The Board of Works initially agreed to a proposal from Tait & Sons that they furnish lumber to the City as partial payment of their water rates, but this agreements was overturned by Council. Mr. C. W. Robson and a few neighbours requested water service to Denman Street, but the committee didn’t “see a way clear” to agree unless the residents prepaid sufficient water rates to cover the cost of the pipe. Meanwhile Mrs. Martha Lee threatened to hold the City responsible for any damages to her property that may be caused by fire on account of having no water service.
This document was transcribed in 2022 by Transcribimus volunteer Hal Bell-Irving
Original handwritten document: City of Vancouver Archives Series 31
Volume 7 pages 249 – 256
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[Volume 7 page] 249
Vancouver July 27th 1896
The Council met on Monday July 27th 1896.
Present – His Worship the Mayor and Aldermen Painter, Banfield, Schou, Clandenning, McPhaiden, Brown, Macdonald, Coldwell and Bethune.
The Minutes of last meeting were read and adopted.
Communications
From the Chief of Police reporting on the Electric lights.
Filed
From F. Morgan, Caretaker of the Bathing Sheds, agreeing to fall in with the wishes of the Council regarding the admission of coloured people to the Sheds.
Filed
From F. Gourdean, Deputy Minister of Marine and Fisheries, stating that the Government had no objection to the filling in of the lane to the rear of Blocks 14 & 15, D.L.196, but that the land was not the property of the Dominion Government.
Laid Over
From D. Oppenheimer, asking if the City proposes filling in the alleyway to the rear of Dupont Street.
Laid Over
From F. S. Barnard, asking for a reply to his communication of the 4th inst.
Referred to the Board of Works
From Geof Maxwell Esq. M.P., acknowledging receipt of communication re canal from Fraser River to Burrard Inlet.
Filed
[Volume 7 page] 250
From A. E. Beck, asking for the extension of the sewer from St. Paul’s Hospital to Bute Street.
Referred to the Board of Works
From W. T. Adams, asking for ten days leave of absence.
Referred to the Health Committee
From the City Solicitor, advising that a By-Law be passed to prevent runners and persons soliciting fares.
Referred to the Police Committee
From the City Solicitor, stating that Mr. Goodman could not obtain a remission of taxes.
Referred to the Finance Committee
From the Medical Health Officer, asking that a woman named Julia be taken care of.
Referred to the Chairman and Alderman Banfield with power to act
From J. D. Hall, Treasurer of the 1st of July Celebration Committee, furnishing a statement of the receipts and expenditures and enclosing a cheque for $70.81 being funded balance.
Filed
From the City Engineer, advising that a second water main be laid from the Reservoir to Westminster Ave.
Referred to the Water Committee
From H. T. Hawson, Secretary of the Carnival Committee, acknowledging with thanks the receipt of a communication re grant from Council.
Filed
From W. F. Salsbury, stating that it would be inadvisable at the present time to pursue the question of the erection of a smelter at Vancouver.
Filed
[Volume 7 page] 251
The following Reports were received and read:-
Board of Works
The Board of Works met on the 23rd of June.
Present – The full Board.
Mr. H. H. Spicer interviewed the Board in reference to Bond re refuse burner, at his mill at False Creek.
Resolved that the City Solicitor be instructed to draw up a Bond to be signed by Messrs Spicer & Co. indemnifying the City against any injury from fire resulting to what is known as the Cambie Street Bridge from the refuse burner at Messrs Spicer & Co. mill at False Creek.
Communications
From H. P. Veitch, offering to do the street sprinkling at $4 per day.
Filed
From S. D. Green, asking for street watering round the Court House.
Laid Over
From Miss E. J. Kendall, offering the quarry at “Granite Falls”, 77 acres of land, water power, buildings etc. etc. to the City for $8,300.
Referred to the Engineer to find out terms of payment etc.
From C. C. Bennett, asking for 6 ft walk on Seaton St.
Laid Over for the present
From Bowser & Christie, submitting a claim for damage for Ritchie and Atkins.
Referred to the City Solicitor
[Volume 7 page] 252
From Tait & Sons, stating that they are in a position to furnish lumber to the City so that same can go against their water rates.
Resolved that their request be acceded to.
From F. Foubert, asking for street improvements near Stanley Park Brewery.
Laid Over
Resolved that the following work be ordered for the Chain gang in order named:
1. To clear up beach at English Bay 3 days
2. To fix Front Street past Capt Newcombs 6 days
3. To grade Albert St. Ward 3.
From R. A. Musket re broken plank on Hamilton St.
Attended to long ago
From McLuckie etal, asking for clearing etc at Manitoba St and 6th Av.
Foreman to examine and report
From Thos H. Moore etal, asking for improvements on Victoria St, Mount Pleasant.
Laid Over
From the Secretary of the Trades and Labor Council, asking that $2000 cut off the Carnival Committee be expended in clearing a free public recreation ground.
