After a deciding vote cast by the Mayor, J. G. Jonah was appointed Engineer for the Fire Department. Responding to a request that St. Paul’s hospital be exempt from taxation, Council replied that they had no power to waive taxes.
This transcript was made in 2021 by Transcribimus volunteer Anonymous
Original handwritten minutes: City of Vancouver Archives
Series 31 Volume 6 pages 890 – 898
To see or download images of the handwritten minutes for this date, click on the buttons below (3 parts)
[Volume 6 page] 890
Vancouver December 16th 1895
The Council met on Monday, December 16th 1895. Present His Worship, the Mayor and Aldermen Shaw, Coupland, Queen, Gallagher, McPhaiden, Clandenning, Brown, Sanders, Bethune and McDonald.
The minutes of last meeting were read and adopted.
Communications
From Mrs McLuckie stating that she was the owner of Lots One and Two, Block 48.D.L.181 instead of the Improvement Co.
Moved by Alderman Brown
Seconded by ” Bethune
That the letter of Mrs. McLuckie be referred to Mr Sulley, Agent to the Vancouver Improvement Company for explanation and that he be requested to make satisfactory arrangements with the owners of Lots 1 + 2. Block 48.D.L. 181 before Monday the 23rd inst and that in the event of Mrs McLuckie and Mr Sulley not coming to an agreement the Council will consider as to withdrawing the By-Law.
Carried
From Thos. O. Allen, etal on behalf of the Licenses Victuallers, asking for the readjustment of the Liquor Licenses.
Moved by Alderman Shaw.
Seconded by ” McPhaiden.
That the resolution passed by the Licensed Victuallers at their last meeting re lowering their licenses be recommended to the favorable consideration of the incoming Council.
Carried
[Volume 6 page] 891
From A. L. St. George, asking the Council to appoint a Committee to examine the minutes of the School Board.
Laid over for one week on motion of Alderman Brown
seconded by Alderman Gallagher.
From the Chief of Police reporting on the electric lights.
Filed.
From W.H. Walsh etal, drawing attention to the deplorable state of the Trades License By-Law.
Referred to the Fire, Market + Police Committee
From Rev. Father Emmelin etal asking for a street light on the corner of Dunsmuir and Richards Streets.
Referred to the Water + Light Committee
From Thos. Stewart complaining that his fence was knocked out of line by filling at Fire Hall No. 2.
Referred to the Fire, Market + Police Committee
From Geo. E. Kyle etal, asking that 8th Av be opened up
Referred to the Board of Works.
From A. W. Scoullar claiming that $218.30 was due him from the City and asking for a cheque for same.
Referred to the Finance Committee.
The following Reports were received and read:=
Fire, Market + Police Committee
The Fire, Market + Police Committee met on Friday Dec 11th + Monday Dec 16th 1895.
Present the full Board.
The following accounts were recommended for payment:-
Thos. Dunn + co. Supplies $6.21
{Volume 6 page] 892
From Webster Bros. etal asking for the settlement of their claims on the Reservoir.
Referred to the Water + Light Committee
From the Free Library asking for the balance of their appropriation.
Referred to the Finance Committee
The following Reports were received and read:-
Fire, Market + Police Committee
The Fire, Market + Police Committee met on Friday Dec 11th and Monday Dec 16th 1895.
Present the full Board.
The following accounts were recommended for payment:-
Thos. Dunn + co. Supplies $6.21
[Volume 6 page] 892
A. E. Lees + co. Supplies $22.50
G. L. Allen ” 25.50
C. Nelson ” 23.38
R. Robinson ” 22.33
Thos. Dunn + co. ” 2.64
do ” .98
News.Advertiser ads 2.70
Lee + Stewart Hack 1.00
R. Clark Supplies 4.00
S. James Interpreting 2.00
Crowder + Penzer Supplies 157.03
Cassady + Co ” 157.03
G. S. McConnell ” 22.
J. C. Woodrow ” 18.10
A. Blayney ” 9.
J. Dodson ” 11.25
G. L. Allan ” 11.00
C. F. Foreman ” 31.31
Clarke + Stuart ” .90
C. S. Philp ” 5.30
E. Gardner Interpreting 10.00
News.Advertiser Supplies 13.50
McLeod + Cook ” 28.
Cassady + co. ” 7.90
C. F. Foreman ” 5.95
C. Nelson ” 1.00
City Treas. Fares 8.50
R. Robertson Supplies 1.50
J. Muller etal. Labor 11.50
Communications
From Wm Ward reporting the party threw the papers on the street which frgliheined Mrs. Cassady’s house.
Laid over.
From Leatherdale + co offering to take dead bodies for the morgue for 50 cts and injured persons
[Volume 6 page] 893
to the hospital for the same price.
Resolved that their offer be accepted.
The applications received for engineer were referred to the Council.
From W. B. Ross asking the Committee to prevent the police from persecuting him.
Resolved that the Chief of Police be instructed to ask Officer Butler to make a report on the matter.
We beg to report that on October 7th Messrs McLaren Haywood and McLeod were instructed to turn in the uniforms and equipment belonging to the City to the Chief of Police, and that no returns have been made up to date.
We beg to report that Mr. Hamersley has not made the contract for hiring of the Police according to the instructions of Council.
From the Gutta Percha and Rubber Mfg Co asking payment for their hose.
Resolved that they be paid when the forward 200 feet of hose as promised.
