Medical Health Officer Halts Dumping Onto Tidal Flats – June 28, 1897

Dr. I. M. MacLean joined the health inspector in recommending a high fence be erected on the North side of Water Street between Abbott and Carrall Streets to prevent dumping on the tidal flats.

This transcript was made in 2023 by Transcribimus volunteer Gerald Soon

Text source: City of Vancouver Archives Series 31
Volume 7 page 625 – 634

[Vol 7 Page] 625

Vancouver June 28th 1897

The Council met on Monday June 28th 1897.

Present – His Worship, the Mayor and Aldermen Painter, McQueen, Neelands, McPhaiden, Clandenning, Brown, W.S. MacDonald, D.G. McDonald.

The Minutes of last meeting were read and adopted.

Communications

From the Chief of Police reporting on the electric lights. Filed

From Admiral Palliser accepting invitation to Vancouver for the 1st & 2nd of July Celebrations
Filed

From the Commander of the Oregon stating that he would be unable to come to Vancouver for the celebrations owing to a previous engagement.
The City Clerk was instructed to write him and state that it was hoped that he might come here in the near future.

From the Hon. W. H. Davies, acknowledging receipt of communication re draw in the C.P.R. Bridge over False Creek and stating that they would not be allowed to proceed without lawful authority.
Filed

From the Daughters of England asking for the free use of the Market Hall for the 29th inst. to raise funds to furnish a Victorian Ward in St. Luke’s Home. The Mayor stated that he had already granted permission.

Moved by Alderman McQueen.
Seconded by “ McPhaiden.
That the Mayor’s action be endorsed.
Carried

[Vol 7 page 626]

From Wm Patterson, Ensign of the Salvation Army inviting the Mayor and Council to attend at the opening of the Food and Shelter Home on Tuesday at 3 P.M.

Moved by Alderman McQueen
Seconded by “ Painter
That the invitation be acknowledged and accepted.
Carried

From the City Solicitor stating that the City would not be responsible for the unsafe condition of Abbott Street Wharf if the approach thereto were closed up.
Referred to the Board of Works

From the City Solicitor asking the Council to obtain the consent of all the property owners and Mortgagees in Block 100 D.L. 196 before a By-Law is submitted
Referred to the Board of Works.

From Alfred Flett, Deputy Minister of Finance acknowledging reply of communication re drill shed site and stating that the matter will be laid before the Hon Mr. Turner on his return.
Filed.

From Mrs. J. Johnstone thanking the mayor and Council for the use of Market Hall on the occasion of Rev L. H. Tucker’s Lecture.
Filed

From M.M. Lemon etal asking the Council to use its influence towards getting the Street Cars to run to Bridge St.
Referred to the Railway Committee

From Miss M.M. Fraser asking the Council to strike of arrears of taxes on certain lots.
Referred to the Finance Committee

From A.H.L. Browne asking permission to erect a shack on Block 33.D.L.541 Filed

[Vol 7 Page] 627

The following Reports were received and read

Water and Market Committee

The Water and Market Committee met on Wednesday June 23rd 1897.
Present – Aldermen Brown, Painter, Neelands and McDonald

It was resolved to further reduce the meter rates to 9 cents per 100 cubic feet for a consumption of 75 thousand cubic feet or over to take effect July 1st 1897.

The following accounts were recommended for payment:-

Gartshore & Co Pipe $3889.89

Armstrong & Morrison “ 2290.42

Thos. Dunn & Co Supplies 93.53

W. Thurston & Co. “ 14.10

Wm Ralph “ 2.30

Robertson & Haskett “ 4.68

McLennan & McFeely “ .90

Thos H. Boyd Pipe line 1760.

B.C. Iron Works Co Supplies 94.81

Water Works Pay Roll Labor 825.80

sgd Wm Brown
Chairman

Moved by Alderman Brown.
Seconded by “ McQueen
That the Report be adopted.
Carried.

Fire and Police Committee

The Fire and Police Committee met on Wednesday June 24th 1897.
Present – the full Board.

