An Investigation Committee to examine the cost of running the City Hall, Fire Brigade and Police Force: the number of employees, their salaries and duties. Doctor Thomas appointed Medical Health Officer at $50 per month; some of his duties were to “examine lunatics” and treat prisoners in jail. John P. Turner was unanimously elected Foreman of the Water Works. A. St. George Hamersley was appointed City Solicitor at $2,000 per year.
This transcript was made in 2020 by Transcribimus volunteer Joanne McCormick
Illustration: blogs.vsb.bc.ca
[ East End (Oppenheimer Street) School, originally located at 522 Oppenheimer Street,
moved to Pender and Jackson in 1891. It was renamed Strathcona in 1900]
to see original handwritten minutes – click here
City of Vancouver Archives
COV S 31 Volume 5 pages 295-306
City Council Minutes – Vancouver January 30th 1893
[Volume 5, Page 295]
Vancouver January 30th 1893
The Council met on Monday January 30th 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.
Communications
From Alex S. Blackwood etal stating that a man named Ross {60 years of age} was {living} in absolute poverty just outside the City Limits on Hastings {in an old shack without food, furniture or fire}. The Mayor promised to look into the matter in the morning.
From Dr. Davie, Victoria, asking that the City be cleaned up. Filed.
From Bell-Irving and Paterson requesting the Council to name a day for a meeting re the settlement of their claim for water pipes. The Mayor named Wednesday next at 4pm.
From Cook and Carriere applying for a Scavenger’s License. Laid over.
From Jan de Boer offering to sell a diving outfit to the City. Referred to the Fire, Water & Light Committee.
From John J. Nickson stating that his partner would finish up his contract in case he was appointed Foreman of the Water Works. Filed.
From the City Engineer asking the Council to take steps to prevent the {enormous} waste of water {due to people leaving taps open}. Referred to the Fire, Water & Light Committee with power to act.
From the Secretary of the School Board asking for the balance due them on debenture account.
Moved by Alderman Collins; Seconded by Alderman McCraney.
That the balance due to the School ….
[Volume 5, page 296]
…. Board on debenture account be paid over to the said Board, the amount being $13,889.21. Carried.
From F.C. Potts, asking the Council to subscribe $1000 towards a special addition of the Western World {civic patronage for a special World’s Fair edition of the publication, Western World}. Referred to the Finance Committee.
From George Gillespie, Manager of the Bank of BC referring to the change of the City’s bank account and asking for a re-consideration. Filed. {This is in reference to the City pulling its account at the Bank of BC and moving it to the Bank of Montreal, the fourth largest in the world; a cost savings measure, as the City would have saved $1000 on the matter of overdraft alone in 1892}.
The following reports were received and read:
Board of Works
The Board of Works met on Thursday January 26th 1893.
Present: Alderman McCraney, Franklin, Salsbury, Hackett and Brown
It was recommended that:
1. That this Board recommends that permission be given to the Burrard Inlet and Fraser Valley Railway Company to run a single track in the centre of the streets for the whole distance shown on plan and profile submitted; also that on Railway Street between Gore Avenue and Carl Avenue {today’s Princess Avenue}, permission be granted the said Railway Co. to occupy the balance of said Railway Street to the south of their single track, provided the property owners on the south side are arranged with by the said Railway Co; also that permission be given to said Railway Co to construct an additional track on the west side of Raymur Avenue, from and to the south of the New Westminster and Vancouver Tramway Co’s line (or so near there to as the law may permit) to the end of the Crab Street lane, the grades to be arranged to the satisfaction of the City Engineer.
The crossing of the said Tramway Co’s line to be arranged for by the said Railway Co in accordance with the conditions of the Railway act; all private interests to be guarded……
[Volume 5, page 297]
….and arranged for by the said Railway Company.
2. That the Street Inspector examine and report upon the communication from H.C. Dougherty re the cutting down of dangerous trees near Lot 13, Block 19, 182.
3. That the communication from William Skene re the state of the lanes near his premises be referred to the City Engineer for attention.
4. That the City Engineer be instructed to proceed with the construction of Section 8 of the sewerage extension as soon as possible.
