The Police Magistrate’s Salary was reduced from $1800 to $1500 per annum. City Accountant C. Tetley resigned. Aldermen Brown and Schou gave notice of a motion to build a canal from the Pitt River to “some point on Burrard Inlet at or near to Port Moody to cope with future flooding.
This transcript was made in 2021 by Transcribimus volunteer Gerald Soon.
Original handwritten minutes: COV Archives Series 31
Volume 7 pages 226 – 231
To see or download pictures of the handwritten pages, click on the buttons below (two parts)
[Volume 7 page] 226
Vancouver July 6th 1896
The Council met on Monday July 6th 1896 at 8 P.M.
Present – His Worship the Mayor and Aldermen Shaw, Painter, Banfield, Schou, McPhaiden, Clandenning, Brown, MacDonald, Bethune & Caldwell.
The Minutes of last meeting were read and adopted.
Communications
From F. S. Barnard, President of the Consolidated Railway Co Stating that if the City would extend their franchise on the Robson Street line they would construct a foot bridge across Coal Harbour in consideration of receiving $500.
Referred to the Board of Works
From Geo Bartley, Secretary of the Carnival Committee acknowledging receipt of communication from the City Clerk re grant.
Filed
From I. M. Plowman etal asking for water at Grove Street
Referred to the Water Committee
From J. Buntzen, Secretary Consolidated Ry Co refusing to pay a license
Referred to the City Solicitor
From the Salvation Army asking for the Market Hall for two nights for $15
Referred to the Market Committee
From the Chief of Police reporting on the Electric lights.
Filed
From the City Accountant C Tatley resigning his position to take effect on August 6th and stating that if advised
[Volume 7 page] 227
by his Solicitor he would make a claim for arrears of salary etc.
Latter part referred to the City Solicitor
From Messrs Purdy & Williams asking for the settlement of the reservoir question
Referred to the Water Committee
From the City Engineer reporting on his visit to the Rossland mines etc in connection with the Smelter matters
Referred to the Smelter Committee
The following Reports were received and read:-
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee met on Friday July 3rd 1896
Present – Aldermen Banfield, Painter, Browning, Bethune.
The following accounts were recommended for payment:-
News.Advertiser Supplies $8.70
The World P & P Co Ads 22.23
Communications
From the Librarian Victoria asking for a large sized Cabinet view of the City
Resolved that one be sent to him shewing the City taken from the harbour with ships lying at the docks
From the B.C. Iron Works, depositing a cheque for $200 as a guarantee of good faith re the introduction of the By-Law for exemption of taxes
That the City Solicitor be instructed to draft the required By-Law and that the cost of submitting it be deducted from the cheque deposited.
Resolved that the contract for painting at the City Hospital be approved and
[Volume 7 page] 228
be signed by the Mayor and City Clerk and the Corporate Seal affixed thereto.
Resolved that the different Committees be asked to hold special meetings for the revision of the By-Laws coming under their supervision so that all of them may be printed.
sgd J. J. Banfield
Chairman
Moved by Alderman Banfield
Seconded by “ Clandenning
That the Report be adopted.
Carried
Motions
Moved by Alderman Banfield
Seconded by “ Clandenning
That the resignation of C. Tetley be accepted.
Carried.
Resolved that Alderman Bethune, Banfield and Clandenning be appointed a Committee to investigate complaints regarding the bathing sheds.
Moved by Alderman Banfield
Seconded by “ Bethune
Whereas, the salary of the Police Magistrate as now arranged is $1800
And Whereas in the opinion of the Council the Salary is excessive and far too much for the amount of work done or probably is to be done,
Therefore be it resolved that the Lieutenant-Governor in Council be requested to pass an Order in Council fixing the Salary of the Police Magistrate at $1500 per annum in lieu of the $1800. Carried.
[Volume 7 page] 229
Consideration of By-Laws
Moved by Alderman Coldwell
Seconded by “ MacDonald
That the By-Law to regulate Bicycle riding be read a second time.
Carried
Moved by Alderman Caldwell
Seconded by “ MacDonald
That the Council go into Committee of the Whole for the consideration of the By-Law.
Carried.
Alderman Brown was appointed Chairman.
The By-Law was read out clause by clause and reported to Council as complete with amendments.
The Rules were suspended and the By-Law read a 3rd time on motion of Alderman Caldwell seconded by Alderman Clandenning.
Reconsideration of By-Laws
Moved by Alderman Brown
Seconded by “ Schou
That the amendments to the Market By-Law be reconsidered and finally passed and be signed by the Mayor and City Clerk and the Corporate Seal affixed thereto.
Carried.
Notice of Motion
Alderman Brown gave notice that at the next meeting of Council he would move the following Resolution:-
Whereas the Fraser River annually overflows its banks to a greater or less extent caused by the heavy snow fall in the mountains and
[Volume 7 page] 230
late springs are especially productive of sudden thaws and destructive floods placing the land adjoining the river under several feet of water proving very injurious to crops of all kinds and making farming a very uncertain and unprofitable occupation.
And whereas many farmers in order to protect their property against these overflows have erected dykes at great expense so that the waters in the river might be kept within its banks.
This attempt to confine the river to its channel only increases its height and no dykes have yet been constructed of which it can certainly be said that they are a protection against all floods.
These dykes together with the tides on the lower reaches of the Fraser which obstructs the free outflow of the water makes it next to impossible to protect the farming lands in this part of the country.
And whereas it is the general opinion that a canal from some point on the Pitt River to some point on Burrard Inlet at or near Port Moody would relieve the overflow of the Fraser and protect the farming lands against floods.
By means of this canal the waters of the Fraser would reach tide water by traversing a distance of about five miles, whereas by the present route they would travel about thirty five miles before reaching the Gulf of Georgia and obstructed for a part of the time by the incoming tide which to a considerable extent is the cause of the overflows.
This canal would not only be an outlet for the floods of the Fraser but would also give the farmers in that part of the Country a short route to Vancouver with their produce which they greatly desire because it is the best market on the Mainland.
Be it therefore resolved that the Dominion Government be asked to have a survey made of a canal on the route referred to both as regards its feasibility and the probable cost of constructing and that this
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resolution be forwarded to the Minister of Railways and Canals.
Also that copies of same be forwarded to Mr G.R. Maxwell Member for Burrard District and Mr H. Bostack, Member for the Yale-Caribou District and that they be requested to use their influence with the Government for the speedy accomplishment of this survey.
The Board then adjourned.
Henry Collins
Mayor
Thos F. McGuigan
City Clerk
