Mayor Oppenhiemer and Alderman receive a notice of injunction from Elizabeth Ann Studden on behalf of the ratepayers, prohibiting the City from paying any further salary to Isaac Hallet as Police Magistrate. Hastings Street to be graded for Street Railway tracks. Committees appointed to organize Vancouver’s contribution to the Provincial Exhibit, and to acquire electric street lighting, street railways, and gas works.
This transcript was made in 2016 by Transcribimus volunteer Donna Kynaston
and sponsored by Shirley Barnett
original handwritten minutes here
City of Vancouver Archives
Series 23-A Volume 4 pages 434 – 440
[vol 4 page 434]
Vancouver July 27th 1891
The Council met on Monday July 27th 1891.
Present: His Worship the Mayor, and Aldermen Brighouse, Carroll, Godfrey, Scoullar, Templeton, Hobson, Brown and McDowell.
The minutes of last meeting were read and adopted.
The following communications were received and read:
From the Market Clerk reporting on the market receipts for one week. Filed.
From the Deputy Provincial Secretary acknowledging the receipt of the resolution of Council re the refunding of the poll tax. Filed.
From Wm Seidelman requesting that Powell Street be opened up to the eastern boundary of the City. Referred to the Board of Works.
From the Secretary of the Board of Trade asking for the appointment of a Committee of the Council to act in conjunction with a Committee from the Board, to arrange to have the City properly represented at the coming Toronto Exhibition. Filed.
From the Merchants Tailors and business men of the City praying Council to fix the License for transient traders at $200.00 per year. Referred to the Policy Com.
From Elizabeth Ann Studden on behalf of the ratepayers of the City of Vancouver,
[vol 4 page 435]
serving a Writ of Summons on the Mayor and Aldermen, giving notice of an application for an Injunction to prevent any salary being paid to I.H. Hallett as Police Magistrate and for the refunding of $165.55 already paid to him. Referred to the City Solicitor.
From Dr. Johnston stating that Miss Woodward was sick with scarlet fever and that she would not be fit for duty for six weeks. Referred to the Board of Health.
From R. W. Armstrong Revising Barrister asking the Council to supply him with the names of all parties eligible for insertion on the Dominion Voters List. Filed.
From the Chief of Police reporting on the electric lights. Filed.
After the communications were read Alderman Carroll moved that Mr. R.D. Pitt be allowed to explain to the Council his claims for compensation for the loss of his leg through being run over by the Fire Engine in 1887. Leave was granted and Mr. Pitt explained all the circumstances in connection with the accident but no action was taken by the Council.
The following Reports were received and read.
F.W. & L.
The F.W. & L. Committee met on Wednesday July 20th 1891.
Present: Aldermen Brown, Brighouse and Templeton.
[vol 4 page 436]
It was recommended:
1. That the following accounts be paid:
John Scuitto, Coal oil, etc. $12.85
G.H. Bazley, Horse shoeing 2.00
Tye & Co, Supplies .25
J.M. Buxton, Coal 13.00
2. That the tender of G.A. Fraser & Co for the supply of couplings etc. be accepted at the following rates:
For couplings: $2.80 per set
Gex rings 2.00 per dozen
Gaskets .55 per dozen
sgd. Wm Templeton
Chairman
Moved by Alderman McDowell
Seconded by Alderman Hobson
That the Report of the F.W. & L. Committee be adopted. Carried.
Works No. 22
The Board of Works met on Thursday July 23rd 1891.
Present: Aldermen Brighouse, Brown, Templeton and Godfrey.
It was recommended:
1. That the Fire Inspector be instructed to see that all the provisions of the Fire By-Law are carried out in connection with Mr. Rogers building in course of erection in Block 3, OGT.
2. That Hastings Street be graded so that the Street Railway Co may build its line on said street as per agreement.
3. That the City Engineer be instructed to have the necessary details prepared and that tenders be called for an addition to the Caretaker’s
[vol 4 page 437]
house at the boundary; also for the plastering of the present structure.
4. That Alberni Street be surface graded from Bute Street 4 lots east so as to give access to Mr. Eldon’s residence, the work to be done under the supervision of the Street Inspector.