Laid Over on account of it being too late this year
From Forin & Forin, Solicitors, enquiring whether the City will put in vents at sidewalk on Cordova Street.
Resolved that permission be given to the owners to put in vents, subject to the approval of the City Engineer.
From Geo Martin, C.M.C. South Vancouver, stating that his Council is willing to pay their share of the cost of making the connection between the City’s portion of Ontario Street
[Volume 7 page] 253
at the City limits and the South Vancouver Municipality’s road.
Resolved that Mr. Wood the Contractor be notified to grade the short piece required.
Mr. Dalton, Architect, submitted plans of S. O. Richards Block, Hastings St. for approval.
Plans approved subject to changes ordered by City Engineer in keeping with the requirements of the Fire Limit By-Law.
From John Oben etal, asking for improvements at Park Road
Laid Over
Resolved that the owner of the premises formerly known as the Brunswick Hotel be notified through his agents to remove the old verandah in front of said building as the posts come near the middle of the new sidewalk and are very unsightly.
Resolved that tenders be called up to 4 pm on Thursday 6th August for the following: Single dressed sidewalk on Hastings Street southside between Carroll Street and the “Province” building
Tenders received
Footbridge at Coal Harbour
Ironside & Rannie $1,063
J. Annand $900
G. Griffiths $1,025
Granville St. sidewalk
J.D. Fraser $37 ½ per ft.
S. Sheridan $41 per ft.
C.T. McPhalen $50 per ft.
Resolved at the tender of J. Annand be
[Volume 7 page] 254
accepted for the bridge and the tender of J.D. Fraser for the sidewalk.
The following accounts were recommended for payment:
W. L.Tate & Sons Supplies $83.65
R. Harrison Clark Drive $250.00
J. Ironsides Bridges $32.80
E. Clough Express $10.00
Evans, Coleman & Evans Pipe $8.00
News Advertiser Ads $6.24
H. Maitland Supplies $15.00
Thomas etal Labour $848.45
Sgd H.J. Painter
Chairman
Moved by Alderman Painter,
Seconded by Alderman McPhaiden
That the clause in reference to the purchase of lumber from Tait & Co be struck out.
Carried
Moved by Alderman Brown,
Seconded by Alderman Clandenning
That the clause in reference to the Rock Crusher be struck out.
Lost;
Moved by Alderman Painter,
Seconded by Alderman McPhaiden
That the Report as amended be adopted.
Carried
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee met on Friday July 24th 1896.
Present – Aldermen Brown, Banfield, Painter and Clandenning
The following accounts were recommended for payment:
John Devine Clerical Work $12.50
M. J. James Supplies $2.80
Communications from Wm. Cargill and
[Volume 7 page] 255
and J. B. Roose applying for positions on the City Staff.
Filed
Sgd J.J. Banfield
Chairman
Moved by Alderman Banfield,
Seconded by Alderman Clandenning
That the Report be adopted.
Carried
Water and Market Committee
The Water and Market Committee met on Wednesday July 22nd 1896.
Present – Aldermen Brown, Painter and Clandenning
Communications
From Mrs. Martha Lee, threatening to hold the City responsible for any damages to her property that may be caused by fire on account of having no water service.
Filed
From the City Solicitor, stating that in his opinion Messrs Purdy & Williams had no claim for damages on account of the reservoir contract.
Filed
From Alfred Whitaker, complaining of a waste of water in some parts of the City and a shortness of the supply on Mount Pleasant.
Filed
From C. W. Robson etal, applying for water service on Denman St.
The Committee do not see their way clear to granting this request unless the residents advance sufficient water rates to cover the cost of the pipe.
The matter of rental of right of way for
[Volume 7 page] 256
pipeline through the Indian Reserve at the mouth of the Capilano was left to the Chairman and the City Solicitor with power to act.
The following accounts were recommended for payment:
W. Hooper etal Labour $559.80
Gas Co. Supplies $0.50
Market Hardware Co. Supplies $30.50
Evans, Coleman & Evans Supplies $9.00
McDowell & Co. Supplies $1.80
W.C. Marshall Drainage $1.75
Can Genl Elec Co. Supplies $1.60
Dunn & Co. Supplies $1.00
Clark & Stewart Supplies $9.34
News Advertiser Supplies $2.40
Sgd. Wm Brown
Chairman
Moved by Alderman Brown,
Seconded by Alderman Painter
That the Report be adopted.
Carried
Motions
Moved by Alderman McPhaiden,
Seconded by Alderman Painter
That the following account be paid:
Clarkson & Mayne – Painting @ City Hospital $300
Carried
Notice of Motion
Alderman Coldwell gave notice that at next meeting of Council he would introduce a By-Law to license and regulate runners.
The Council then adjourned.
Henry Collins
Mayor
Thos. F. McGuigan
City Clerk
