Budget for library increased to $125 per month from $60. A Committee of four Aldermen and the Mayor find a site and develop a building suitable for a Reading Room, Library, Museum, and Lecture Room. Plan No 3 for Hastings Park Race Track was approved; the City Clerk to call for tenders to clear 15 acres for the grounds. A new By-Law regulating street numbering was declared complete.
This transcript was made in 2015 by Transcribimus volunteer Chris Stephenson
and sponsored by Arnold Silber
original handwritten minutes here
City of Vancouver Archives
Series 23-A Volume 4 pg 133-145
Vancouver Dec. 1st 1890
The Council met on Monday December 1st, 1890.
Present Aldermen Browning, Carroll, Horne, Garden, Fox, Sentell, Costello, McLeod, Mason, and Doering.
Alderman Garden was appointed Chairman in the absence of the Mayor.
The Minutes of last meeting were read and adopted.
Communications.
From the Chief of Police furnishing account of street lights for the week ending Nov. 29th.
Filed
From H. Abbott returning cheque for witness fees.
Filed.
From S. O. Richards asking for a cheque of $400.00 for Scuitto Corner.
Finance
From Dept Atty General enclosing an order from Justice Drake re entries in police book.
Police.
From Wm. Cargill, Secy Jockey Club, asking Council to have a lease for the Jockey Club grounds prepared under By-Law No. 91.
Filed.
From John Irving President of Vancouver Water Works Co. replying to resolution of Council of the 25th inst. re purchase of their works.
Water Works Com.
From C.M. Fowler furnishing monthly report of animals impounded.
Filed.
Reports.
F.W. & L. No 15
The Fire, Water & Light Committee met on Wednesday November 26th 1890.
Present Aldermen Fox, McLeod, Carroll, and Garden.
It was resolved:-
1 That the following accounts be paid:-
Van Elec Ry & Light Co. Lights $991.69
Viaduct Mfg Co. 61.10
Tye & Co. 1.90
I. Forbes. Horse shoeing. 3.00
Van Gas Co. 23.00
Crowder & Penzer. Coal 124.12
Creighton, Fraser & Co. 2.25
J. Scuitto Supplies. 11.85
E.S. Scoullar & Co. “ 13.50
A. Godfrey & Co. “ 2.75
J.M. Buxton. Coal. 24.00
E.S. Scoullar & Co. 7.60
2 That the Chief of the Fire Brigade be authorized to purchase two bed steads, mattrasses [sic] and six pair of blankets for Fire Hall No 2.
3 That the Van Elec Ry & Light Co be charged $2.00 each for lamp shades required by them.
4 That the resolution presented by the Underwriter’s Association be received and filed.
5 That the Chairman of the F.W. & L. Committee be instructed to examine and report upon the petition of A.E. Tregent etal re Street light on Nicola Street.
6 That the City Clerk be instructed to reply to the Vancouver Water Works Co re payment of 23 hydrants by referring them to former communications from Council on the subject.
7 That the Chief of the Fire Department be instructed to turn off the gas under the engine in Fire Hall No 1. during the wet season leaving him the option to turn it on when he considers it judicious.
8 That the account of the Vancouver Electric Railway and Light Co for October be passed for payment as certified to by the City Accountant but without prejudice to the Company or the City for the payment of lights during [unreadable] light nights up to date and further that the City Solicitor’s opinion be obtained as to the right of the claims preferred by the Company.
sgd J.M. Fox
Moved by Alderman Doering
Seconded by “ McLeod.
That the Report of the Fire, Water & Light Committee be adopted.
Carried.
Finance. No 29.
The Finance Committee met on Friday November 28th 1890.
Present Aldermen Browning, Fox, Garden, and Costello.
It was recommended:-
That the following accounts be paid:-
C.P. Telegraph Co. $7.50
Board of Works Committee
Market “
F.W.& L. “
Health “
Police “
2 That the Vancouver Free Reading Room and Library be granted $125.00 per month, being $60.00 in addition to the present monthly grant on condition that rooms to the satisfaction of the Council be secured.
3 The Committee having considered the report submitted to the Council by Messrs F.L. Carter-Cotton, and Chas. Whetham upon the Free Reading Room and Library beg to recommend that the incoming Council be requested to appoint a Committee of Seven to be composed of His Worship the Mayor, his Aldermen, and four Citizens, whose duty it shall be to assume the management of the present Free Reading Room and Library and at their earliest convenience prepare and submit to the Council a well matured scheme for the foundation of a Library and Institute and to consider the advisability of securing a site and erecting a suitable building for a reading room, library, museum and lecture room on a scale necessary and desirable for the City. The said Committee should be further requested to furnish an estimate of the costs and how the required amount should be raised.
sgd J.M. Browning
Chairman.
Moved by Alderman Browning
Seconded by “ Fox
That the Report of the Finance Committee be adopted.
Carried.
Health. No 16.
The Health Committee met on Monday Nov 25, 1890.
Present Aldermen Carroll, McLeod, and Fox.
