Council wants $15,000 more for Court House building – January 28, 1889

Council wants $15,000 more for Court House building – January 28, 1889
Cambie & Hastings, City Hospital middle right

Council to ask province for $15,000 more for Court House, $5,00 grant in aid of Hospital, and $2,000 in aid of the Police. Aldermen Clark, Howe and Whetham to meet with Vancouver Water Works company to arrange for a Guarantee Bond.

This transcript was made in 2015 by Transcribimus volunteers Margaret Sutherland
and Joy Marie Vasquez

original handwritten minutes here

City of Vancouver Archives
Series 23-A Volume 2 pages 662-676

[volume 2 page 662]

Vancouver January 28th 1889

The Council met on Monday January 28th 1889 at 7:30 P. M.

Present His Worship Mayor Oppenheimer, Aldermen Clark, Costello, Brighouse, Brewer, Horne, Lefevre, McConnell, Oppenheimer, Salsbury and Whetham.

The Minutes of last meeting were read and adopted.

Communications

From J. Lowe, Deputy Minister of Agriculture acknowledging receipt of a letter from the City Council on the subject of Quarantine Regulations. Filed.

From C. L. Brown asking for the position of Road Inspector for Ward 5. Referred to the Board of Works.

From Messrs Davie and Pooley re the Suit of the C. P. R. Co against the City. Referred to Finance Committee.

From O.D. Sweet C.M.C. North Arm, acknowledging receipt of communication of Council regarding the construction of the roads and bridges at the Fraser River. Filed.

From E. Mohun C.E. forwarding a copy of a paper read before the Canadian Society of Civil Engineers, descriptive of the Sewerage of Vancouver. Filed.

From Queen Bros. Offering to fill in Cambie Street between Cordova and Hastings Street for 35 cts per yard.

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Referred to the Board of Works.

From J. W. McFarland, Secretary of the Vancouver Water Works Co informing Council that his company were doing all they could to hurry the repairs to the streets in the City torn up by them. Filed.

From J. W. McFarland replying to resolution of City Council re Water Works and asking that a day be fixed by Council for meeting the Directors. Filed.

Reports

Park Commissioners No 1

The Park Commissioners met on Wednesday January 23rd 1889 and appointed Mr. G. G. Mackay, Chairman.

Resolved.

1. That the Council be requested to inform this Committee what funds are at our disposal at present and what amount will be furnished us for the coming year.

2. That the Council be requested to instruct the City Engineer to prepare complete plans of all the Parks in the City, said plans to be furnished to this Board.

Sgd Thos. F. McGuigan, Secretary
Vancouver Jan 23rd 1889

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Moved by Alderman Salsbury seconded by Alderman Whetham. That the report of the Park Commissioners be adopted. Carried.

Finance No 3

The Finance Committee met on Friday January 25th 1889.

Present Aldermen Costello, Lefevre, Salsbury and Whetham.

The following recommendations are submitted for the Sanction of Council.

1. That the Board of Works be authorized to call for tenders for the re-planking of Water Street at an estimated cost of $405.00.

2. That a fence and coal shed be erected on the City Hall Lots, doors and shelves made for the Clerks, Treasurer’s and Engineer’s Offices and that the Mayor be authorized to purchase the necessary furniture for his office.

3. That the following account be paid W. D. Jones Pigeon Holes. $30.00.

The accounts recommended for payment by the Board of Health, Board of Works, and Fire, Water and Light Committee were laid before the Finance Committee and examined and approved.

The City Clerk reported that the Debentures appropriations for the Granville Street Bridge and for Street improvements

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in Ward 5 would be overdrawn $1,038.40 and $364.78 respectively if the accounts recommended by the Board of Works were paid.

He was instructed to issue orders covering the appropriations, pending arrangements being made for funds to discharge all of the liabilities.

Sgd. W. F. Salsbury, Chairman

Moved by Alderman Costello seconded by Alderman McConnell. That the report of the Finance Committee be adopted. Carried.

Health No 2

The Board of Health met on Tuesday January 22nd 1889, all the members being present and beg leave to recommend as follows:

1. That the City Treasurer make out a statement of a month’s receipts and expenditure of the City Hospital as a basis on which to frame estimates for the current year, such statement to be ready for use at the next regular meeting of this Committee.

2. That the salary of A. M. Robertson M.D. Medical Health Officer be increased to $50.00 per month, he to attend to all City Ward and to quarantined patients whenever necessary and to furnish an efficient substitute whenever from absence or other

[volume 2 page 666]

causes he is unable to attend to his duties.

3. That the sum of $126.50 be paid to A.M. Robertson as compensation for extra services at quarantine on Brockton Point during the months of November and December last.