The following accounts were recommended for payment:-

J.C. Woodrow Supplies $16.08

Brackman & Ker “ 26.17

B.C.M.T. & T. Co “ 14.81

Robt . Clark “ 2.00

I.M. McLean, to be charged to D. Thomas, Mental Ex. 15.00

S. McPherson Supplies 239.00

[Vol 7 Page 628]

Communications

From Geo Thorpe applying for the position of Special Constable at English Bay Beach.
Filed.

From the United States Fire and Police Telegraph Co. quoting Fire Alarm Boxes at $100 and $95.00 respectively freight and duty paid.
Referred to the Chief of the Fire Brigade to ascertain what quality of boxes are offered.

Resolved that the Chairman be authorized to purchase a flag for the fire hall.

sgd C.A. Coldwell
Chairman

Moved by Alderman McPhaiden
Seconded by “ W.S. MacDonald
That the Report be adopted.
Carried

Health Committee

The Health Committee met on Wednesday June 16th 1897.
Present – Aldermen McPhaiden, Painter, Neelands and Coldwell.

The following accounts were recommended for payment:-

J.C. Woodrow Supplies $47.27

McDonald & co “ 36.48

Dominion Fish Co. “ 6.19

James Carnahan Scavenging 4.50

I.M. McLean Mental Ex 5.

W.J. McGuigan Inquests, etc 35.00

Weeks & Robson Supplies 11.50

Armstrong & Morrison Crematory 43.50

Hicks Bros Hack 12.

C.S. Philp Supplies 13.84

Dr. A. Poole post Mortem 15.

M. Rae Keep of Dogs etc 7.20

J. Munro Express hire 2.

F. Ellison Supplies 32.35

J. Stewart & Son “ 4.85

J. Dodson “ 16.

City Grocery Co. “ 90.24

Pioneer Steam Laundry Washing 68.22

[Vol 7 Page] 629

Champion & White Scavenging $1.50

Communications

From Thos. P. Carter stating that he could raise $35.00 for buying an artificial leg for J. A. Reid the late Pound Keeper. the City to pay the balancing $100.
Laid over pending collection of money by Mr. Carter.

From the City Solicitor stating that the City was liable for the payment of all inquests held in the City when the bodies are found dead in the City whether they are brought in in a dying condition or not.

Resolved that the City Clerk be instructed to write to the Municipalities concerned in the Inquests recently held by the Coroner and ask for the refund of the amount paid out by the City.

From Miss Macfie complaining about the quality of the tea, coffee and new laid eggs delivered at the hospital.
Resolved that the City Clerk be instructed to write to the parties having the Grocery contract and draw their attention the complaint.

From Miss MacFie asking that the passageway between the old and new hospital be temporarily boarded up while the new addition is under construction.
Filed

From Dr. Poole applying for payment for attending one Hill who was arrested for shooting his wife
Resolved that he be informed that the City is not liable.

From Dr I. M. McLean thanking the Council for his appointment as Medical Health Officer and suggesting that forms be printed and supplied to the Medical practi-

[Vol 7 Page] 630

tioners of the City to enable them to report cases of infectious diseases.
Resolved that he be informed authorized to procure the forms required.

From the Medical Health Officer and the Health Inspector reporting that the Sewer outlet near Carrall Street was broken.
Referred to the Board of Works for attention

From the Medical Health Officer and Health Inspector asking that a high fence be erected on the North side of Water Street between Abbott and Carrall Streets to prevent dumping on the tidal flats.
Resolved that the Chairman be empowered to have the fence erected.

From the Medical Health Officer and Health Inspector recommending the destruction of certain unsanitary shacks to the North of Water Street in Block One, O.G.T.
Referred to the City Solicitor

Resolved that the Board of Works be requested to find another place to dump their Street Sweepings instead of on the tidal flats North of Water Street.

Resolved that the duties of the Medical Health Officer be defined as follows:-

  1. To carry out the regulations of the Health By-Law
  2. To attend ordinary Charity Cases of Confinement for $10.00, serious cases requiring Special attention to be dealt with specifically by the Committee
  3. To furnish a nurse for Midwifery cases at $7.50 a case.
  4. To attend small pox cases for $2.50 a visit; if more than one case is attended at a time $5.00 a visit.
  5. To attend sick prisoners free.
  6. To examine lunatics free

sgd D. McPhaiden.
Chairman

Moved by Alderman McPhaiden
Seconded by “ Neelands
That the Report be adopted.
Carried.