5. That the City Engineer be authorized to proceed to Portland, Oregon to examine into the use of T rails there on permanently paved streets and report on his return. {There was considerable discussion as to whether the Engineer should go at this time “A glance at the city engineer’s face gave him the opinion that the waterworks were even now a great pressure on the engineer’s brain. He thought when they had purchased the water works that they had only purchased back the franchise of the use of their own streets, but after going up the pipe line he had concluded that they had purchased a great deal more. The pipe was badly laid up and down, in and out, till it resembled a badly twisted corkscrew. There was also an accumulation of gravel gathering at the dam that might increase so as to shut off the supply. He thought that then the dam would be dammed, the system would be d—d, the city d—d, and the committee that had charge of the system would be d—d by the citizens.”}
6. That the communication from W.A. Clark applying for the established grade of Homer Street between Dunsmuir and Georgia Streets be referred to the City Engineer for attention, and report.
7. That C.O. Wickenden be informed that the City will undertake to put in a basement drain to connect the new building under erection on Granville Street at Georgia and Dunsmuir respectively if the property owners will guarantee to pay for the costs of its construction.
8. That the communication from the Deputy Attorney General re the drowning of Donato Zazzarino be acknowledged and filed.
9. That the communication from E. Cook submitting an account for $288.00 for the replanking of his float be laid over for the City Engineer to look into and report.
10. That the communication from the firm of Evans Coleman & Evans offering to sell pipes slightly defective at reduced rates be referred to the City Engineer to examine into the quantity required.
[Volume 5, page 298]
11. That the City Engineer’s office be supplied with the newspaper during the Board of Works, advertising for references.
12. That tenders be called up to noon on Thursday the 9th of February for common lumber for repairs and for walls.
13. That the following accounts be paid:
Thos. Veitch delivering crushed rock $935.43
W.H. Rendall delivering crushed rock $2046.24
J.A. McAlpine supplies $1.25
E. Shurgold drayage $.50
H.T. Devine & Co feed $15.00
Evans, Coleman & Evans server pipe $268.90
Boyd & Clandenning sewer No. 6 $3175.77
H. Lomas etal labor $269.50
Signed H.P. McCraney, Chairman
Moved by Alderman Franklin; Seconded by Alderman McCraney
That the report be adopted.
Moved in amendment by Alderman Salsbury; Seconded by Alderman Towler
That the clause in the report relating to the Burrard Inlet and Fraser Valley Railway Co. be referred back to the Board of Works. Amendment carried.
Moved by Alderman Franklin; Seconded by Alderman McCraney
That the Report as amended be adopted. Carried.
Fire, Water and Light Committee
The F.W. & L. Committee met on Wednesday January 25th 1893
Present: Alderman Franklin, Towler and Salsbury
It was recommended:
1. That the following accounts be paid:
W.P. Turner etal labor $309.90
[Volume 5, page 299]
Van Gas Co coke, etc $15.25
A.O. Leask duty $6.95
BC Mills lumber $53.58
Hastings Sawmill Co lumber $9.00
M.B. Wilkinson buggy hire $15.00
H.T. Devine & Co supplies $81.83
J.A. Skinner & Co supplies $.50
Sheldon & Co supplies $1.60
2. That William Skene who complained about the unfurnished condition of the water trenches be informed that the matter is being attended to.
3. That Cassady & Co, who applied to purchase a quantity of 4” pipe be sold, the amount required at invoice price with 10 per cent added.
4. That the City Clerk be instructed to write to M. McLean etal who asked for water and request them to come to the water works office and make the regular application.
5. That the City pay the BC Ironworks the same price for supplies as they would pay for the same quantity elsewhere.
6. That J. McInnes be appointed teamster {driver} for the team at Mount Pleasant Fire Hall if he can be obtained and if he cannot that the Chief be authorized to hire some other suitable person. The duties of such person to begin on the 1st of February after which date the duties of H.F. Perkins, now in charge, shall cease.
Signed J.L. Franklin, Chairman
Moved by Alderman McCraney; Seconded by Alderman Brown
That the report be adopted. Carried.
Health Committee
The Health Committee met on Tuesday January 24th 1893
Present: Alderman Collins, Anderson, Hobson….…. Cargill and Towler.
[Volume 5, page 300]
It was recommended:
1. That applications be called for the position of Health Inspector, such applications to be received up to Saturday next at 10am, salary fixed at $75.00.