4. That the following accounts be paid

Hudson Bay Co. Supplies $110.50
Woodworth & Co. Express 1.00
do Coal 20.00
S. R. Conner, Hack Hire 3.25
W. C. Marshall, Drayage 2.50
Frank Wiss, Milk 42.70
Hayes & McIntosh, Meats 43.49
R. Robertson, Clothing 22.75
Brown & White, Dry Clothing 45.00
A. W. Wright, Vegetables 14.70
M. Berry, Boat Man 3.00
R. L. Winch Eggs .75 cents
Palmer Bros. Coal 10.00
Chas. Nelson, Drugs 3.50
do Drugs 27.63
do Drugs 4.75
J. Stevens & Sons, Sur. Net 6.00
J. Sehl, Furniture 23.20
do “ 7.25
H. A. Berry & Co. Dray. 2.00
W. J. Taylor, Burials 45.00
Telephone Co. Hospital 4.00
Van Electric Ill. Co. 33.00
Thos. Dunn & Co. Hardware 1.25
J. Robinson, Keys .50
Starrett & Leatherdale, Livery 5.00
J. S. Clute & Co. Dry Goods 10.15
Queen Bros. Livery 23.50

[volume 2 page 667]

W. D. Haywood, Boot Patrol 3.00
C. Lewis Dray 1.00
Hastings Saw Mill Co. Goods 20.00
Wm. Williams, Labor. 83.00
A. Larwill “ 84.50
A. Wolfe, Scavengering 8.00
Campbell & Martin, Bread 17.40
John Scuitto, Quarantine 10.55
C. P. Telegraph Co 11.85
Hayes & McIntosh, Meat 1.26
Vancouver Wharfage Co. 7.50
Thos. Dunn & Co. Dumbwaiter 28.75

Sgd., J. M. Lefevre, Chairman

Moved by Alderman Oppenheimer seconded by Alderman Costello. That the report of the Board of Health be adopted. Carried.

F. W & L. No 3

The Fire, Water and Light Committee met on Wednesday January 23rd 1889.

Present Alderman Brighouse, Clark, and Oppenheimer.

The following recommendations are submitted for the Sanction of Council:

1. That Alderman Brighouse be refunded $12.00 freight charges and expenses on horse recently purchased on production of proper voucher.

2. That Thos. F. McGuigan be refunded $1.80 paid by him for coke for Silsby Heater

[volume 2 page 668]

3. That R. D. McMicking be communicated with, asking him to give full particulars of his Ball Electric Light System with approximate cost.

4. That the necessary number of Electric Lights be placed in Fire Halls No 1 and 2 as it is considered most urgent for the safety of the buildings and the convenience of the Firemen.

Thereafter the Fire, Water and Light Committee will meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at 3 P. M.

Sgd., I. Oppenheimer, Chairman

Moved by Alderman Clark seconded by Alderman Salsbury. That the report of the Fire, Water and Light Committee be adopted. Carried.

Works No 2

The Board of Works met on Monday the 28th instant, and beg to recommend:

1. That tenders be called for the planking of 1700 feet of Granville Street South with 2 inch plank 20 ft. in length and that it be graded the width of the plank.

2. That 173 feet of 10 foot sidewalks be laid on Granville Street opposite the Van Horne Block.

3. That 200 feet of 8 ft sidewalk be laid on Dunsmuir Street opposite the Van Horne Block.

4. That the crossings on Water Street at

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the foot of Abbott Street be raised.

5. That one block on Hastings Street opposite Ferguson Block be gravelled.

6. That Cambie Street be filled up to grade from Hastings to Cordova Street.

7. That Georgia Street be gravelled opposite the Hotel Vancouver.

8. That Hastings Street be filled to grade from Abbott to Cambie.

9. That Pender Street be planked with 2 inch plank 10 feet wide from Howe Street to the Stable west of Burrard Street.

10. That the lane in Block 9 Subdivision 196, opposite the Presbyterian Church be graded.

11. That the lane in Block 4, Subdivision 196 opposite Hart’s Opera House be planked.

12. That the tenders received for the planking of Lane in Block 8 and the grading of Lane in Block 42 be accepted.

13. That a sidewalk 8 feet wide be laid on Richards Street from Georgia to Pacific.

14. That a sidewalk be laid on Seymour Street from Davie to Drake.

15. That the sidewalk in Lane in Block 10 running North and South crossing on Hastings and Oppenheimer Streets be repaired.

16. That the sidewalk at the intersection of the Lane in Block 11 with Homer Street be repaired.

17. That the planking in the alley in rear of Burrard Hotel be repaired.

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18. That the sidewalk at the intersection of Lane in Block 8 with Carrall Street be repaired.

19. That the Bridge at the Brewery on Seaton Street be repaired.

20. That an 8 foot sidewalk be laid on Drake Street from Granville to Richards Street.

Sgd. S. Brighouse, Chairman

Moved by Alderman Oppenheimer seconded by Alderman Clark. That the report of the Board of Works be adopted. Carried.

Report from the City Engineer notifying Council that the total cost of the Granville Street Bridge would be $20160.00. Referred to the Finance Committee.

By-Laws

Alderman Horne introduced a By-Law to amend the Street Railway By-Law which was read a first time.

The Rules were suspended and the By-Law read a second time on motion of Alderman Lefevre.
The Council went into Committee of the Whole on motion of Alderman Salsbury, Alderman Horne being appointed Chairman.

The By-Law was numbered 76 and read over clause by clause and reported to Council as complete

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with amendments.

