Aldermen Coupland and Gallagher moved that four policemen be dismissed; the Mayor ruled that motion out of order. The Mayor’s decision was upheld four to five. All homeowners were advised to remove “noxious weeds” on their properties and Ward Foremen were to clear them out from the same. Houses shown are in the West End.
This transcript was made in 2020 by Transcribimus volunteer Joanne McCormick
Illustration: City of Vancouver Archives
Reference number Str P13
Original handwritten minutes: City of Vancouver Archives
COV S 31 Volume 6 pages 649-661
to see original handwritten minutes for this date, click here
City Council Minutes – Vancouver July 8th 1895
[Volume 6, Page 649]
The Council met on Monday July 8th 1895 at 8 p m.
Present: His Worship, the Mayor and Aldermen Shaw, Coupland, Gallagher, Queen, McPhaiden, William Brown, Thomas, Bethune and W. P. Brown.
The Minutes of last meeting were read and adopted.
Communications
From the Gas Co asking for a share of the City lighting.
Referred to the Water & Light Committee.
From T. Harrobin etal, asking for the opening up of a lane in Block 14, DL 200A. Referred to the Board of Works.
From A. E. Beck stating that the County Court would be held on Tuesday the 30th instant. Filed.
From Drs. Thomas & Brydone-Jack, Miss Macfie and E. Seacome etal, in reference to the disease, death and burial of Septimus Dale {who died of Typhus}.
Referred to the Health Committee
From A. G. Ferguson, Chairman of the Park Commissioners asking for an additional grant of $500.00
Moved by Alderman Shaw; Seconded by Alderman McPhaiden
That the Park Commissioners be voted $5000 to finish the Park Road now under construction. Carried.
From R. A. Anderson furnishing a copy of the evidence shewing the ownership of the slot machines. Referred to the Police Committee.
From A. St G. Hamersley, stating that it would be necessary to search the records to ascertain the liabilities of the owners in Block 108, D L 196 who desire to convey land for a lane. Referred to the Fire Committee.
[Volume 7, Page 650]
From the Acting Chief of Police reporting on the electric lights. Filed.
From C. D. Rand, Secretary of the Celebration Committee furnishing a record of the receipts and expenditures in connection with the 1st of July Celebrations. Referred to Finance Committee.
From G. F. Baldion reporting on the qualifications of the Mayor and Aldermen elected in Jan 1895. Filed.
From W. B. Ross asking for explanations regarding his arrest. Filed.
The following reports were received and read.
Water & Light Committee
The Water & Light Committee met on Wednesday June 26th 1895.
Present: Aldermen Brown, Coupland, Gallagher and Bethune.
Communications
From W. T. Steward making an offer to light the City. Laid over till next meeting.
From C. G. Johnson, asking to have the water supply improved at his house on 8th Avenue. This committee recommends that A. W. Scoullar be instructed to examine water services and report any leakage he may find.
From Messrs. McGhie, Stephenson & Llewellyn re contract for laying submerged main. Filed.
[Volume 7, Page 651]
From F. J. Cross applying for situation as electrician for the City.
Resolved that he be informed that the City are not in need of the services of an electrician at present.
Resolved that a 1.5” pipe be laid to the bathing sheds at English Bay.
It was resolved to call for tenders for lead pipe, 1000 ft, 3/8”, 1000 ft ½” and 500 ft ¾”
The following accounts were recommended for payment:
News advertiser supplies $5.00
Market Hardware store supplies $3.60
W. H. Armstrong supplies $14.25
Tug Swan & others towing $20.00
W. H. Kendall hire of scow $6.00
Evans, Coleman & Evans supplies $74.10
Clarke & Stuart supplies $4.03
Champion & White supplies $28.00
Thos Dunn & Co supplies $13.95
John Boyd & Co supplies $6.42
Reservoir Pay Roll labor $435.85
Water Works Pay Roll labor $576.35
Signed William Brown, Chairman
Moved by Alderman Coupland; Seconded by Alderman McPhaiden
That the Report be adopted. Carried.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee met on Friday June 28th 1895.
Present Aldermen Brown, Gallagher and Coupland.
The following accounts were recommended for payment:
[Volume 7, Page 652]
News advertiser, cook book $9.00
H. Kersey, making case etc $11.00
J. Miller, stamps $30.00
The following contracts were approved of:
S. Sheridan Carl Ave sidewalk
S. Sheridan Burrard St sidewalk
S. Sheridan Drake St sidewalk
D. McGillivray, repairs to pavement on condition that the names of W. J. Pace and W. H. Armstrong are furnished as bondsmen.
