron building for a cool house in the rear of their store at 20 Dupont St. Photo shows the south side of Dupont St. in 1907.
This transcript was made in 2023 by Transcribimus volunteer Joanne McCormick
Illustration: CVA 1376-506
South side Unit Block Dupont Street (E. Pender) c1907
Source: City of Vancouver Archives Series 31
Volume 8 pages 546 – 553
Vancouver November 21st 1898
The Council met on Monday November 21st 1898
Present: His Worship the Mayor and Aldermen Townley, Painter, McQueen, Neelands, McPhaiden, McGuigan, Brown, Foreman, McMorran and Bruce.
The Minutes of last meetings were read and adopted.
Communications
From Chief of Police reporting on the Electric Lights.
Filed.
From J. Buntzen, Manager of the BC Electric Co, asking for the consideration of a petition signed by a large number of citizens praying that a street car service be inaugurated on Davie Street to Denman Street.
Referred to the Board of Works.
From Oppenheimer BrP. stating that they had appointed Wm Farrell as their arbitrator on expropriation of corner of Carrall and Alexander Streets and asking the date of meeting.
Referred to the Finance Committee.
From Bowser and Christie, threatening suit on behalf of Miss Alvina Grimon for alleged injuries to her by street car.
Referred to the City Solicitor.
From Frank Matthias and Geo Thorpe applying for positions on the police force.
Referred to the Police Committee.
From J.C. Dixon, Secretary of the Poultry and Pet Stock Association, asking for the use of the Market Shed, from December 20th to the 23rd.
Referred to the Market Committee.
From William Foster, complaining of a ….
[Volume 8 page] 547
… nuisance on lot 25, block 34. DL 185.
Referred to the Board of Works.
From F. Gourdeau, Deputy Minister of Marine, stating that additional dolphins were not required in the Narrows.
Filed.
From J. Buntzen, Manager of the BC Electric Co. for reconsideration of the question of the payment of the interest on the rails laid on Hastings Street between Carroll and Cambie Streets.
Referred to the Finance Committee.
From the City Solicitor stating that the City had power to construct sewers under the Local Improvement System.
Filed.
From B.H. Short of Hornby Street Baptist Sunday School complaining of annoyance from small boys.
Referred to the Police Committee.
From J.A. Lester, Secretary Fireman’s Benefit Association, asking for help from the Council.
Refer to the Light Committee.
From Dr Poole asking pay for attending professionally one Griffiths who was hurt in the service of the City.
Referred to the Finance Committee.
From N.S. Consul asking for regular reports on the City’s Health.
Referred to the Health Committee.
[Volume 8 page] 548
The following reports were received and read:-
Board of Works
The Board of Works met on November 17th, 1898.
Present: the full Board.
Mr. Dalton, Architect, submitted plans for brick store one story front to be erected on Cordova St. for Hope. Graveley and Co., also amended plan for the BC Electric Ry Co’s building, corner of Hastings and Carrall Streets.
Both plans approved being found to comply with requirements of Fire Limit By-Law.
Alderman Bruce interviewed the board re the condition of Westminster Avenue and Westminster Road.
He was informed that it would be rocked as soon as there is rock to do it with.
From Robertson BrP., asking for new sidewalk in front of new DeBeck building Hastings St.
Resolved that a new single dressed sidewalk be laid as requested. Same to be carried down as far as the Imperial Bank.
From Wong Leong & Co, asking permission to erect a small corrugated iron building for a cool house in the rear of their store at 20 Dupont St.
Referred to the Engineer and Health Inspector.
From G A. Fair asking for improvements on Denman St.
Resolved that he be informed that the street will be opened in due course.
From the City Solicitor reporting on the matter of Willimon vs City of Vancouver.
Filed for reference.
From the City Clerk, regarding the question preventing Chinese from erecting shacks south of Dupont St. lane.
Resolved that the clerk …..
[Volume 8 page] 549
… write to the Harbor Master, asking him to have all buildings south of the said lane removed.
From A. Gillespie asking for the work of pruning his overhanging sidewalks.
Referred to the City Engineer for attention to put on a man to see to this.
The following accounts were recommended for payment:
| Mining Critic | Supplies | $2.50 |
| H. Kersey | Work | 5.00 |
| J. Stark | Supplies | 3.50 |
| B.C. Mills | Supplies | 10.07 |
The board then adjourned until 3PM on Friday the 25th inst. owing to next Thursday being Thanksgiving Day.
Sgd H.J. Painter
Chairman
Moved by Alderman Painter.
Seconded by Alderman McMorran.
That the Report be adopted.
Carried.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee met on Friday, November 18th, 1898.
Present the full Board.
The following accounts were recommended for payment:
| The Post Master | Post Cards | $35.00 |
| W.A. Cumyow | Interpreting | 5.00 |
| City Gov’t Publishing Co. | Paper | 6.06 |
Communications
From Armstrong and Morrison, submitting the names of ThP. Dunn and James Clandenning as sureties on contract for supplying street caissons for Granville Street Bridge.