It was recommended:-
1 That the following accounts be paid:-
W.J. Taylor. Burial $14.00
W.S. Cook. Scavengering. .50
W.J. McGuigan. Inquests etc. 25.00
U.S.S. Co. Rent. 7.50
Crowder & Penzer. Coal. 13.50
J. Scuitto. Supplies 75.00
Dr. Bell-Irving. Examinations 10.00
2 That the Health Inspector be instructed to furnish the City Solicitor with the names of witnesses required in the case of McMillan vs the City.
3 That the letter presented by the St. John’s Ambulance Association to the City be accepted with thanks, and placed at the City Hospital.
4 That the City Scavengers continue dumping in the usual place pending the erection of the Crematory.
sgd W.H. Mason.
Moved by Alderman McLeod
Seconded by “ Costello.
That the Report of the Health Committee be adopted.
Carried.
Exhibition Grounds Committee.
The Exhibition Grounds Committee met on Friday November 28th 1890.
Present His Worship, Mayor Oppenheimer and Aldermen Browning, Garden, and Costello on behalf of the Council, and Messrs. Cotton, Cargill, Black, Wilkinson, and Jordan on behalf of the Jockey Club.
A plan of Hastings Park showing the proposed Race Course was laid before the Committee, such plan being numbered 3.
It was resolved:-
That plan No 3, submitted by the City Engineer showing the proposed Race Course be accepted and that the City Clerk be instructed to call for tenders for the clearing etc of the grounds about 15 acres.
The members of the Jockey Club present also approved the plan.
sgd.
J.M. Browning
Chairman
Moved by Alderman Fox.
Seconded by “ Browning.
That the Report of the Committee be adopted.
Carried.
Police. No 12
The Police Committee met on Tuesday November 25th 1890.
Present Aldermen Costello, Carroll, and Sentell.
It was recommended:-
1 That the following accounts be paid:-
W.S. Cook. Scavengering $2.50
Creamer & Langley. Lining 1.00
Wm. Anderson. Interpreting 2.50
Geo. Peasley. Express Hire. 1.50
O.W. Ellison. Milk 1.80
W.J. Smith. Express hire. 1.50
J.H. Grady. Fares. 4.00
John McLaren “ 3.35
M.G. McLeod. Fares. 5.00
M. McLean “ 4.00
Henry Extence. Express Hire 1.25
F. Steele. “ “ .75
Wm. Murphy. Helmets. 27.15
Robert Clark. Overcoats. 91.00
John Scuitto Supplies. 64.66
Van Volkenburgh & Bro. “ 16.60
2 That the Chief of Police be instructed to strictly carry out the liquor by-law regarding Sunday closing and prevent the Chinese from working on the Sabbath day.
3 That the salaries of John J. Grady, Jos. Gibson and Thos. Crawford be increased to $70.00 per month on their completing a term of 12 mos. Service on the police force.
sgd M. Costello
Chairman
Moved by Alderman Sentell
Seconded by “ Carroll.
That the Report of the Police Committee be adopted.
Carried.
Market. No 5.
The Market Committee met on Friday November 28th 1890
Present Aldermen Garden and Costello.
It was recommended:-
1 That the following accounts be paid:-
Brown & White. Crash. $3.25
John Currell. Keys. 1.00
2 That the City Clerk be instructed to send the B.C. Cattle Co. who are fitting up a butcher shop on Carroll, a copy of Clause 7 of the Market By-Law bearing upon butchers.
3 That F.J. Painton be granted the Market Hall for Saturday the 27th of December, if he fails to secure the Imperial Opera House rental to be fixed at $35.00.
4 That the Market Hall be granted to the Vancouver Institute three nights a week, the Council reserving the right to use the hall for other purposes on giving one week’s notice.
5 That during those evenings on which the Vancouver Institute occupy the Market Hall that the said Institute be requested to supply their own caretaker to look after the fires, lights, and hall on those nights
6 That the Council give the Committee power to have constructed a water closet for the waiting rooms off the hall at a cost not to exceed $115.00.
sgd J.F. Garden
Chairman.
Moved by Alderman Costello.
Seconded by “ Sentell.
That the Report of the Market Committee be adopted.
Carried.
Works. No 33.
The Board of Works met on Thursday November 27th 1890.
Present Aldermen Horne, Browning, Costello, and Sentell.
It was recommended:-
1 That the City Engineer be instructed to examine and report upon the claim of J. Hogg for change of grade on Princess St.
2 That the communication from J.R. Foster claiming compensation for building a sidewalk on Pacific Street be referred to the City Solicitor.
3 That the City Engineer be instructed to notify the contractor at work grading on Princess St. to put in the required culvert to drain C. Mayne’s premises.
4 R.B.B. Johnson Communication
That the City Engineer be instructed to take all necessary steps without delay.
5 That the City Engineer be instructed to stop all gravelling contracts with the exception of ordinary work which may be absolutely necessary
6 That the City Engineer be authorized to engage A. Parker as Inspector for Alberni and Abbott Street Sewers at $75.00 per month until the completion of the work.