The names of James Ironsides and Rod Campbell were furnished by D. K. Campbell as his bondsmen on the contract for laying of the new submerged main.
These names were submitted to the City Treasurer to ascertain if they owned property in their names to the amount of $5000 over and above all encumbrances.
Signed William Brown, Chairman
The Committee met again on Friday July 5th 1895.
Present: Aldermen Brown, Coupland, Gallagher and Coupland.
The following accounts were recommended for payment:
The World P&P Co ads $20.64
Telephone Co rents $55.85
News Advertiser supplies $24.65
T. H. Prior clerical work $32.00
Communications
From W. H. Hooper & S. Emanuels, asking for the refund of a portion of their auctioneer’s licenses paid in full for a whole year although taken out towards the end of the year.
[Volume 7, page 653]
Referred to the City Treasurer to refund the amounts claimed if found in conformity with the By-Law.
James Ironsides was accepted as one of the bondsmen for D. K. Campbell on the contract for laying the new submerged main; another name was submitted and it was resolved that if his qualification proved to be satisfactory that the contract be executed and the work proceeded with.
Resolved that the City Clerk be instructed to communicate with the Manager of the Consolidated Railway & Light Co and ask for the usual rebate of 15 per cent on the contracts for lighting the streets and the old wing of the City Hospital.
Signed William Brown, Chairman
Moved by Alderman William Brown; Seconded by Alderman Bethune
That the Report be adopted. Carried.
Health Committee
The Health Committee met on Wednesday July 3rd 1895
Present: Aldermen McPhaiden, Queen and Brown
Communications
From Miss Macfie furnishing hospital report for June. Filed.
From the Health Inspector asking for surface drains on 6th Ave and Prior Street. Referred to Board of Works.
From E. Seacome, etal, complaining about the manner in which Septimus Dale was buried. Referred to the Council.
From James McGeer furnishing milk report. Filed.
The following accounts were recommended for payment:
[Volume 7, page 654]
The Con Railway & Light Co lights $55.82
C. Nelson supplies $5.00
Champion & White scavengering $2.00
W. D. Brydone-Jack mental examination $5.00
Urquhart Bros supplies $9.30
C. Clark supplies $1.45
George Brisker labor $1.25
Thos Frizzell labor $2.00
Signed D. McPhaiden, Chairman
Moved by Alderman McPhaiden; Seconded by Alderman Queen
That the Report be adopted. Carried.
Board of Works
The Board of Works met on June 27th 1895
Present: the full Board
The request of J. P. Bell etal for grading Princess St east or a lane at Block 10, D L 82 was referred to the chain gang to be taken in its proper turn.
In reference to Mrs Crawford’s request for a sidewalk extension on 9th Ave, it was resolved that the contractor T. Powell be instructed to put a 3 plank walk as far as her house.
Carter Bros submitted a plan of the Horne building on Lot 8 Block 8 196 for approval also enclosing a cheque for $1000 for permit for use of street for building purposes.
Resolved that the plans be approved and a permit be issued subject to the front and rear walls being made 1 foot thick instead of 9” as shown on plan in order to conform with the requirements of the Fire Limit By-Law.
In re Morton appeal referred back to the City Solicitor to find out from Mr. Morton whether
[Volume 7, page] 655
the resolution passed by the Council in reference to Denman Street is satisfactory.
Resolved that the application of Capt. Mellon for sewer extension to accommodate his houses on Robson Street cannot be granted for want of funds.
Resolved that the City Engineer be instructed to have the paved streets sprinkled regularly during the hot weather.
Resolved that T. Hallam be put on to sweep the gutters and keep the catch basins clean on the paved streets under the Engineer’s directions the rate of pay to be $1.50 per day.
The following tenders were received and opened:
Barclay Street surface grading
Boyd & Clandenning 24 cents per linear foot
A. Balkwill 19.75 cents per linear foot
E. Masi & Co 18 cents per linear foot
D. Gibbons 18 cents per linear foot
Resolved that the tender of D. Gibbons be recommended for acceptance and the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized to attach the City Seal and sign same.
The following accounts were recommended for payment:
F. Bridge rock $17.08
C. Hollen rock $10.98
Con Railway & Light Co tickets $5.00
News Advertiser supplies $3.15
Evans, Coleman & Evans supplies $1.60
Signed H.P. Shaw, Chairman
The Board met again on July 4th 1895.
Present: Aldermen Shaw, Mc Phaiden & Thomas
Captain Mellon interviewed the Board in reference to sewerage extension to his houses on ….
[Volume 7, page 656]
… Robson Street west of Nicola Street.
Resolved that a six-inch tile sewer be put in by day work to connect his houses with the Nicola Street sewer.