Resolved that the sureties be accepted.
[Volume 8 page] 550
From Messrs. Davis, Marshall and MacNeill on behalf of Captain Edwards and Mr. Frank Richards, the promoters of the proposed Company to be formed for puttng in a line of steamers running North and South from Vancouver.
They asked for free water, exemption from taxes, etc
Referred to the Council.
Resolved that 200 copies of the new Rules & Regulations of the City Hospital be printed in pamphlet form. Also 500 tally sheets.
Resolved that the BC Electric Co be required to pay interest on the cost of rails laid on Hastings Street between Cambie and Carrall Streets from April 30th 1895 to the 15th of December 1898, as provided by Agreement between said Company and the Corporation.
Sgd. Jas McQueen
Chairman
Moved by Alderman McQueen.
Seconded by Alderman Painter
That the Clause in reference to Hastings Street rails be laid over for reconsideration and that the balance of the report be adopted.
Carried.
Health Committee
The Health Committee met on Wednesday, November 16th, 1898.
Present Alderman, McGuigan, McQueen and Bruce.
The following accounts were recommended for payment:
| Champion & White | Scavengering | $3.50 |
| Mining Critic | Supplies | 1.80 |
| Cleeve Canning Co. | Supplies | 6.40 |
| H. Kersey | Scavengering | 5.75 |
| Thorpe & Co | Supplies | 1.50 |
| David Reith | Drayage | 3.00 |
[Volume 8 page] 551
| Valley Dairy Co. | Supplies | $211.00 |
| F.A. Lee | Hack hire | 3.50 |
| Crowder & Penzer | Supplies | 73.68 |
| Wm. Ralph | Supplies | 50.75 |
| Geo Calder | Carpentering | 161.70 |
| City Grocery Co. | Supplies | 90.19 |
| Weeks & Robson | Supplies | 18.00 |
| Clarke & Stuart | Supplies | 7.93 |
| Dominion Fish Co. | Supplies | 25.10 |
The monthly Report for October from the City Hospital was received and filed.
Sgd W.J. McGuigan
Chairman
Moved by Alderman McGuigan.
Seconded by Alderman Foreman.
That the report be adopted.
Carried.
Motions
Moved by Alderman Townley.
Seconded by Alderman McGuigan.
That the Officer Commanding the 2nd Battalion 5th Regiment, C.A. {Canadian Artillery} be permitted to sell the old band instruments belonging to the City, and at present used by the Battalion Band upon the following conditions:
1. That the sum realized by such sale shall be applied towards the purchase of new instruments.
2. That the City shall have a lien upon such new instruments to the amount of the sum so realized.
Carried.
Moved by Alderman Painter.
Seconded by Alderman Townley.
That the tender of Mowatt & Kerr for construction of sewers in the District Lot 185 be accepted, provided that the pipe to be supplied is satisfactory to the City Engineer.
Carried.
[Volume 8 page] 552
Moved by Alderman Bruce.
Seconded by Alderman McPhaiden.
That the Council of the City of Vancouver apply immediately to the Marine and Fisheries Department of the Dominion of Canada for the right to the foreshore from the east side of Heatley Avenue produced northerly on the line of the street, westerly to the most easterly point of the Hastings Mill site, shown on the original map about 400 feet more or less.
Carried.
Moved by Alderman McQueen.
Seconded by Alderman Painter.
That in laying over for further consideration the request of Captain Edwards and Frank Richards for exemption from taxation of certain proposed wharves, buildings etc and free water for a term of 20 years, the Council desires to express its approval of the objects of the company and commends them to the favorable consideration of the citizens.
And further that the Council will support the application of the Company for any reasonable grant from the Dominion and the Provincial Government in aid of the purposes of the Company.
Carried.
Consideration of By-Laws
Moved by Alderman Painter.
Seconded by Alderman McPhaiden.
That the By-Law to change the name of Oppenheimer Avenue {back} to Carl Avenue be read a second time.
Carried.
Moved by Alderman Painter.
Seconded by Alderman Foreman.
That the By-Law to raised $10,000 for sewerage purposes in District Lot 185 be read a second time.
Carried
[Volume 8 page] 553
The Council went into Committee of the Whole for the consideration of both By-Laws, with Alderman Brown in the Chair. They were read over clause by clause, and reported to Council as complete without amendment.
Moved by Alderman Painter.
Seconded by Alderman McMorran.
That the By-Laws be read a third time and be signed by the Mayor and City Clerk and the Corporate Seal affixed thereto.
Carried.
The Council then adjourned to meet on Tuesday at 10 AM to consider amendments to City Charter.
James F. Garden
Mayor
Thp. F. McGuigan
City Clerk
Note
Comments in parenthesis { } denote further illumination provided by the writer and from The Vancouver Daily News Advertiser; City Council, November 22 1898, pg 5