2. That the resignations of Misses Woodward and Kenrick, as nurses at the City Hospital be accepted as per request and that applications be called for filling the positions receivable up to Saturday next at 10am.
3. That H.A. McIntosh be paid the amount due him for supplying goods to the quarantine hospital in July last, over and above a garnishee now held by the City.
4. That the communications from W.H.T. Tyrrell {re his being quarantined in the Columbia hotel}, John Wolfe {re his $50 claim for cleaning the CPR stockyards}, William Robertson and Patrick Carey {for the City to take charge of William Ball} be filed.
5. That we terminate the present arrangements with the Marine Department for the care of sick Mariners in the City Hospital {at fifty cents per day}.
6. That the following accounts be paid:
Atkins & Atkins supplies $70.32
H.A. McIntosh & Co supplies $72.88
A.E. Broderick nursing $5.65
Pioneer Steam Laundry washing $41.60
Hudson’s Bay Co supplies $3.50
J.L. Herrett & Co supplies $55.29
E. Clough drayage $1.50
Grace Woodward nursing $10.00
J.P. Blake supplies $15.00
R.T. Robinson labor $2.25
Dinead, Dowd, Heating Hospital $176.25
Thomas Dunn & Co supplies $.85
R.C. Winch supplies $47.52
Ideal Grocery supplies $84.12
McLennan & McFeely supplies $3.68
J. Mischell sharpening picks $1.35
Thomas Dunn & Co supplies $7.00
[Volume 5, page 301]
G.L. Allan supplies $12.30
Hudson’s Bay Co supplies $7.00
Palmer Brothers supplies $59.12
F.W. Hart burials $21.50
W.A. Cumyow interpreting $5.00
T. Scott supplies $3.15
Dr. Thomas ex of lunatics $5.00
S.T. Tilley & Son supplies $.50
W.A. McIntosh & Co supplies $1.25
H.T. Devine & Co supplies $12.33
J.P. Blake supplies $3.40
Tye & Co supplies $3.35
E. Clough drayage $12.80
Dunlop, Cooke & Co supplies $7.00
Gurney Cab Co cab hire $14.75
William Ralph supplies $31.05
The Ideal Grocery supplies $8.70
H. Lee supplies $2.25
Palmer Brothers supplies $18.00
George Cassady & Co supplies $.40
H.T. Devine & Co supplies $38.79
R.C. Winch supplies $3.98
The Health Committee met again on Friday January 27th 1893, a full board being present. It was recommended that:
1. That applications be invited for the position of Medical Health Officer for the City of Vancouver and that the City Clerk be instructed to draw up an agreement setting forth the duties that will be required of such officer in addition to his duties under the Health By-Law and that such applications be received up to Monday at 7pm.
2. That City Scavengers be licensed and that the Health By-Laws be so amended that parties can be compelled to clean up their premises.
3. That a bureau be purchased for the City Hospital.
4. That the required number of Electric Lights….
[Volume 5, page 302]
…be installed in the wing to the City Hospital.
5. That the attention of the Board of Works be called to a stagnant pool of water close to the premises of Mr. Buruch on the corner of Howe & Dunsmuir Streets, and that they be asked to take steps to drain off same, also that they be asked to instruct A.K. Stuart to do such clerical work as may be required in connection with the scavenger ring of the City.
6. That John Wolfe be notified to return all City property in his possession.
Signed H. Collins, Chairman
Moved by Alderman Salsbury; Seconded by Alderman Brown
That the Report be adopted. Carried.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee met on Friday January 27th 1893
Present: Aldermen Anderson, Collins, Cargill, Hobson and Brown.
It was recommended:
1. That the communication from Crowder and Penzer re the coal contract be filed.
2. Re the charges against the City Clerk. We have enquired into the charges preferred against him and find that he has not exceeded his duty. This opinion being also held by the City Solicitor. We would recommend that in future the Deputy Returning Officers carry out more strictly the rules laid down in the City Charter governing the conduct of elections so that the City Clerk would not be under the necessity of arranging the ballots after they are placed in his custody.
[Volume 5, page 303]
2. That the City Solicitor be instructed to look up the agreement of sale between Hanson Brothers and the City re the City Debentures and communicate with Hanson Brothers on the subject.