By-Law was read a third time on motion of Alderman Lefevre seconded by Alderman Horne and ordered to be signed, sealed and gazetted.

Motions

Moved by Alderman Howe seconded by Alderman Whetham. That his Worship the Mayor be asked to appoint Aldermen Clark, Howe and Whetham as a Committee to meet the Directors of the Vancouver Water Works Co. and set a time when said meetings shall take place with said Company to arrange for a Guarantee Bond. Carried.

Moved by Alderman Howe seconded by Alderman Clark. That the Communication of Messrs Davie and Pooley be referred to the Finance Committee with power to act. Carried.

Moved by Alderman Clark seconded by Alderman Brewer. That Alderman McConnell be appointed Chairman of the Police Committee.

Moved in amendment by Alderman Whetham seconded by Alderman Brighouse. That the matter of electing a Chairman for the Police Committee be

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referred back to the said Committee to elect their own Chairman. Amendment lost.

Yeas. Aldermen Whetham, Salsbury, Lefevre, Howe and Brighouse.

Nays. Aldermen Clark, Costello, McConnell, Oppenheimer and Brewer, the Mayor voted Nay.

Motion Carried.

Yeas. Aldermen Clark, Costello, Brewer, McConnell & Oppenheimer.

Nays. Aldermen Brighouse, Lefevre, Horne, Salsbury and Whetham, the Mayor voted Yea.

Moved by Alderman Oppenheimer seconded by Alderman Costello.

That the Board of Works are hereby empowered to instruct the City Engineer to survey the proposed east park road as shown on new plan and that the Board of Works are hereby empowered to let the work to the present contractors at prices named in their bids of the 21st inst; also that such portions of Lots 18, Block 9, Lot 16, Block 14, Lots 1 and 2 in Block 10 be secured to strengthen said Park Road.

Moved by Amendment by Alderman Brighouse seconded by Alderman Whetham. That the Board of Works be authorized to have a survey made

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of Powell Street commencing at Block 19 in District Lot 184 and running easterly to the Park.

Moved as an amendment to the amendment by Alderman Lefevre seconded by Alderman Salsbury. That the question of those two routes be referred to the Finance Committee to report to next meeting of Council. Amendment to the Amendment lost.

Ayes. Aldermen Brighouse, Lefevre, Horne, Salsbury & Whetham.

Nays. Aldermen Clark, Costello, Brewer, McConnell and Oppenheimer, the Mayor voted nay.

Amendment Lost.

Yeas. Aldermen Brighouse, Horne, Lefevre, Salsbury & Whetham.

Nays. Aldermen Brewer, Clark, Costello, McConnell and Oppenheimer, the Mayor voted Nay.

Motion carried.

Yeas. Aldermen Clark, Costello, Brewer, McConnell and Oppenheimer.

Nays. Aldermen Brighouse, Horne, Lefevre, Salsbury and Whetham, the Mayor voted yea.

Moved by Alderman Horne seconded by Alderman Costello.

Whereas the Legislature of British Columbia at its last session did grant the sum of $5,000.00.

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for the purpose of erecting a Court House in the City of Vancouver.

And whereas the said grant of $5,000.00 is not sufficient to build a Suitable Court House for a growing City like Vancouver which has, already a population of about 11,000 persons.

And whereas it is expedient that the Government of British Columbia should make a further grant for the purpose of erecting a suitable building for such court house coupling therewith a Land Registry Office and other suitable and necessary offices for the officials required in connection with said Court House and Registry Office.

And whereas there is no Land Registry Office in the said City of Vancouver and in consequence the citizens and public generally are put to great inconvenience and expense by having to go to New Westminster to register all their conveyances of Real and Personal Estate and Search the titles to same.

And whereas the City of Vancouver has at its own expense built and equipped a hospital according to the best modern methods and engage and pay a suitable staff of Nurses and Attendants therefor and have secured the services of a proper Medical Staff who daily attend to the patients in said hospital.

And whereas said Hospital is used extensively by the inhabitants of a large section of the country outside the limits of said City of Vancouver, many of whom

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are unable and do not pay anything for the care and attendance afforded them therein.

And whereas the City of Vancouver has two large and expensive fire engines with two fire brigades and fire halls and all the necessary hose and other equipments to successful combat the ranges of possible fires. Be it therefore resolved by the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Vancouver in Council assembled.

1. That the Legislature of the Province of British Columbia be respectfully requested to make a further grant of $15,000.00 for the building of said Court House combining in same a Land Registry Office and the necessary offices in connection with such Court House and Registry Office and that said Legislature do establish such Land Registry Office for the registration of conveyances of property within the limits of the City of Vancouver in said City.

2. And be it further resolved that said Legislature be requested to make a grant of $5,000.00 in aid of said Public Hospital of the City of Vancouver.

3. And be it further resolved that said Legislature be requested to grant the sum of $2,000.00 in aid of the Fire Department of said City.

And be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution signed by the

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Mayor and City Clerk be forwarded to the Hon the Lieutenant Governor in Council. Carried.

D. Oppenheimer, Mayor

Thos. F. McGuigan, City Clerk