5. That the City Engineer be empowered to obtain copies of the registered plans of the City.
6. That tenders be called for street signs.
7. That the City Engineer consult with the City Solicitor with a view to having the street numbering by-law amended so as to be more definite.
8. That the City Solicitor be asked to give his opinion in reference to the account of Mr. Potter for work done in locating sewer connections.
9. That the City Engineer go over the streets and see on which it would be most advisable to use the crushed stone from the North Arm quarry.
10. That the C.P.R. Co be requested to extend all streets in subdivision 526 to the water front.
11. That A.K. Stuart’s name be place on the City pay roll at a salary of 65.00 per month.
12. That the Chairman of the Board of Works and the City Engineer make a trip in the interests of the City with a view to examining the street paving in use in the principal cities on Puget Sound and Portland Oregon.
13. That the following contracts be awarded:
Nicola St grading, Boyd & C.
Nelson St grading, Balkwell & Pinto
Princess St grading, Wm Archibald
[vol 4 page 438]
Thurlow St grading, S. Beaumont
Seventh Av grading, D.H. Morgan
Bute St sidewalk, J.B. Thornton
14. That tenders be invited for the following work:
Hornby Street, 6 ft sidewalk past St. Paul’s Church.
Robson St, grading full width from Richards to Cambie.
Grading lanes in Blocks 65 & 75, 541.
Cambie St, 200 ft of sidewalk and crossings.
Harris St, grading from Heatley to Campbell Av.
Grading lane in Block 53, 196.
Grading Hastings Street east.
Keefer Street grading.
15. That the following accounts be paid:
H. Connacher, Seymour St $65.85
H. Lomas et al, Labor 185.00
sgd. S. Brighouse
Chairman
Moved by Alderman Scoullar
Seconded by Alderman McDowell
That the Report of the Board of Works be adopted. Carried.
Finance No.
The Finance Committee met on Friday July 24, 1891.
Present: Aldermen Brown, Carroll, Hobson and Scoullar.
The following accounts were recommended for payment:
J. Miller, Stamps $30.00
News-Advertiser, Ads 10.34
F.W. Hart, Furniture, etc. 86.25
It was further recommended:
1. That cheques for $250, 250 and 150 respectively be made out in favor of W.H. Gallagher, S. Sheppard and E.C. Britton for the ends
[vol 4 page 439]
of their lots on Powell Street in Block 48.
2. That an advertisement be inserted calling for applications for two assessors for the City of Vancouver, one of whom must be thoroughly proficient in the knowledge of the value of buildings, applications to be received up to Friday the 31st inst.
sgd. Wm Brown
Chairman
Moved by Alderman Brighouse
Seconded by Alderman McDowell
That the Report of the Finance Committee be adopted. Carried.
Motions
Moved by Alderman Templeton
Seconded by Alderman Godfrey
That this Council do appoint Aldermen Scoullar, Carroll, McDowell, Hobson and Templeton a Committee to act in conjunction with the Provincial Exhibit Committee having in view the special preparation of the City and Provincial contributions to exhibit, also that the Board of Trade be asked to appoint a similar committee to act in conjunction therewith. Carried.
Moved by Alderman Scoullar
Seconded by Alderman Templeton
That the City Clerk be instructed to forward to the Attorney General a copy of the writ in the case of Mrs. Studden vs the City of Vancouver. Carried.
Moved by Alderman Brown
Seconded by Alderman Templeton
That the City Clerk be instructed to employ assistance to prepare
[vol 4 page 440]
the Dominion Voters List and also to give notice through the newspapers asking all persons to have their names placed on said list before the 15th of August next. Carried.
Moved by Alderman Templeton
Seconded by Alderman Brown
That in the opinion of this Council it is desirable that the City should own and operate the electric lighting, street railway and gas works provided such works can be purchased at a reasonable price. Carried.
The rules were suspended in this case.
Moved by Alderman Scoullar
Seconded by Alderman Godfrey
That the Mayor and Aldermen Brown, Godfrey, Scoullar, McDowell and Templeton be appointed a Committee to enquire into and report to this Council upon what terms and conditions the electric lighting, street railway and gas company works can be purchased by the City. Carried.
The Council then adjourned.
D. Oppenheimer
Mayor
Thos. F. McGuigan
City Clerk
