It must have been a snowy month: David Oppenheimer asked police to forbid drivers from using street railway tracks during heavy snows, and W.G. Elliott threatened he would hold the City liable unless the snow was cleared off Cambie and Hastings Street near his property. At the same time, a man was to be hired to see that properties connected to city water were properly protected against frost, and that no water would be wasted.
This transcript was made in 2018 by Transcribimus volunteer Gerald Soon
Illustration: City of Vancouver Archives photo AM54-S4-: Str P123
northwest view from the corner of Richards and Dunsmuir Streets
Original handwritten minutes : City of Vancouver Archives
Series 23-A Volume 5 pages 307-313
[vol 5 pg 307]
Vancouver Feb 6th 1893
The Council met on Monday February 6th 1893.
Present His Worship the Mayor and Aldermen Anderson, Salsbury, Collins, Hackett, McCraney, Cargill, Franklin, Hobson, Brown, and Towler.
The minutes of last meeting were read and adopted.
The following communications were received and read:-
From W. J. Dowler, City Clerk, Victoria that the bear pit built there was constructed for $175.00
From W.E. Gravely stating that the insurance on the Library had expired and asking for a renewal.
Moved by Alderman Collins
Seconded by “ McCraney
That the City Clerk be authorized to have the insurance renewed.
Carried
From I.H. Hallett Solicitor for Messrs Clarke & Co of London, Eng. Asking for an extension of time for receiving propositions for the construction of a Drydock. Filed
From Ross. Howard & Co. stating that they were in a position to supply iron and brasswork.
Referred to the F. W & L. Committee
From D. Oppenheimer, President of the Vancouver and Westminster Tramway Co asking the Council when amending the City Charter to insert a clause giving the police power to forbid drivers from using the tracks of the street railways during heavy snows.
Referred to the Board of Works
From I. Oppenheimer, President of the Street Railway Co asking the Council to appoint a Committee to confer with the company as the subject of the guarantee recommended by the former Council.
Moved by Alderman Franklin
Seconded by “ Collins
[vol 5 pg 308]
That the request of I. Oppenheimer be granted and that a Committee be appointed consisting of Aldermen Salsbury, Hackett, Cargill, Hobson and Towler.
Carried.
From the B.C. Jute Co. asking for the grading of a portion of Clark Drive.
Referred to the Board of Works
From W.G. Elliott stating that he would hold the City liable unless the snow was cleared off Cambie and Hastings Street in his vicinity.
Filed
From the members of the Press asking for comfortable chairs exclusively for them.
Referred to the Finance Committee with power to act.
The following reports were received and read:-
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee met on Friday February 1893
Present. Aldermen Anderson, Collins, Cargill and Brown
It was recommended:-
1. That the following accounts be paid:-
The World I & P Co. Ads $23.40
Bank of BC Telegrams etc. 34.18
2. That the City Clerk notify R.A. Baynes, who has the contract for supplying wood to the Crematory, that he can proceed with his work as soon as the late contractor has completed the orders in hand.
3. That the representatives of the Western World and the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce who asked the City Council to subscribe for special numbers of their respective papers for distribution at the World’s Fair, Chicago be informed that the Committee cannot see its way clear to make any recommendations at present.
sgd R.A. Anderson, Chairman
[vol 5 pg 309]
Moved by Alderman Collins
Seconded by “ Franklin
That the Report be adopted.
Carried
F.W.& L. Committee
The F.W.& L. Committee met on Wednesday Feb 1st 1893
Present Aldermen Franklin, Salsbury, Hackett, Cargill and Towler.
It was recommended:
1. That the following accounts be paid:-
Veitch & Nickson Water works extension $1000.00
Ideal Grocery Supplies 74.02
A.K. Stuart Expenses paid 2.00
W.P. Turner etal. Labor 252.00
Hastings Saw Mill Co. Supplies 6.00
S.R. Connor Rigs 7.00
Van Gas Co. Supplies 7.75
Creamer & Langley “ 15.36
News. Advertiser “ 36.50
2. That H.F. Parkins be notified that his services will be retained up to the 1st of March.
3. That Jan D Boer, who offered to sell a diving outfit to the City, be notified that his communication is filed.
4. That the City Engineer be authorized it detail a man connected with the water works department to see that all parties having the City water are properly connected and prohibited against frost and at the same time to inform them that waste of water will not be allowed.
5. That three call men be appointed temporarily for Mount Pleasant Fire Hall at $15.00 a month each.
Sgd J.L. Franklin, Chairman
Moved by Alderman Brown
Seconded by “ Salsbury
That the Report be adopted
Carried
Health Committee
The Health Committee met on Friday February 3rd 1893.
Present. Aldermen Collins, Anderson and Cooper
It was recommended:
1. That the Hospital Medical Staff be requested when issuing permits for admission to the hospital to state on such permit whether the persons applying for admission are pay patients or not.