From the City Engineer reporting on the fire escapes necessary for the Funn Hall.
Referred back for further explanations.
From J. H. Carlisle stating that a building belonging to R. Barker on Granville Street burnt on Oct 16th was not dangerous at present but might be when the cold weather came on.
Laid over.
From the Pound Keeper furnishing monthly report.
Referred to the Auditor
From W. H. Bullock Webster, Provincial Police enclosing account for $9.70 for searching for and bringing back a boat.
[Volume 6 page] 894
Resolved that J. J. Gavin be required to pay rent for the goods stored in the Market Hall or remove same on or before Dec 23rd 1895.
Resolved that Wm Murphy be notified to complete his contract.
Resolved that the words “completed by Christmas” be struck out of the contract of Hunt + Murray.
Sgd W. H. Gallagher
Chairman
Moved by Alderman Coupland,
Seconded by ” McPhaiden
That the Report be adopted.
Carried
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee met on Friday December 13th 1895.
Present the full Board.
The following account was recommended for payment:-
Crowder + Penzer, Coal $45.06
Communications
From the Local Council of Women, asking the Council to exempt the St. Paul’s Hospital from taxation
Resolved that they be informed that the present Council has no power to take off taxes.
From A. G. Ferguson, Chairman of the Park Commissioners asking for a grant of $150 to pay wages etc up to Dec 31st 1895.
Resolved that his request be granted.
From the Presidents of the Nationalists and the trades + Labor council asking for further reduction on improvements etc.
Laid over for further consideration.
From W. E. Johnstone reporting that a house and shack were built on the foot of Chilco Street on English Bay.
[Volume 6 page] 895
Resolved that he be instructed to notify the owners to have them removed.
From the Trades + Labor Council asking the Council to oppose the granting of any Foreshore rights to private individuals.
Resolved that they be informed that a Committee has been appointed to look after the matter.
Resolved that J. L. Brown be required to give a bond to the amount of $1000 in a Guarantee [?] or two sureties of $500 each.
Sgd. Alex Bethune
Chairman
Moved by Alderman Bethune
Seconded by ” Coupland
That the Report be adopted.
Carried
Water + Light Committee
The Water + Light Committee met on Wednesday Dec 11th 1895.
Present Aldermen Brown, Bethune, Coupland and Gallagher.
Communication from Mark Gosse etal asking for a street light on the corner of Lore and Manitoba Streets.
Will be granted when the new lights are placed.
The following accounts were recommended for payment:-
W. H. Armstrong Supplies $67.50
Crowder + Penzer ” 28.60
Van Gas Co. ” 2.00
Evans Coleman + Evans ” 3.
Thos. Dunn + co ” 80.03
C. M. Hawley Repairs 3.73
Can Genl Elec Co. Supplies .42
John Boyd + co. ” 1.32
C. F. Foreman ” 3.18
[Volume 6 page] 896
Clarke + Stuart Supplies $7.05
Can Ry + L. Co. ” 1615.46
Van City Iron Works Co. ” 19.25
W. Hooper etal. Labor 754.75
sgd. Wm. Brown
Chairman
Moved by Alderman Brown
Seconded by ” Bethune
That the Report be adopted
Carried
The following applications were received for engineer for the Fire Department:-
Herbert Williams, John Kelly, J. G. Jonah, D. R. Biggar, E. T. McGuire, G. Anderson, J. Harrobin, A Moorcraft, Henry Bennet, Wm. Moscrop, Geo Moore, H. S. Barton, J. D. McGinnis + John Smith.
The council proceeded for ballot for appointment.
After a number were taken it was found that J. G. Jonah received 5 and E. T. McGuire 5.
They Mayor gave his casting vote in favor of J. G. Jonah.
It was moved by Alderman Coupland
Seconded by Alderman gallagher,
That J. G. Jonah be appointed Engineer at a salary of $60.00 per month.
Carried.
Motions
Moved by Alderman Brown
Seconded by ” McPhaiden
That the litigation in connection with the By-Law re the City putting in their own electric light plant be dropped and not carried to any higher court.
Motion withdrawn
Moved by Alderman Bethune
Seconded by ” Gallagher
That the resolution granting the Vancouver Poultry and Pet Stock Association the use of the Market Hall on the 7th 8th 9th + 10th of January 1896 be rescinded.
Carried
Moved by Alderman Clandenning
Seconded by ” Shaw
That the Poultry and Pet stock Association be granted $25.00 and the use of the Market shed for holding their exhibition on the 7th 8th 9th and 10th of January 1896.
Carried.
Aldermen Bethune, Gallagher and Queen were appointed to represent the Council on the Civic Relief Board, the two former volunteered to act.
Notice of Motion
Alderman Shaw gave notice that in order to save expense and liquidation to the City hereafter and to give the people confidence that any Act of the City Council of 1896 will not be illegal by reason of the Alderman being disqualified, he would move that the Treasurer report to the Council after the 2nd of January
[Volume 6 page 898]
if any candidate for the office of Alderman has not for one month next preceding they day of nomination been the registered owner in fee simple in the Land Registry Office, Real Estate in the ward for which he is nominated of the assessed value over and above all charges fines and encumbrances affecting the same to the value of $500 or has been the registered owner for three months next proceeding the day of nomination of leasehold property for the term of three years to the assessed value of $3000 in the Ward for which he is nominated.
The Board then adjourned.
Henry Collins
Mayor
Thos. F. McGuigan
City Clerk
