The Consolidated Railway and Lighting Company at 163 Cordova Street (head office pictured here in 1896) submitted a proposal for lighting the City of Vancouver. A six foot sidewalk approved for Quebec Street from 6th Avenue to Front Street (now First Avenue). The Provincial Government advised Council that it would not be building a bridge across the Fraser.
This transcript was made in 2020 by Transcribimus volunteer Darrin Pezer /
Proactive Building Maintenance
Illustration: City of Vancouver Archives AM54-S4-: Bu P171
Exterior of B.C. Electric Railway Co. Ltd. & Consolidated Railway Co. office – 163 Cordova Street
Original handwritten minutes: City of Vancouver Archives
COV S 31 Volume 7 pages 79 – 84
to see or download the original handwritten minutes for this date, click here: part one | part two
[Volume 7 page] 79
Vancouver March 9th 1896
The Council met on Monday March 9th 1896.
Present: His Worship, the Mayor and Aldermen Shaw, Painter, Schon, Banfield, McPhaiden, Clandenning, Brown, MacDonald, Bethune and Coldwell.
The minutes of last meeting were read and adopted.
Communications
From John N Woodward, druggist stating that he was boycotted by the other druggists and asking for protection.
Referred to the City Solicitor
From Evans, Coleman & Evans asking for the loan or purchase of 150 ft of hose.
Referred to the Fire Committee
From F. S. Barnard, President Consolidated Railway and Light Co offering to light the City for 10 years for 27 ½ ¢ per light per night.
Referred to the Light Committee
From the Provincial Secretary stating that the Government would not incur the expense of constructing a bridge across the Fraser River at present.
Filed
[Volume 7 page] 80
From Malcott Richardson, Private Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor acknowledging receipt of communication re the construction of a bridge over the Fraser River.
Filed
From A. M. Robertson Secy (secretary) Medical Board to the City Hospital objecting to the old ward being converted into a woman’s ward.
Referred to the Health Committee
From J. E. Knapp et al asking for a sidewalk on 6th Ave east of Westminster Ave.
Referred to the Board of Works
The following reports were received and read:
Health Committee
The Health Committee met on Wednesday March 4th 1896.
Present: Aldermen McPhaiden, MacDonald and Banfield.
Communications
From Miss Macfie furnishing monthly report.
Filed
From the Health Inspector furnishing monthly report:
From Philip Mager and Walker Bros asking for an extension of time for the completion of their contracts for clearing on the cemetery grounds.
Resolved that they be granted one month’s extension of time.
The following report was received from the Special Committee appointed to report on the question of a woman’s ward:
We your Committee appointed to report on the utility of using the old wing of the City Hospital as a woman’s ward recommend that the ward in the old building be used for that purpose providing that a new ward consisting of one storey building could not be erected at the present time.
We would request that the City Engineer give estimates on building and if
[Volume 7 page] 81
if possible to ask the City to undertake the work.
We would further request that a conference with the doctors and City Engineer be held and a plan drawn up covering all future work as to extension of hospital building.
Sgd D. McPhaiden
“ J.J. Banfield
“ H.S. MacDonald
The City Engineer reported that it would cost $100 to heat the old wing and from $2,000 to $2,500 to erect a one storey ward to the hospital.
The report was adopted and a Committee consisting of Alderman McPhaiden and MacDonald appointed to meet the Medical Board of the City Hospital on Friday at noon.
Resolved that a bottom be purchased for the store at the Isolation Hospital.
Sgd D. McPhaiden
Chairman
Moved by Alderman McPhaiden
Seconded by “ Banfield
That the report be adopted
Carried
Board of Works
The Board of Works met on March 5th 1896.
Present: the full Board
Communications
From James Brown, etal asking for improvements at Cedar Street and one block on 6th Avenue west of said street.
Referred to the officer in charge of the chain gang.
From Ernest Cooper asking for 132 ft of sidewalk (6 ft) to his house on Comox Street.
Granted the contractors now laying sidewalk on that street to lay that portion, asked for at same rate namely 14¢ per foot.
From R. D. Kimmond on behalf of client asking for a change in the Fire Limits By Law,
[Volume 7 page] 82
as the line as it now is passes through a lot on which he desires to build a residence.
Recommended that the change be made in the amendments to the existing By Law about to come up for final reading.
Petitions for opening up certain portions of 8th Ave in Ward 5 were laid over until the estimates are decided.
Resolved that the Ward 5 foreman lay a 6 foot sidewalk as petitioned for on Quebec Street from 6th Avenue to Front Street.
Resolved that the foreman for Ward 2 lay a 3 plank walk on Beattie Street from Pender to Dunsmuir.
The following accounts were recommended for payment:
Denton & Sheridan Jackson Ave etc $216.58
J. D. Fraser Bridge Street 34.11
B. C. Mills Supplies 30.
Layfield & Co “ 2.40
News Advertiser “ 6.95
J. D. Fraser Fencing at Bridge 4.25
C. R. & L. Co Tickets 5.
Leatherdale & Co Hack hire 5.
Sgd H.P. Shaw
Chairman
Moved by Alderman Shaw
Seconded by “ McPhaiden
That the report be adopted
Carried
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee met on Friday March 6th 1896.
Present: Aldermen Banfield, Painter, Clandenning and Brown
The following accounts were recommended for payment:
Van Imp Co Refund by Law Money $51.00
News Advertiser Supplies 4.90
[Volume 7 page] 83
C. P. Telegraph Co Telephone $5.77
Crowder & Penzer Supplies 17.92
Clarke & Stuart “ 25.02
News Advertiser “ 45.
The World P & P Co Ads 17.73
Telephone Co Rents 34.60
Con Ry & L Co Lights 93.47
Communications
From the License Inspector submitting a statement of the probable receipts for the year.
Filed for reference
From the City Solicitor reporting upon the financial standing of Geo Freeman and Joseph Crawford the Bondsmen offered by Archie Robinson.The report was considered satisfactory and the Bondsmen recommended for acceptance.
From the Poll Tax Collector submitting the names of those who paid Poll Tax in the years 1894 & 1895.
Filed for reference
From John Campbell, solicitor for the Hon F. G. Vernon withdrawing assessment appeal.
Filed
Resolved that on the advice of Messrs McPhillips and Williams the case of Haywood vs the City be settled in the terms of their letter of the 8th of February 1896 that is by payment of $350, and taxed costs incurred prior to the 8th of February.
Sgd J.J. Banfield
Chairman
Moved by Alderman Banfield
Seconded by “ Painter
That the report be adopted
Moved in amendment by Alderman Schou
Seconded by Alderman MacDonald
That previous to final approval
[Volume 7 page] 84
of the proposed Haywood settlement, the Council be furnished with a report giving in sufficient detail the grounds of Messrs McPhillips & Williams recommendation on this subject:
Amendment lost, motion carried
Introduction of By Laws
Moved by Alderman Banfield
Seconded by “ Brown
That a By Law be introduced and read a first time to partially exempt from taxation the improvements and buildings erected on lands within the City and being part of the real estate.
Carried
The By Law was accordingly read a first time.
Moved by Alderman McPhaiden
Seconded by “ Coldwell
That the Council stand adjourned until Friday the 13th inst at 7:30 P. M. to take up consideration of By Laws.
Carried
Henry Collins
Mayor
Thos F McGuigan
City Clerk