7 That the City Engineer be instructed to prepare an Estimate of the cost of draining the east End Park and call for tenders for the necessary work.
8 That the City Engineer call for tenders for a box drain on Cambie Street to connect with existing drain near Queen’s Stables.
9 That the City Engineer be instructed to have the sidewalk lumber now lying on Princess Street and supplied by H. Connacher laid on the North side of Harris Street between Dunlevy and Jackson Avs.
10 That the City Engineer be instructed to call for tenders for the grading of the lane through Block 51. 196.
11 That the following contracts be awarded:-
Nicola Street. Sidewalk. D. McDonald.
Pender & Jervis “ Angus Fraser.
12 That the City Engineer be instructed to authorized [sic] Mr. Waite, plasterer to go on with the work of plastering the Cemetery house.
13 That the following accounts be paid:-
McDonald & Barton. East End Park. $1071.00
H. Connacher. Basement drain. 46.65
“ Box drain. 145.11
Boyd & Clandenning Raymour St. 106.95
D.H. Morgan. Victoria St. 198.45
McDonald & Lloyd. Westminster Av. 337.51
Boyd & Clandenning. Smithe St. 377.94
do. Robson St. 439.75
O. Toole & Ralph. Sewer connections 23.10
Robertson Bros. “ 12.45
Queen Bros. Livery 4.00
Alex McDonald. Labor. 2.25
Thos. Dunn & Co. Hardware. 49.82
sgd. J.W. Horne
Chairman
Moved by Alderman Sentell
Seconded by “ Fox
That the Report of the Board of Works be adopted.
Carried.
Introduction of By-Laws.
Moved by Alderman Horne
Seconded by “ Fox.
That a By-Law be introduced to amend the Street numbering By-Law.
Carried.
The By-Law was introduced and read a first time.
Moved by Alderman Carroll
Seconded by “ Fox.
That a By-Law be introduced to amend the Fire Limit By-Law.
Carried.
The By-Law was introduced and read a first time.
Motions
Moved by Alderman Fox.
Seconded by “ McLeod.
That the following accounts in connection with the Electric Fire Alarm be paid:-
R.C.P. Mills Co. Cross Arms. $29.55
Van Elec Ry & Light Co. Pins etc. 24.70
McDonald Bros. Express Hire 12.50
Geo. Dickey et al. Labor. 237.15
Carried.
Moved by Alderman McLeod.
Seconded by “ Fox.
That the following F.W. & L account be paid:-
Van Elec Ry & Light Co. Street Lights etc $1156.13
Carried.
Moved by Alderman Horne.
Seconded by “ Browning.
That the following labor accounts be paid:-
B. Romang etal. $161.25
Carried.
Moved by Alderman Browning
Seconded by “ Costello.
That the Vancouver Water Works Co having by a communication dated 19th November agreed to accept the conditions upon which the City proposes to acquire their system of water works as set forth in letter addressed to the said Company on the 11th November. Be it resolved that a committee composed of His Worship the Mayor, Aldermen Carroll and Garden and the mover and seconder be and are hereby authorized to have a formal agreement executed in accordance with the terms of said letter, at the earliest possible date; the agreement to provide for the arbitration being commenced not later than the 15th January next.
Carried.
Moved by Alderman Sentell
Seconded by “ Fox.
That the Board of Works call for tenders to have the hill on Hastings Street between Jackson Av and Carrall Av cut down according to profile of City Engineer.
6.3. Carried
Moved by Alderman Fox
Seconded by “ Doering.
That having examined the locality mentioned in the petition of Mr. Tregent etal that an electric light of 2000 candle power be placed on the corner of Nicola and Robson Streets
S.2. Carried
Moved by Alderman McLeod
Seconded by “ Fox.
That A. G. Evans of Fire Hall No 2. Be granted one month’s leave of absence
Carried.
Moved by Alderman Costello.
Seconded by “ Browning.
“That the City Clerk be instructed to communicate with the original owners or property in District Lots 200 a, 264 A, 301 & 302 with a view to getting the lanes in said District Lots handed over to the City so that they can be registered as public through fares.
Carried.
Moved by Alderman Browning
Seconded by “ Doering.
That the sidewalk that has been taken up on Westminster Avenue between Sixth and 8th Avenues be replaced on Ninth Avenue between Westminster Avenue and Quebec St.
Carried.
Consideration of By-Laws.
Moved by Alderman McLeod.
Seconded by “ Fox.
That the amendments to the Market By-Law be read a second time.
Carried.
The By-Law was accordingly read a Second time.
The Council then went into Committee of the Whole with Alderman McLeod in the Chair.
The By-Law was read over clause by clause and reported back to Council as complete.
Moved by Alderman Horne
Seconded by “ Fox.
That the amendments to the street numbering By-Law be read a 2nd time.
Carried.
The By-Law was accordingly read a second time after which the Council went into Committee of the Whole with Alderman Horne in the Chair.
The By-Law was read over clause by clause & reported to Council as complete.
The Council then adjourned.
D. Oppenheimer
Mayor
Thos. F. McGuigan
City Clerk