Resolved that until further orders the coarse rock be sent to Seymour Street opposite the fire hall.
Resolved that until further orders that W. H. Kendall, contractor for rock be notified to stop sending down any more rock.
Resolved that as soon as the grading on Granville Street north of Drake Street is finished that the number of men in Ward 2 be reduced to the foreman and one man the same as the other wards.
Resolved that as soon as the work on Westminster Avenue is finished the gang in Ward 5 be reduced to the regular foreman and one man.
W. Brenton, Health Inspector called the attention of the Board to several places where box drains etc were necessary.
Referred to the Engineer to have the various matters attended to.
The following accounts were recommended for payment:
W. S. Cook deliver crushed rock $140.83
W. H. Kendall deliver crushed rock $812.52
D. Mc Gillivray paving $2293.95
Ditto extras $89.40
C. Nelson supplies $.25
J. W. Gibbons server $302.40
Evans, Coleman & Evans supplies $168.40
BC Ironworks supplies $60.00
Market Hardware Store supplies $5.30
Thomas etal labor $1188.05
Resolved that Mssrs Dunlap & Cook be paid 75 cents (amounting to $441.00) of their account for the two street sprinklers subject to the City Treasurer being satisfied that there are no liens against the contract.
Signed H. P. Shaw, Chairman
Moved by Alderman Shaw; Seconded by Alderman McPhaiden
That the items for extras in the report in favor of D. McGillivray be referred back and the balance of the reports adopted. Carried.
The Report of the Fire, Market & Police Committee laid over at the last meeting of Council was again read.
Moved by Alderman Coupland; Seconded by Alderman Gallagher
That Alderman W. P. Brown’s motion in said report be amended to read: “That John McLaren, V. W. Haywood, M. G. McLeod and {the name of } John H. Grady {be added to those not qualified to remain on the force and} be dismissed as Police Officers.”
The Mayor ruled the motion out of order.
Alderman Gallagher moved, seconded by Alderman Queen, That the ruling of the Mayor be not sustained. Motion lost.
Moved by Alderman Gallagher; Seconded by Alderman W. P. Brown
That Alderman W. P. Brown’s amendment in the Police Report be struck out. Carried.
Alderman Coupland moved that the balance …..
{Volume 7, page] 658
… of the Report be adopted as read but it was not put. The Mayor then declared the report a dead letter.
The following applications were received for assessors {for land and buildings}:
C. Grant; E. W. Edwards; H. Metrie; J. A. Coldwell; J. Burnes; R. A. Apenes; J. Devine; E. Nicoll; William Foster; Ed Lunn; A. Gothard; C. L. Brown; A. J. Paterson; R. H. Cook; D. M. Campbell
Moved by Alderman Bethune; Seconded by Alderman Gallagher
That three assessors be appointed out of the number. Carried.
The Council then proceeded to ballot on the applications. After a number were taken it was found that R. H. Cook, C. L. Brown and Henry Metrie received the highest number and were on motion declared appointed. Alderman William Brown moving and Alderman Bethune seconding.
Motions
Moved by Alderman William Brown; Seconded by Alderman Coupland
That the City Solicitor be instructed to give a written opinion as to whether It requires two thirds of the Council to discharge a Police Officer. Carried.
Moved by Alderman Shaw; Seconded by Alderman William Brown
That the City Clerk be instructed to put a notice in the papers notifying all parties to cut down noxious weeds on their property and that he notify the Ward Foreman to …..
[Volume 7, page 659}
…. Have the noxious weeds cut on the streets. Carried.
Moved by Alderman Gallagher; Seconded by Alderman Coupland
That the salary of Mr Barrie, amounting to $50.92 be paid, that being the amount due him for acting as substitute for Engineer Cooper in Fire Hall No 2. Carried.
Moved by Alderman McPhaiden; Seconded by Alderman Queen
That A. W. Scoullar’s services in connection with the inspection of water services be charged up to the Water & Light Committee by way of them paying their fair proportion of his salary for the time taken up by him in their service. Carried.
Moved by Alderman Gallagher; Seconded by Alderman Coupland
That $50.00 of the estimates of the Police Committee be placed in the Secret Service fund and that any monies in such fund be paid out on the order of the Chief of Police and Chairman of Police Committee. Carried.
Alderman Gallagher produced a copy of the Police Investigation Evidence before the Council.
The Council then adjourned.
Henry Collins, Mayor Thomas McGuigan, City Clerk
[Volume 7, pages 660 and 661 left intentionally blank]
Note:
Comments in parenthesis { } denote further illumination provided by the writer and from The Vancouver Daily World Newspaper; They Did Not Succeed, July 9 1895, pg 3