2. That Misses Walch and Busby be appointed nurses at the City Hospital at a salary of $20.00 a month respectively duties to begin on the 15th of February.
3. That the License Inspector be authorized to accept a half yearly rate for Scavenger Licenses issued after the 1st of January as the financial ends on the 30th of June.
4. That the communication from John Wolf offering to run the crematory for $80.00 per month be filed.
5. That the applications for Health Inspector be laid over.
sgd Henry Collins
Chairman
Moved by Alderman Salsbury
Seconded by “ Anderson
That the Report be adopted.
Carried
Board of Works
The Board of Works met on Thursday February 3rd 1893.
Present. Alderman McCraney, Salsbury, Franklin, Hackett and Brown.
It was recommended:-
1. That the communication from J. M. Holland asking for a refund of 1/3 of the cost of his cement sidewalk be laid over
[vol 5 pg 311]
2. That J.M. Holland’s communication asking for the extension of the Sewerage System to accommodate his building be referred to the City Engineer to look into.
3. That Robert Connacher be paid $15.00 for the use of his plow, the latter to be kept by the City.
4. That the communication from C.M. Wilson petitioning for a sidewalk on the Hamilton Street on the east side be laid over until the estimates are made up.
5. That the matter of a stagnant pool of water close to the premises of Mr. Burret on the corner of Howe and Dunsmuir Streets be referred to the City Engineer to look into.
6. That the request of the Board of Health that instruction be given to A.K. Stuart to do such clerical work as may be required in taking orders for scavengering to be laid over pending the appointment of a Health Inspector.
7. That E. Cook be notified that the City considers it has done more in the way of repairs to his float than it was called upon to do according to the original understanding
8. That the News Advertiser and the World be taken at half price as agreed upon for the current year.
9. That Messrs Gordon, Hermon and Burwell be requested to attend the next meeting of the Board to state in the event of the City being placed in such a position as to have to defend a suit re the boundaries of Mrs. Cook’s lots in 185, whether they would be justified in considering the plan submitted as correct.
10. That another notice be sent to the owner of Lot 14. Block 6, 185 Barclay St. requesting him to have the matter of putting up a railing along the sidewalk at said lot attended to without delay, or else said railing will have to be put up by the City and the cost charged up against the property.
[vol 5 pg 312]
11. That the recommendation of the clause regarding the entrance of the Burrard Inlet and Fraser Valley Railway Co. which was referred back to the Board be deferred, for one week until the City Solicitor can be present.
12. That the property owners in that portion of 185, which is now being cleared under contract be notified to pay in the respective amounts they have agreed to, the money to be paid in to the City Treasurer.
13. That J.J. Erickson be awarded the contract for constructing Section 10 of the Sewerage system for the lump sum of $3435.60
14. That tenders be called for the following for the accommodation of the new school buildings the tenders to be sent in by noon of Thursday next the 9th week.
(a) At West End School on north side of Helmcken St from Hornby to Burrard, also on Burrard Street from Helmcken to Nelson on east side, both 6 ft. sidewalks
(b) At Mount Pleasant School.
On the south side of 9th Ave from Sophia to Prince Edward Street, and also on 10th Av between Sophia Street and Prince Edward St. on the North side both 6 ft. sidewalks; also a 3 plank running walk on Prince Edward Street between 9th and 10th Avs on the west side.
(c) At High School
On the North side of Dunsmuir St between Cambie & Hamilton, 6 ft walk.
15. That the following accounts be paid:-
Diplock & Co. Stationery $8.85
Evans, Coleman & Evans Sewer pipes 86.70
McLennan & McFeely Supplies 96.52
H. Lomas etal. Labor, 188.50
sgd H.P. McCraney
Chairman
313
Moved by Alderman Collins
Seconded by “ Franklin
That the Report be adopted.
Carried.
The City Solicitor Submitted the proposed amendments to the City Charter
The Council went into the Committee of the Whole for their consideration. Alderman Collins in the Chair. The Amendments were read over clause by clause and reported to the Council as complete, after the addition of a clause on motion of Alderman Cargill seconded by Alderman that the City Solicitor be empowered to add such Clause to the Charter as may be required to make the Railway Bonus By-Law valid and beyond dispute. Alderman Salsbury objecting. The Committee then rose and confirmed the amendments as passed in Committee of the whole on motion of Alderman Anderson seconded by Alderman Cargill.
Motions
Moved by Alderman McCraney
Seconded by “ Franklin.
That a Special Committee consisting of Aldermen Hackett, Salsbury and Towler with the mover and seconder be appointed to consider the Dry Dock proposals and to act with the Committee of the Board of Trade and report to this Council.
Carried.
The Council then adjourned
F. Cope
Mayor
Thos. F McGuigan
City Clerk