Board of Works

The Board of Works met on the 24th of June.
Present – the full Board.

Communications

From F.L. Prior asking for improvements on 10th Av West : Ward 5
Laid over for the present

From R. Morrison referring a condition of Sewer outlet foot of Abbott Street.
Attended to.

From a number of petitioners asking that filling be done while sidewalks have been moved out and in Ward 4.
Laid over

Mr. Dalton submitting a plan for a brick shed to be built in rear of Hudson’s Bay Co’s stores.
Approved subject to being in conformity with the fire limit in every respect.

The following tenders were received and opened:-

G. Griffiths & Ironsides & Ravine

G. Griffiths tender being considered the lowest it was decided to recommend it for acceptance subject to satisfactory sureties being furnished.

The following accounts were recommended for payment:

[Vol 7 Page] 632

A. J. Cates Gore Av ship $190.

B.C. Mills Supplies 89.19

Angus Fraser Westminster Av 250.

S. Elkins etal Labor 709.75

sgd H.J. Painter
Chairman

Moved by Alderman Painter
Seconded by “ McPhaiden
That the Report be adopted.
Carried

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee met on Friday June 25th 1897
Present – the full Board

The following accounts were recommended for payment:-

News.Advertiser Supplies $26.69

S. Erickson Labor 4.40

Chas. George Labor 4.00

The Post Master Stamps 30.

W.E Roedde Supplies 6.00

Communications

From R.H. Cooke asking Hugh Graham be allowed on the Contract for fixing of the Market Shed.
Request granted.

This contract was then approved and authorized to be signed by the Mayor and City Clerk and the Corporate Seal affixed thereto.

From Geo Barkley, Secretary of the Citizens Celebration Committee asking the Council to pay over the sum of $1000 to be applied towards carrying out sports on the 1st and 2nd of July.
Resolved that his request be granted.

from Mr. R. G. Tatlow on behalf of the Brockton Point Association and J.H. Macnab on behalf of the Vancouver Yacht Club asking

[Vol 7 Page] 633

for appropriations for their respective Boards.
Referred to the General Celebration Committee.

From the City Auditor reporting accounts correct for May.
Filed.

From McLean and Oakley asking for bonus of $3,000 in consideration of removing their Bicycle Works to Vancouver.
Laid over for further consideration.

From Lt. Col Worsnap asking that the City Band be allowed to join the Militia and the Band Instruments with them.
Referred to the City Solicitor

sgd Jas McQueen
Chairman

Moved by Alderman McQueen
Seconded by “ Painter
That the report by adopted.
Carried

Motions

Moved by Alderman McQueen
Seconded by “ Painter
That all civic salaries and other fixed payments falling due on the first of July be paid on or before the 30th inst the 1st being a Public Holiday.
Carried

Moved by Alderman Painter
Seconded by “ McQueen
That I. Veitches’ tender for hauling crushed rock be accepted and that each ward be charged the average price of the tender per yard for hauling same

Moved in amendment by Alderman Clandenning
Seconded by Alderman McPhaiden
That this Council call for tenders

[Vol 7 Page] 634

for hauling the crushed rock by ward.
Amendment lost; Motion lost;

The yeas and Nays were taken on the motion as follows:-

Yeas . Aldermen Painter, McQueen and Neelands

Nays. Aldermen Clandenning, McPhaiden, Brown, W.S. MacDonald , D.G. McDonald

Moved by Aldermen W.S. MacDonald
Seconded by “ Clandenning
That the plans for hauling crushed rock be amended and that tenders be called for same to be in by the 8th of July.

Moved in Amendment by Alderman Painter
Seconded by Alderman Neelands
That the clause in the Report of the Board of Works in relation to the awarding of the awarding of the contract for the delivery of crushed rock left in abeyance by the Council on the 25th of May be now adopted as recommended by said Board.

Amendment carried. Motion lost.

Consideration of By-Laws

Moved by Alderman W.S. MacDonald
Seconded by “ Brown
That the By-Law to authorize the opening of a lane in Block 108.D.L. 196 be read a second time.
Carried

The Council then adjourned.

W. Templeton
Mayor

Thos F. McGuigan
City Clerk.