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.
This transcript was made in 2013 by Transcribimus volunteer
Darrin Pezer/Proactive Building Maintenance
original handwritten minutes here
City of Vancouver Archives
Series 23-A Volume 1 pages 186-191
Vancouver December 20th 1886
A Regular Meeting of Council was held on Monday December 20th 1886 at 7.30.P.M.
Present His Worship Mayor MacLean presiding, Aldermen Balfour, Dunn, Griffith, Humphries, E.P. Hamilton, L.A. Hamilton and Northcott.
The Minutes of last meeting were read and adopted.
Communications
From R.R. Giltner asking the privilege of erecting poles for electric light purposes on the Streets and alleys of the City of Vancouver.
Request granted on motion of Alderman Balfour seconded by Alderman Northcott.
From Robert Couth and others calling the attention of Council to the condition of the road on the South Side of False Creek Bridge.
Referred to the Board of Works with power to act on motion of Alderman Balfour seconded by Alderman E.P. Hamilton.
From John P. Lawson, City Engineer calling attention to the condition of the water ways at the foot of Cambie Street.
Referred to the Board of Works.
From Thos. C. Sorby asking permission to lift the planking on Cordova Street for the purpose of digging a drain under said street. Filed.
From A.J. Alpert conveying the congratulation of the City Council of New Westminster to the Mayor and Council elect of this City.
From J.L. Quackenbush calling attention of the Council to the adulteration of milk sold in the City and praying for the passage of a by-law to prevent such adulteration.
Laid on the table.
From W. Norman Bole re the cutting of trees by Mr. Patterson on 200 A.
Laid on the table.
From John D. Ronald informing the Council that he had completed the Silver Plate for the Fire Engine etc.
From Jas. Cooper Keith acknowledging receipt of General Debentures and Fire Engine Debentures.
From Jas. B. Kennedy Secretary of the Meeting of the property owners on Westminster Avenue, held to consider the best plans for the improvement of said Avenue giving the Minutes of said Meeting.
Referred to the Board of Works with power to act fully in the matter.
Accounts.
J.B. Thornton, 3 Brooms $1.95 Health Committee
J.P. Lawson, Surveying Cemetery 10.00 B. of Works
Daily News, printing 27.20 Finance
R. City Planning Mills Corp 110.95 B. of Works
Moodyville Saw Mill Corp 94.20 B. of Works
Jacob Sehl, Furniture 52.30 Finance
J. McEwen, teaming 2.50 F.W.L.
Monetary Times, Ad. 10.50 Finance
S.T. Tilley, Stationery 26.40 Finance
J. Vair, Store etc. 65.37 F.W.L.
J.B. McKin, Extras 33.00 B. of Works
Thos. Dunn & Co 1.75 Health
Thos. Dunn & Co 4.00 B. of Works
Thos. Dunn & Co 56.77 F.W.L.
Thos. Dunn & Co 9.25 Police
Ed Sanders 5.00 Finance
J.B. Thornton, foods 13.65 Health
J.M. Spinks, Election 18.00 Finance
F.W. Hart, Furniture 66.40 Finance
Geo. P. Kelley, Rent 30.00 Finance
Robert Couth, Coal 28.00 F.W.L.
Thomson Bros., Stationery 5.40 Finance
McKenzie & Ross 85.50 B. of Works
Lye & Co., Nails etc 38.86 B. of Works
Lye & Co., Handcuffs etc 74.00 Police
Lye & Co., Sash line etc 27.13 B. of Works
H. A. Berry, Teaming 4.50 Finance
E.S. Scoullar & Co, Store 23.12 Finance
A.D. McKenzie, Bill 15.00 F.W.L.
W.S. Cook, Fixing Road 5.00 B. of Works
Abrams & Co, Furniture 182.68 Health
W. Ashford, Milk 14.40 Health
H. McDowell, Medicine 49.15 Health
Owen Hughes, Washing 2.75 Health
Moodyville Saw Mill Corp 30.00 B. of Works
Reports
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee met on Friday December 10th 1886 at 2 p.m.
The following accounts were recommended to be paid.
Vancouver Daily News 57.40
Geo Fisher, Making Ballot Boxes 25.00
John McGregor, Coal Oil etc 10.25
Vancouver Herald 43.50
Robert Couth, Coal 8.75
Telegraph 12.65
The Communication of John Clough re remuneration for past services in connection with the City Hall and attendance on prisoners was considered.
We recommend that he be allowed twenty dollars for the work he has already done and five dollars a month for future services the Chief of Police to have control of the funds and expend it for the benefit of the said John Clough.
Your Committee have waited upon Mr. Keith Manager of the Bank of British Columbia and have succeeded in borrowing seven thousand dollars on the security of our General debentures, twenty four hundred and ninety five dollars of which goes towards paying off the former loan the balance to be placed to the Credit of the City.
Sd Thos. Dunn, Chairman
Report adopted on Motion of Alderman Balfour seconded by Alderman Northcott.
Board of Works.