3. That the City Clerk be instructed to ascertain what it will cost to have the annual reports printed and report at next meeting.
4. That all companies or individuals collecting Poll Taxes amounting to $100.00 or over be allowed 5 per cent for such collections.
5. That the following accounts be paid:
William Templeton Supplies $15.00
Marshall & MacRae Supplies $1.00
News Advertiser Supplies $28.65
The Monitor Supplies $103.25
Signed R.A. Anderson, Chairman. Moved by Alderman Franklin; seconded by Alderman Collins
That the report be adopted. Carried
Introduction of By-Laws
Alderman Franklin moved, Seconded by Alderman Towler
That a by-Law be introduced to provide for the better collection of water rates. Carried.
The by-law was introduced and read a first time.
Motions
Moved by Alderman Collins; Seconded by Alderman Brown
That the City Clerk be instructed to petition the Government for a grant of $8000 in aid of the City Hospital and $1000 in aid of the Fire Department. Carried.
[Volume 5, page 304]
Moved by Alderman McCraney; Seconded by Alderman Franklin
That the Provincial Government be asked to transfer the School Sales now held by them in this City to the School Board also to hand over to the said Board the amount received from the sale of the East End School property. Carried.
Moved by Alderman Towler; seconded by Alderman Franklin
That a committee be appointed to enquire into the cost of running the City Hall, the Fire Brigade and the Police Force, the number of employees, the salaries paid them and the services which they render. Carried.
Moved by Alderman Salsbury; seconded by Alderman Brown
That the Chairman of the several Standing Committees comprise the Investigation Committee. Carried.
The following applications were received for the position of City Solicitor.
From T.H. Hallett, A. St. G. Hamersley, J.J. Blake and R.W. Armstrong.
Moved by Alderman Franklin; Seconded by Alderman Anderson. That the Council go into Committee of the whole for the purpose of making the appointment, Alderman Collins in the Chair. Carried.
After a ballot was taken it was found that A. St G. Hamersley received a majority of the votes cast;
The Committee then rose and reported the appointment of Alfred St. George Hamersley {1848-1929}
Moved by Alderman McCraney; Seconded by Alderman Salsbury
That the appointment of Mr. Hamersley be made unanimous and ……
[Volume 5, page 305]
…. That his salary date from the first of January 1893 {$2000 per annum}. Carried.
The following applications were received for the position of Foreman of the Water Works:
H.P. Muir, James Watson, Chris Brethour, W.J. Rawlings, John P. Turner, C.P. Kimberly, W.P. Parson, A.W. Scoullar, C.J. Harling, W. Hooper, William McKinley, George Stevens, C.W. McCaulay, J.J. Mcisoir and G.A. Rourke
The Council went into committee of the whole to ballot for the appointment, Alderman Anderson in the Chair.
After a number of ballots were taken it was found that John P. Turner received a majority of the votes cast;
The Committee then rose and on motion of Alderman Franklin, seconded by Alderman Towler, the appointment of John P. Turner was made unanimous, and dating from the 1st of February 1893.
Moved by Alderman Towler; Seconded by Alderman Hobson
That the salary of the Medical Health Officer be fixed at $50 per month, his duties to consist of carrying out the provisions of the Health By-Law to attend prisoners in the Jail when required and to examine lunatics. Carried.
The following applications were received for the position:
Doctors McGuigan, Thomas, Herald and Robertson
Council went into Committee of the whole to ballot for the appointment with Alderman Collins in the Chair.
After a ballot was taken it was found that Dr. Thomas received a majority of the votes cast;
The Committee then rose and reported the appointment of Dr. Thomas.
[Volume 5, page 306]
Moved by Alderman Cargill; Seconded by Alderman Brown
That the appointment of Dr. Thomas as Medical Health Officer be confirmed by Council. Carried.
The applications for Health Inspector were laid over for one week and the applications for nurses were referred to the Health Committee to repost to next meeting of Council.
The Board then adjourned.
F. Cope Thomas F. McGuigan
Mayor City Clerk
Note: Comments in parenthesis { } denote further illumination provided by the writer and from The Vancouver Daily World Newspaper;
The Bank and the Council, January 31 1893, pg 6
Health Committee, January 25 1893, pg 7