Board of Works met on Tuesday November 30th 1886 at 4 p.m.
The account of Queen Bros. amounting to $39.50 for general teaming we have considered and recommend its payment.
In accordance with the wishes of Council we have authorized the purchase of 5000 feet of plank for laying a 2 foot sidewalk on the South Side of False Creek Bridge, and also 1000 feet additional plank to complete the present plank-way under construction to False Creek Bridge.
We have also purchased 3300 feet of planking for the construction of a sidewalk from Hastings Street to Dunsmuir Street along Richards Street.
The City Clerk has been instructed to call for tenders for the improvement of Abbott Street between Water Street and Hastings Street.
The Board met again on Saturday December 4th 1886 at 2. p.m. to open the Tenders for Abbott Street.
The following were received.
J.B. McKin
Grubbing and grading per L. ft 70c
Sidewalks per L. ft 33c
Planking placed in Streets B.M. $13.75
McDonald and Cameron
Grubbing and Grading per L. ft 37 1/2c
Sidewalks per running ft 33c
Planking placed in Streets B.M. 15.00
Box culverts per L. ft 27 1/2c
Stephenson & McCraney
Street planking per B.M. $15.75
10 ft sidewalks per L. ft 48c
Street grading & grubbing 1.40
26 ft culverts each 8.00
48 ft culverts each 15.00
We recommend to Council that the tender of J.B. McKin be accepted his being the Lowest.
Mr. Lawson City Engineer has submitted an estimate to the Board showing that Mr. Harkins, Contractor on Powell Street has completed work on said Street to the amount of three thousand five hundred dollars and we would recommend that the Government be asked to advance the appropriation of one thousand dollars promised for said work.
sgd L.A. Hamilton
Chairman
Report adopted on motion of Alderman Dunn seconded by Alderman Northcott.
Police Commissioners
A Meeting of the Police Commissioners was held on Saturday December 4th 1886 at 10 A.M.
We ask for appropriation to meet the following proposed expenditure,
To Boarding prisoners in October $87.00
To Rent of Building for Police 21.00
To Teaming 1.00
To Cross Cut Saw 3.00
To Coal Oil 6.00
To Police Clothing & fittings 235.00
Total $353.00
In the matter of John Clough we would recommend that he be paid $20.00 for past services and five dollars per month for the future.
sd M.A. MacLean
Chairman
Moved by Alderman L.A. Hamilton seconded by Alderman E.P. Hamilton that the Report of the Police Commissioners be adopted and that the Treasurer be authorized to place the amount so called for to the credit of the Police Commissioners.
Carried.
By-Laws.
Moved by Alderman Balfour seconded by Alderman Humphries, “that a By-Law to provide for the erection of poles with cross arms and for stretching wires thereon throughout the public streets lanes and alleys of the City of Vancouver” be introduced and read a first time.
Carried.
Moved by Alderman L.A. Hamilton seconded by Alderman Balfour that a By-Law to raise $2000 by way of debentures for the improvement of Cambie Street be introduced and read for a first time.
Carried.
Motions
Moved by Alderman Dunn seconded by Alderman Northcott
that the City Clerk be instructed to call for all outstanding accounts to be sent in by the 25th with such advertisement to be inserted in the Daily News.
Carried.
Moved by Alderman L.A. Hamilton seconded by Alderman Balfour
that the City Clerk be directed to invite tenders forthwith for the printing of all blank work required for the year 1887 in accordance with section 164 of the City Charter. Carried.
Moved by Alderman L.A. Hamilton seconded by Alderman Balfour,
that the Board of Works be authorized to partition off part of the upper flat of the City Hall to provide offices for the Mayor, City Engineer and Assessment Commissioner.
Carried.
Moved by Alderman E.P. Hamilton seconded by Alderman Dunn,
that on account of the amount of work thrown on the shoulders of the City Engineer in excess of that contemplated at the time of his appointment it is considered that the salary paid to him has been not in keeping with the duties performed. Therefore be it resolved that an additional sum of two hundred dollars be paid to him the same to be in full settlement of all claims or demands on account of all claims or demands on account of extra work performed by him up to the end of the current year. Carried.
Notice of Motion.
I hereby give notice that I will introduce a By-Law at the next meeting of Council for levying a rate on certain property on Powell Street defined in a petition for the improvement of said street under the local improvement clauses of the City Charter. sgd L.A. Hamilton.
I hereby give notice that at the next meeting of this Council I shall move the following resolution.
Resolved that a petition be drafted and presented by the Mayor and Council of the City of Vancouver to the Government of the Province of British Columbia praying the said Government to pay over to the Mayor and Council of the City of Vancouver the amount of all rates and taxes collected by or on behalf of the Government from the date of the Incorporation of the said City of Vancouver within the limits or boundaries of the said City in order that the same may be used and expended in the improvement of the City of Vancouver.
Sgd J. Humphries.
The Council then adjourned.
M.A. MacLean
Mayor
Thos. F. McGuigan
City Clerk.
